Interview from Australia Surfing Life

Josh Kerr took first place honours yesterday in the MP Rip Curl Classic at Duranbah, off the back of news his good mate, and Kerrazy.com filmer, Matty Scorringe has just been diagnosed with leukemia. ASL caught up with Kerrzy for a chat about his win and his mate Matty’s fight.

Hey Josh, congratulations on winning the MP Classic. It’s been a while between waves on the Goldie, how good was it to see some punchy swell about?
Yeah it was great. I finally paddled into waves that were head high! It was really strong onshore, but heaps of fun.

You looked like you were loving the conditions. What were you riding?
I was frothing. I was riding a little 5’5’’ round nose disc called the Rusty Stump. I was like a frog in a sock out there, and I rode it the whole comp.

Jay Phillips opened with a nine in the final, did that make things tough for you early?
You couldn’t hear much out there because of the wind so I didn’t know if I was trailing or if I was winning. Neither of us had a clue until we came to shore so we were just having fun.

Suffer any nerves with the legendary Michael Peterson watching on?
Nah that was all good. There were no nerves. My dad actually lived with him back in the day, so it was ironic I won a comp in his name.

You also won the “Wave of the Weekend” and picked up four cartons of XXXX Summer Bright. What did you do on the wave?
To tell you the truth I honestly can’t remember. I think I did a few turns then an air-reverse and another turn. It was in my first heat of the final day, so a fair bit happened after that.

Have you polished the cartons off already?
I donated one to Asher Pacey. We ended up going to the surf club for a few schooners last night because the slabs were warm. I’ve put the rest on ice.

There’s a ridiculously good list of surfers this year competing in the Breaka Burleigh 4-star. Are you looking forward to it?
Sure am. I get to sleep at home and wander down to the comp, which is nice for a change. It will be good fun, but it’s shaping up to be the world’s hardest 4-star to win!

What’s your plan for the rest of this year?
Freesurf. All the time. I’m going to base myself with the family in Bali for three months as of April, to be a photo slut. Every surf you have over there is a photo shoot. From there we go to California for three-to-four months, then Hawaii, then we’ll be back in Australia just after New Years.

Rusty are behind you the whole way?
Yeah they’re stoked. All my sponsors had a big meeting and they’re all really keen to support me with freesurfing and trying to push my surfing to a whole new level.

Your good mate Matty has just been diagnosed with leukemia. That must have come as a huge shock for you?
Yeah it’s really scary news. It came out of nowhere. He was having a hell time back at home over his birthday, Christmas and New Years. I’ve spoken to him a few times and he’s been in really good spirits, like he always is. He started chemotherapy a week ago.

Were there any symptoms? Was he feeling sick or anything?
He was getting really tired and copping random nose bleeds, so he went to a doctor. They did the blood tests and boom, he went straight to hospital and that was it.

So he went straight into chemotherapy?
Yeah as soon as the doctor did the blood tests they got the results and went to his house, and told him he had to go to hospital straight away. When he walked into the hospital they started doing tests and started chemo.

How’s he dealing with it?
This week it’s going to hit him really hard. It’s going to knock him down. He’s not going to have any energy and will be completely buckled. He’s in good spirits though, and knows he’s going to beat it.

Matty’s been responsible for filming and editing for your blog sight. Is Kerrazy.com going to roll on this year?
Yeah for sure. We’ve got Jimmy Graham on board and he’ll pick right up where Matty’s left off.

What can our readers do to help Matt out?
Well Matt’s going to be in the hospital for about two months before he can go home. His missus had to quit her job to be his number one caretaker so they’ll be living off a minimal government allowance. My wife has put together a Facebook page so anyone can wire donations directly through and we’re also going to do online board raffles. I’m getting all the boys to throw in some signed gear to raffle off so hopefully we can send more funds to help, so he and his missus can live a little more comfortably while they’re in these tough times.

Okay thanks Kerzzy, that all sounds really good. Here’s to a speedy recovery for Matt.
Sweet, thanks a lot, take it easy.

Check out Matty’s Facebook page or go straight through to the donation tracker and swing a little coin his way.