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FIVE QUESTIONS: JAY 'BOTTLE' THOMPSON
Former ASP Tour surfer and current wildcard giant killer speaks out
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March 2, 2009
11650 visits
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The first day of the Quik Pro was pretty much business as usual,
except for one major upset: Jay 'Bottle' Thompson, the 2008 Gold Coast rookie who failed to requalify, took down local favorite Parko and power house Taylor Knox in round one.
Surfline caught up with Bottle to find out what he learned in 2008 and his plans for the coming year. |
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SURFLINE: First off, how'd you manage to get a wildcard entry into the Quik Pro? BOTTLE: Mate, it's been an emotional roller coaster this week. I spoke to Mick Campbell midweek, and he was like, "Bots, yeah mate, I'm definitely pulling out due to injury, so you're on lad!" So I was so stoked to start telling the world I was in. But the next morning I got a text from Mick saying he decided to compete, so all of a sudden I was into this downward spiral of depression, absolutely spewing. Anyways, I got the call from ASP the day before the event, and BANG just like that I was back in. Luke Stedman pulled out last minute. So stoked to get a chance to surf against the world's best in front of my home crowd. What's it mean to you to be back on the tour, even if it's for one event? It's always been a dream to be competing amongst the best surfers in the world, so it means the world to me. I had such a rocky road last year on tour, and before I knew it, I was back on the WQS slugging it out in one-foot slop. But it's all a good experience your first year on tour and I'll take it into my stride this year. "I'm so stoked to get a chance to surf against the world's best in front of my home crowd."
Seems you were training and focusing, getting ready for the event. How did you prepare? I've been training my little pecker off! I have a personal trainer, we have been going mad in the gym, boxing, running, hitting yoga and even sliding a massage in if I get time. I've also been working so hard with my shaper Simon Anderson; we've finally nailed a sweet curve that we are both frothing on. And on top of this I've been filming with my surfing coach working on my technique so I can stop tripping over my massive chin...haha. With 2008 being your rookie year on the Tour, there must be some serious nerves and things to get used to......what was it like in '08 and how has your mindset changed going into '09? First year on tour was basically overwhelming. I learned so much in 2008, even about my body with injuries, boards etc. There are so many elements involved on your rookie year and the guys that have been on tour for some time are leaps and bounds in front of you, and that's why so many rookies end up back on the WQS first year on. I've stored all those losses in the memory bank and it's fuel going into 2009 - I'm just ready to blow up. What are your plans for the rest of the 2009? Obviously, I want back on the ASP World Tour ASAP! So my main goal is to win the WQS this year as quickly as I can, then start focusing and preparing for 2010. I'm so pumped to do a boat trip to Indo midyear and get some photos. I also want to work on my section in the up-coming Reef movie, I've never had an amazing section in a video that I am happy with, and now I have the opportunity so I'm going to embrace it. How'd it feel to beat Parko and Taylor It was my first event for the year, so I really wanted to go into my first event all guns blazing. I've been training so hard and working on my boards and it just all came together and paid off. The feeling when I came up the beach was unbelievable -- I had so much hometown support, I was actually surprised to see how many people were stoked for me. I wasn't even in the event yesterday, and today got the chance to surf against probably my two favorite surfers." MORE SURF NEWS SURFLINE HOME PAGE |