I saw a pic in a mag back in the mid 2000's of a kid about 15 or so tearing the lid off of a right at rocky point. And I said to myself, holy shihatzu man, this is going on my shaping room wall. At the time, I had didn't know much about him, but I was solid about this representing who I shape boards for and going on my wall, because of what a unique high speed power torquing turn it was. Not long after that someone came in my shaping room and said, ho! Billy Kemper! I was just surfing with him earlier out at Sunset. He charges... That pic is still on my wall and Billy has had a full and successful career as an icon of taking charge in big waves in Hawaii.
This is how bullies operate (in no way am I saying this guy is a bully). They build reputations on one side by acting so nice and cool and then with other people they flip it and act completely different.
@@SurfSplendor Kelly certainly doesn't fit my definition. He seems like a reasonably well behaved guy. To be honest I've never come across any "pros in the wild" bad behaviour.
Of course he is going to be nice with Brett. Al might as well have been the Phil Knight of shortboards. Why wouldn't you chum up to try and get on the team/program? Billy is a straight up chameleon without a spine...btw might have a few hobos available for surf reports ;)
Yeah, this account holds no water. Britt has pull in surfing/boardbuilding circles as Billy has in the Hawaii line up They become matey and they both stand to benefit. Nah, not for me.
I saw a pic in a mag back in the mid 2000's of a kid about 15 or so tearing the lid off of a right at rocky point. And I said to myself, holy shihatzu man, this is going on my shaping room wall. At the time, I had didn't know much about him, but I was solid about this representing who I shape boards for and going on my wall, because of what a unique high speed power torquing turn it was. Not long after that someone came in my shaping room and said, ho! Billy Kemper! I was just surfing with him earlier out at Sunset. He charges... That pic is still on my wall and Billy has had a full and successful career as an icon of taking charge in big waves in Hawaii.
Billy is the Man and so was Eric Diaz betta ask someone
RIP Eric Diaz... some truly epic stories there.
This is how bullies operate (in no way am I saying this guy is a bully). They build reputations on one side by acting so nice and cool and then with other people they flip it and act completely different.
thanks, that's a real succinct definition . Can you think of any bullies in surfing? Was Kelly a bully?
@@SurfSplendor Kelly certainly doesn't fit my definition. He seems like a reasonably well behaved guy. To be honest I've never come across any "pros in the wild" bad behaviour.
Billy is the Goat of Toad’s.
Toadally. (Couldn't resist) 🐸
Can’t compare apples to oranges. Kemper and Merrick is most definitely NOT the same as Kemper and a nobody off the street.
Fair point. Britt's words do have a certain gravitas. thanks for your comment
Of course he is going to be nice with Brett. Al might as well have been the Phil Knight of shortboards. Why wouldn't you chum up to try and get on the team/program? Billy is a straight up chameleon without a spine...btw might have a few hobos available for surf reports ;)
Good point, but always useful to at least hear a different point of view. Viva los hobos! 🤙🏼
Yeah, this account holds no water. Britt has pull in surfing/boardbuilding circles as Billy has in the Hawaii line up They become matey and they both stand to benefit. Nah, not for me.
Interesting. You're right, we never know the real workings/motivation behind things. Good input Aaron 🤙🏼
Billy "Ivermectin" Kemper. No thank you.