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RUDY PALMBOOM: SOUTH AFRICA’S NEXT BIG THING
Surfer, June 5th 2009

By Jeff Mull

Rudy Palmboom’s a soft-spoken gent from the Dark Continent with an intense addiction to coffee. When he’s not sipping on Arabica beans and frothed milk, Palmboom’s globetrotting and making a name for himself as one of the strongest junior surfers coming out of South Africa. If you’re not familiar with Mr. Palmboom, take note: he’s as legit as they come. Recently, we sat down with the Saffa to get his take on the future of junior surfing, growing up battling Jordy Smith, and what’s it like to call South Africa home.

Can you tell us what it’s like growing up as a young surfer in South Africa?

It’s pretty cool. I think we’ve had an advantage because of our variety of great, uncrowded waves. And there’s only a minority of professionals which keeps it pretty competitive. I’ve grown up frothing on surf movies and continuously trying to improve my own surfing, but it has been difficult breaking into the international scene with confidence because our country isn’t nearly as established as Oz or the US. It’s all good and well being a pro in South Africa, but it definitely is a good challenge to break out into the international arena and get in the mix. Jordy has done it, and I think it’s opened a lot of eyes and a lot of us are pushing hard. We’re starting to realize that we are just as good as the rest of the world.

Once Jordy stepped onto the scene, did it feel like there was more of a spotlight placed on young, South African surfers?

I think so. It just opened up a lot more opportunities for us, because Jordy showed the surfing world that a South African kid can surf really, really good. Before that I think we were just making up the numbers, and now he is leading the pack and proving that we deserve to be up there with the rest. He has given us a lot more confidence too. Jordy and I were always in the same division since we surfed in the Unde-10s, going head to head quite often. I mean he’s always been a freak but it’s been unreal to see him step it up!

How about your upbringing? I understand that your parents run a surf camp in South Africa. What’s that like having all of those different types of people constantly coming in and out of your home?

It definitely has its ups and downs. We’ve had the place for around 10 years and I’ve met some of my best friends and the coolest people I know through our spot. All sorts—surfers, backpackers and groups come stay with us. Some people have ended up getting an apartment and living here after just spending time for a holiday. It’s a really cool spot and my parents try to keep it mellow and beach-resort orientated with a family vibe. We have had some really dodgy people come through on occasion but they are few and far between. As a whole it has been a great learning experience in that it has taught us to not be judgmental and to be tolerant of others.

Can you talk about how you got into surfing and what the waves are like near your home?

My dad got me into surfing when I was around 6, he’s always loved surfing and is a legend in South Africa. He still gets more amped than anyone I know. Our house is just in front of Ansteys Beach, which is where I surf mostly. It’s a fun, unpredictable wave and the banks are always changing so there’s always something new which is cool. About a five-minute walk down the road is Cave Rock, which is my favorite wave, there’s a take-off spot in front of the tidal pool and another in front of the rock, and it’s just a really square, heavy barrel.

Is there anyone or anything that you really look towards for inspiration with your surfing?

My dad for his passion and energy, he’s 50 and surfs for four to six hours when it’s good, and still gets more barreled than me. Always looked up to Taj Burrow’s whole approach, also Dane Reynolds and now the guys my age like Jordy, Julian, and Dusty.

I heard you’re a coffee addict…

My dad used to make me coffee in the mornings when I was younger, but I really got into it when I hit the U.S. and discovered Starbucks. I don’t have anything fancy, I just like my straightforward latte with skim milk. Ha…pretty gay but it’s little changes that keep you healthier! At home I just have instant coffee cause I’m lazy. I just have lots of it.

Where do you see South Africa as a country—not necessarily surfing related—going in the next decade?

I’m very positive about South Africa. There’s so much opportunity to grow, and everyone who comes to visit falls in love with the place. The only downfall is the crime, but hopefully that will improve as time goes on. It’s just different areas though, and you learn about the right places to go and simple, general rules that you live by and you’ll be okay for sure. We don’t experience any crime or anything different in our daily lives to you guys. The place is beautiful though, such great people and places and diverse cultures.

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