In The Mix How to Be A Player

In: In The Mix by doclach 0 Comments Fri 22nd Apr '11

Tags: Ben Player , Viking , Doc , Western Australia , BOX

The name Ben Player is synonymous with bodyboarding worldwide. Two times World Champ and a known charger, Ben was well equipped to take on the solid conditions at the Box Pro. Here's an insight to what went though the man's head as he took the Box beast on.

Interview by Doc. Shots by Maxted.

FZ: Thanks for taking the time to do an interview Ben. No easy heats in this event, how did you find the new format of a guaranteed 3 rounds to kick off?

BP: It's really cool as you get more opportunities to surf, but there's still as much pressure to get a good result in every heat. I think that format would be amazing in really good waves and the level of riding would be so high, as you have those other two rounds to get a result. I think this format is best for the riders that entered into that last round with low points, or needing a first or second result as they will just go nuts in the hope to get the big scores to win that heat.

Some tough heats at Box. Can you talk us through a couple? Firstly Amaury, Dubb and Bennett where you came out on top with a 13.75?

Yeah, the conditions weren't amazing but the thing you have to remember is that you only need two waves in a heat. In that heat I got an 8.0 in the last minute which counted as my second wave. I really wanted to get three firsts in the trials rounds to make sure I got a good seeding for the main event, I got Magno.

On the other end of the scale, versing Magno in Heat 7 of Round 4?

Yeah, Magno was 15th seed going into that round. He ended up getting the highest combined wave total of that round with a 9 and an 8, so my theory on getting a seed was totally incorrect as I got smoked.

What moves are needing to be pulled and where to get through the heats?

I backed into the corner straight away in that heat as Magno got a 9 straight up for a double barrel and then he capitalised a few minutes later with an 8. I had nothing the whole heat and couldn't get anything above a 7. I had a shocked in other words and Magno had a blinder.

The media side has shown improvements this time around. Word on the street is that the style masters of Movement Mag are involved. What are the lads up to and what improvements to the media coverage are they looking to achieve?

Yeah, it's pretty much all of the crew that make the magazine do the media for the competition. I think they are doing an amazing job but they work so hard. Those guys survive on around three hours sleep a night around competition time to try and get the best quality gear out to the viewers. I take my hat off to them!

How is it having Box back on the calendar?

It's great, however I would like to see a longer waiting period in the future so we can try and get some clean and big days.

What was one of your fave things about competing years ago that is different to now?

I have always wanted to win, who doesn't I guess. It's a part of human nature to battle with people and sport is the most humane way of going to battle as no one gets hurt, well no-one hurts each other anyway, most of the time. When you surf conditions that are challenging it feels exactly like a war, with explosions and all of the rest of it. It can be a life and death out there.

And what would be something that hasn't changed that would be refreshing for the sport?

I think it's heading in a pretty positive direction at the moment. It's the healthiest I've seen it for sure.

The new Movement Mag (Issue 36) is due out any moment. Any hints as to what be hidden in those pristine landscape pages?

I try not to get too involved into the content of the magazine, the guys that make it have it all under control... I can tell you that it's got a cool feature of Iceland and the best gear from Hawaii.

Replete with the Viking DVD, issue 36 is going to be quite the score. How did you find doing business with the crazy but ever resourceful Zion lads - any raping or pillaging in the deal?

Haha! Nah, it was pretty easy to be honest with you. Mattick and myself have been friends from way back so it only seemed natural to do something like this together.

You were looking damn fit and well at the Viking prem in Thirroul (many weren't by the end of the night - looking at you Swanny!). A lot of the groms ask about training for high end boog. Firstly what are your training secrets? And secondly any tips you got from Koots?

I always try and surf as much as I can, and that's in small waves. I think the best training for surfing is surfing. If there's no waves I swim a lot and every second day I do a series of light weights and core strength work.

So, no training tips from Kootalicious then? Anyway, I just got a text from a hardcore boog mate in Vicco while I was writing this and told him what I was up to. He simply said  "BP - the **** charges". I spoke to Toby on the phone today too, the Player lads have a good set of gonads without question. Do you reckon it's a genetic thing? Or just from pushing each other growing up?

I think going hard comes with growing up with a brother. You kind of push each other and never want to back down. Charging comes with experience, and I guess after 20 years on the boog I'm pretty experienced. I love the buzz you get surfing a heavy wave, losing control for second and thinking your dead and coming through it is a pretty amazing feeling.

Just a quickie as we finish up this interview Ben, you keen to do a follow-up before Arica?

Sound good mate, keep me in the loop! Cheers mate.