Kerby Brown

Full name

Kerby Thomas Brown

AKA

Browns

DOB

19/05/1983

Hometown

Kalbarri, Western Australia

Favourite wave

Gnarloo

Stance

Goofy

Entourage

In my entourage I wouldn't have anyone to include because I have the funniest bunch of friends I could ask for. It's usually a mix of my brother Courtney, Craikey, Rayner, Riley, Dino, Schlog, Seabird... the list goes on.

What does it mean to you personally to be on the West Team?

I'm proud to be a part of a really good Western Australian core company. I'm really happy to represent West, they are a super cool bunch of crew and it's really cool what they are doing as a company. And their suits are insane!

Surfing forte

Free surfer. I surf all size waves but I'm usually chasing the biggest swells I can find.

What motivated you to follow this path?

Surfing big scarey waves is definitely my passion. I just love not knowing what to expect, especially exploring new un-surfed reefs. I used to compete a lot when I was younger but I was very frustrated from the lack of waves. When I had the opportunity to chase big waves around the world I never looked back.

What is the furthest distance you have travelled to catch one swell? Where was it and was it worth it?

I have been on so many crazy long journeys it's hard to pin point one. I've jumped on a plane from Perth to Sydney, Sydney to Papeete in Tahiti the day before a big swell and arrived late that night to surf the next morning.

A more usual mission might be just last week I drove from Kalbarri to Esperance (14 hours) then a two hour drive from Esperance to a beach where we drove along for about 45 minutes, then a 40 minute jetski ride out to sea to surf this ridiculous wave. It couldn't be more satisfying when you score and we did.

Longest surf session?

It's usually about 3 to 4 hours. Longest I'd say 6 hours.

Best surf ever?

8 foot Gnarloo flawless barrels, glassy conditions, just a few of my good friends on the take off, super heavy but perfect at the same time. Couldn't ask for much more could you?

Describe your worst surf trip or worst wipe-out?

We are constantly going on huge missions that are always a gamble so every so often we drive for days and spend hours on jetskis for nothing. Usually when you get skunked it’s really bad but you just have to cop it on the chin.

My worst wipeout resulted in a very smashed up face, broken nose, 2 black eyes and 20 stitches. Injuries are a common occurance surfing the waves we do.

What do you never leave home without?

I have my iPod with me at all times. Music is essential for surf trips.

Describe your ultimate night out...

A weekend in Las Vegas is all time. We did it last year for Yadin's 21st. All your best mates let loose in that crazy city would be hard to top. Might try Ibiza next.

Plans for summer 07/08

In summer there aren’t a lot of waves but I might be going to the Philipines to some unchartered areas to explore. I usually go to Hawaii for February and enjoying the festive season in between.

If you weren't a surfer...

I'd be a bikie in one of the gnarly bikie gangs.

The hard road...

A lot of injuries... I've spent months and months out of the water due to heavy wipeouts. It's always the hardest thing trying to overcome broken limbs and get back to the point where you're 100% confident again.