Watch: The O'Riginals with Dan Johnson

Stu Nettle picture
Stu Nettle (stunet)
Swellnet Dispatch

In their latest series, O'Neill have managed to shine a light on low key surfing lives, finding gold amongst ordinary suburban lives.

In this instalment, O'Neill front up with Dan Johnson who had the good fortune of a teenage seachange to Crescent Head, the vibrant holiday town he'd visited so many times. Dan realised that outside of holidays the town kicks back a few gears, but that left space and time for an enterprising kid to blossom. He built a shaping bay under the house and set to work on his own label - Snarly Surfboards.

Over the years we've heard different versions of the same story - Michael and Tommy Peterson to name just one - but self expression through surfing is a concept that we'll never tire of.

 

Comments

simba's picture
simba's picture
simba Wednesday, 22 Aug 2018 at 5:18pm

jeez at the start of that clip i thought i was watching a section from morning of the earth......

Elliedog's picture
Elliedog's picture
Elliedog Wednesday, 22 Aug 2018 at 6:36pm

Wonderful and refreshing. Have seen this fella in the water a bit. Always smiling and having a ball. Would love to see him surfing some good waves.

freeride76's picture
freeride76's picture
freeride76 Wednesday, 22 Aug 2018 at 7:05pm

I know people hang shitt on finless surfing but it makes riding soft point breaks so much fun.

stunet's picture
stunet's picture
stunet Wednesday, 22 Aug 2018 at 7:16pm

You often slide friction free, Steve?

freeride76's picture
freeride76's picture
freeride76 Thursday, 23 Aug 2018 at 9:53am

Had my phases Stu....did a whole winter last year Dawn patrolling with my daughter in small point surf, riding a Bryan Bates Drifter, which is basically finless with some micro keels for a tiny bit of directional control.
really nice drag free feeling when you get that high speed highline drift going.

Billyw's picture
Billyw's picture
Billyw Wednesday, 22 Aug 2018 at 8:04pm

what a sick little series this is! surfers surfing - love it

zenagain's picture
zenagain's picture
zenagain Wednesday, 22 Aug 2018 at 8:40pm

Made me dizzy just watching it:)

Barrie Delves's picture
Barrie Delves's picture
Barrie Delves Wednesday, 22 Aug 2018 at 9:34pm

The surfing and attitude are great. Apart from the first part of the video though it's pretty obvious that he's one of the leggie free brigade so lost my interest as these guys a a blight on surfing

indo-dreaming's picture
indo-dreaming's picture
indo-dreaming Thursday, 23 Aug 2018 at 5:33pm

Oh man, i was kind of digging the video and guy until you pointed that out, now my perspective is totally changed.

sunhil's picture
sunhil's picture
sunhil Wednesday, 22 Aug 2018 at 10:26pm

Gee Dan looks and sounds like Blake Oldfield....the ex world champ from Mucca Bay.

blindboy's picture
blindboy's picture
blindboy Thursday, 23 Aug 2018 at 9:05pm

It reminds me of the side-slipper era. I had a 5'8" single fin with a fin about the size of the tail fin on a thruster but further forward. You could do a lot of the same stuff but with a bit more drive down the line. It was a huge amount of fun ....... for a couple of months.

JackStance's picture
JackStance's picture
JackStance Thursday, 23 Aug 2018 at 9:37pm

Who made the music?

I guess I should watch it with the sound off....

That was a bad idea.

I guess the music is important.

So...

spencie's picture
spencie's picture
spencie Friday, 24 Aug 2018 at 6:53pm

Was enjoying it too until Barrie pointed out the no leggie.

mattlock's picture
mattlock's picture
mattlock Saturday, 25 Aug 2018 at 10:33am

Is the poo stance a prerequisite for finless boards. Looks like he needs to get on to Frog's AirP&Poop app.