Beginnings

When and where did you first start surfing? – First stood up on a board in Newquay in 1967 – bought a board the following year & brought it back to Scotland.

How did you get into it? – Went to Cornwall on holiday & just had to try it.

What do you think helped you progress your skills? – Buying my own board, & then it was very much teach yourself – there were no videos or lessons to be had. I fell off a lot!

Who were your surf buddies back then? – Bill Batten & Ian Wishart from Edinburgh, plus over the next few years various Edinburgh based guys who took up the sport.

Were you one of the first to surf any Scottish breaks, and if so, can you say where? – Pioneered most of the South East beaches and reefs but can’t say for sure if I was the first to surf them – we were all trying new spots, but because Pease Bay was so uncrowded, there was no real need to go anywhere else. 6 in the water at Pease was a crowd! Also Pat Kieran & I (we believe) were the first to surf Skirza.

Then, Now, Best and Worst.

First Surf wagon - Mini

Present surf wagon – Audi A4 Quattro

Favourite surf wagon & why was it so good? – none really – I just like to get to a place quickly, so I’ve never owned a van or a camper – just go by car then camp or B & B.

First Wetsuit – Started surfing with no wetsuit – couldn’t afford one. Then got a diving suit jacket with a beaver tail – surf suits were not available. My next suit was 6mm jacket & separate bib fronted trousers trousers – it was like wearing cardboard (12mm thickness & you couldn’t move). First one piece was a Second Skin 5/4 custom, which was brilliant.

First Board – Bilbo 9ft 6” pop out

Present board – Fluid Juice 6ft 6” thruster

Favourite Scottish Wave – White Sands & anywhere uncrowded that’s offshore & perfect!

Favourite Foreign wave - Hossegor

Favourite British Surfer – none – but the standard in Scotland generally has really improved, especially recently.

Favourite International Surfer – Phil McDonald

Coldest Session? – Surfed Skateraw with Davey Long about 1985 – air temp was minus 14C – the previous night it was minus 23C. We stuck it for 20 mins & had 2 waves each, then we jumped in the car & went back to mine to change in the garage. After a hot shower & hot drinks, we went out to get the boards off the car, but the bungees had frozen to the boards, and we had to pour hot water over them to get the boards off the rack. That was an awesome cold spell that lasted for weeks.

Worst Surfing Experience? – Super long hold down at Hossegor – thought that was it. Cracked ribs at Thurso East when I wiped out and landed on the board followed by the lip in a crushing wipe out. Other than that, just the usual bumps & scrapes.

What is your signature move? – Trying to stand up – I am getting on a bit!

You and the SSF

Have you surfed competitively and if so, what were your best results? Any titles? – Scottish Champ in 1975 – represented Scotland at Eurosurf and other international contests such as Scotland v Ireland.

Any other encounters with the SSF? – Was secretary for many years after it first started, so a lot of the early years were down to me Bill and Ian.

How many surfers do you think there are in Scotland? – summer 5000 winter 1000 – why do they all show up at Pease at the same time!

What do you think is the way forward for the SSF and Scottish surfing? – Promoting all surfing, not just elite surfing (Scottish Champs) by events with a social side (Clans). I would like to see the Scotland v Ireland contest re-established – it was always a great social event & would be a good opportunity for our elite team to be supported by other SSF members, plus every second year we would travel to Ireland (with our supporters).

And finally, what keeps you stoked? – it’s still a buzz taking off on a good shaped wave.

Thank you for your time.

Please email back to wee_ang@hotmail.com, or post to Angie Fraser , 2 Ardiffery Cottages, Hatton, Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, AB42 0SD.