California dreaming

Been wondering what happened to Dean Simpson; the Cobble's King, leash-less legend and Millers style-meister? Turns out he's hopped across the pond to the States. Caught up with him to find out what he's up to.

Whassup!? Heard you’ve ducked over to the States – whereabouts are you at?

Yeow! Right now…..as in today, I call San Clemente home. Home of Trestles but even more so a mecca of logging.

Fresh off the plane

California! Home of the Beach Boys and epic right points. What’s the surf been like?

As I hit the shores (well, the choas of LAX, then the chilled shores of Socal aka Southern California) I’ve heard this often:  “Dude, you came at the right time” or “ some of the best swells in a long time man!”. It has been really fun, have been logging a lot but there's also been some solid waves to be had - when I have to pull out the Mikey Meyer Majestic Majenta.

San Diego sliding

Which are the spots that you’ve been surfing regularly? Anything which reminds you of home?

I surf a spot called Churches, which is almost like Millers on a good day; had my top surfs there. SanO (San Onofre) would surpass anyone’s California surf stereotype by far. It’s pretty insane, the vibe, and the old cars - which wouldn’t be the same without the cruisers in them chilling from morning till night during the middle of the week! I now understand what the 60’s surfers are on about when the reminisce about the old days – everyone here has surf character. Not on purpose but, like a unwritten old surf comic being played out. It’s rad.

Have you tried out the famous log spots like Rincon or Malibu yet?

Rincon is like Jbay, but a hundred more people a square metre with worse waves and less scenery!  Places like Cardiff by the Sea, Swammis, Blacks have been really fun. Malibu and I haven’t met with but we have a date!

And how’s the crowd factor & the vibe in the water over there?

If you surf the well known places, specially the shortboard spots, its pretty hectic. Too much so for me.

Board expo with Tom Morey, Donald Brink, Carl Ekstrom and Ryan Burch

What’s the standard of logging like over there compared to home?

The logging scene is full of guys and chicks killing it. The culture here is surfing, and everything emphasizes that; from the coffee shops, music, shaping expos, kids, ballies, and young shapers learning from old ones. South Africa needs hungry young shapers and the ballies need to teach and pass on knowledge of shaping and life. Thanks to people that are doing that already.

Donald Brink log....with Donald Brink

New Reunion custom suit

Did you take some boards over or are you begging, borrowing and stealing?

I brought the Mikey Meyer Majestic majenta 6’2 single over with my. But after borrowing a Donald Brink, which is one of the longboard shapers killing it on the logging scene over here (and a fellow South African), he’s hooked me up with a rad log.

So is the move to Cali just an extended vacation or are grafting whilst you over there?

Just cruising.

Any plans to do some surf missions north or south?

Planned! Yeah, been down to Mexico already and as far up as the Ranch; but the two trips I want to do is drive from Socal to Oregon up north, as well as head down to Costa Rica.

Been over there long enough to start missing anything back home yet?

The three F’s….. FOOD, Friends and Family