Torren Martyn // Desert Drainers - video

Stu Nettle picture
Stu Nettle (stunet)
Swellnet Dispatch

What do you call this backside barrel riding style of Torren Martyn? Walk the board pig dog? Shuffle and grab..?

I'm not sure, but it's as stylish as hell, and difficult too, what with all his weight forward of the mid-point leaving no room for adjustment and no weight over the fins either.

Stylish it may be but it ain't totally unique, a deep scan of the archives finds two other surfers who employed a similar method of staying tight while backside: John Peck and Owl Chapman, both at Pipeline and both over forty years ago. See photos below.

That Torren breaks it out at the down the line waves of the West Australian desert introduces another level of difficulty.

Filmed by Ishka Folkwell for Need Wetsuits.

Above. John Peck at Pipeline, 1963

Owl Chapman, Pipeline, mid-70s (Steve Wilkings)

Comments

Legrope's picture
Legrope's picture
Legrope Wednesday, 22 Mar 2017 at 12:07pm

The tube a 1:37 is the one that would've made his trip worthwhile. The others are pretty sick too. Good amount of time in the shade.

spenda's picture
spenda's picture
spenda Wednesday, 22 Mar 2017 at 2:48pm

What's he riding? Looks quite flat rockered up front.

stunet's picture
stunet's picture
stunet Wednesday, 22 Mar 2017 at 3:54pm

Not sure. I trawled back through his IG account but there's no dims for the boards in those sessions. 

Definitely a twin but. Pretty much all he rides.

lostdoggy's picture
lostdoggy's picture
lostdoggy Wednesday, 22 Mar 2017 at 5:08pm

Those twins really suck in the barrel.
;)

eat-your-vegies's picture
eat-your-vegies's picture
eat-your-vegies Wednesday, 22 Mar 2017 at 5:43pm

Sick

And i didnt see him step off a jetski LOL

simba's picture
simba's picture
simba Wednesday, 22 Mar 2017 at 5:46pm

What a contrast to modern short boards with its flat rocker but gee he was making it look easy which it isn't. Looked like Tombies which from what i hear is heavy as.Guys a charger.

ringmaster's picture
ringmaster's picture
ringmaster Wednesday, 22 Mar 2017 at 7:14pm

Tombstones is pretty fuckn heavy but he's surfing the better known cousin a little further South which is slightly less so.

goofyfoot's picture
goofyfoot's picture
goofyfoot Wednesday, 22 Mar 2017 at 7:16pm

That Owl Chapman pic is fucking epic

crg's picture
crg's picture
crg Wednesday, 22 Mar 2017 at 7:49pm

A classic pic for sure

fuhrious's picture
fuhrious's picture
fuhrious Wednesday, 22 Mar 2017 at 8:06pm

I'm with you Doggy! Those twins and tubes don't mix! Stu?

stunet's picture
stunet's picture
stunet Thursday, 23 Mar 2017 at 10:00am

I'm feeling like a fifteen-year-old emo..........misunderstood.

 

udo's picture
udo's picture
udo Thursday, 6 Apr 2017 at 9:57pm

The Sweet Spot Torren Martyn : Vimeo.
From The edge Of The Earth :Vimeo..... twinfins again Stuart
Fuck is this boy good !