The first time I saw Shaun Gossman surf was during Cyclone Wati in 2006.

Watching a well-tanned nude nut come flying down the line at Snapper my immediate thoughts were that it was that other snooker ball that surfs OK. As the rail spray got closer I realised that it wasn't Slater at all. In fact it wasn't anyone I recognised, though he could surf really bloody good. Where many in the crowd played it safe lest they fall and give up the wave, this fella was all full-blooded hits and buried rails, ignoring the vultures ready to jump on his carcass.

I found out his name was Shaun Gossman, an ex-Saffa now settled on the Goldy. In the subsequent years I saw him surf every time I paddled out at Snapper, or so it seemed. Force of presence had endowed him with an uncanny ability behind the rock at Snapper, not just to jag the sets but to ride them fully and comprehensively. He had the place on a string.

He's had quite a bit of success out there too, has Gossman, winning the Quik Trials a number of times and getting into the main event. He's also an MP Classic winner.

Recently Adam Weathered caught Gossman in typical form, taking it apart at the southern end of the Goldy with style and precision.//STUART NETTLE