Pro surfer Glyndon Ringrose and wife Kate

LLOYD HARKNESS, 1 May 2003, Geelong

LLOYD HARKNESS spoke to professional surfer GLYNDON RINGROSE about Jesus, his family and, of course, surfing...

Tell us a little about who Glyndon Ringrose is...
I live in Phillip Island, Victoria. Work for Island Surfboards shaping and coaching. I also work for Quiksilver as a sponsored surfer and coach for the juniors. I'm married to a beautiful woman called Kate who has just had my first child, Seth. I have had an interesting upbringing being born to missionary parents in Vanuatu before moving to Fiji and then to the Solomon Islands before finally coming to Australia.

How has surfing shaped the Glyndon Ringrose of today?
Surfing has been a big part of my life since we arrived in Aussie. I saw a picture of someone taking a huge drop on a wave when I was a kid and just knew that was what I would do one day and so I did. I started small but soon found myself riding the huge waves in Hawaii on the world tour as a pro surfer

What connection have you had with Christian Surfers?
The main connection I had at the start was with Jay Pinkster who has been a chaplain on the circuit and every now and then they would have a camp on Phillip Island which I would join in on. Now we have a little study and a growing Christian Surfer community here.

What sustains your faith when you are constantly on the move from one event to the next?
I have been blessed with a wife who travels with me and together we pray every morning and night taking time to read some of the Bible and understand all the wonderful promises Jesus Has for us.

Glyndon Ringrose in action

What would you consider are the top three ingredients for making it on the pro circuit?
Commitment , perseverance, and faith.

How do you prepare for an event?
By having everything right. My boards, (that I'm) physically and spiritually strong and understanding all conditions.

Is it hard to retain a natural love for the sport in such a highly competitive environment?
No. The rush of getting a tube or just getting a good wave is still the same.

What is the greatest thrill you've had in the water and out of the water on the pro circuit?
In the water it would have been surfing Tahiti and getting a perfect ten in front of my peers. Out of the water when some one wants to talk about Jesus and the wonderful things He does.

Everyone has certain moves they get a real kick out of pulling off. What are some of your favorite moves?
A nice big floater and a good barrel.

God gives everyone something he wants them to try to pass on to others. What do you try to pass on?
That love is the most important thing. Everything hangs on this commandment.

You were recently involved in a surf video called The Outsiders. Tell us a little about that...
(It's) a movie put together by Jessie Schlunts. He asked me to spend some time shooting a new video in Queensland last year surfing around Surfers Paradise. I thought it would be impossible to take time off to do so but found myself having to be up there for other reasons. It's amazing how the Lord works things out. I haven't seen it but it promises to be goooooood.

Finally, as a board shaper, what would you say are the essential features of a board for general surfing conditions in Victoria?
Generally all boards go, just some go better than others for different people. In Victoria we have a lot of flatter waves that means you need a board that will give you more drive to get where you need to go.