Do We Appreciate Creed McTaggart Enough?

Do we take him for granted? 

He is universally liked but is he universally adored? Do we hold him as close and as tightly as he deserves to be held?

I should think not. Creed has given us some of the most unforgettable video parts of the past decade. So many, in fact, it’s hard to recall them all. But here are a few that spring to mind: Cult Of Freedom — The Creed Part, Cluster, Strange Rumblings Shangri La, standouts in all five RAGE films, Fun Boyz, Real Axe, Vacuum, Creed of the Dark in Juju, and countless other stunning performances that probably slip through the cracks of memory.

Not to mention, for the past few years, he’s been resurrecting yellowed, gaunt bananas from the early 2000s, believing they represent the pinnacle of board progression for the style of surfing he’s pursuing. In fact, his ability to make riding these boards look so appealing he has inadvertently sparked a grassroots sustainability movement across Australia. 

“You don’t need to get a brand new thousand dollar surfboard. You can just look on Gumtree or go down to the tip, and you can stumble across some amazing boards that fully change your life,” Creed said a while back. 

A movie star, and a philanthropist. What a guy. 

Needless to say, he’s a relentless sort, but he doesn’t just channel that work ethic into surfing. He’s got a creative streak, too. First, there was WASH, his punk band, with Beau Foster on the tubs and Ellis Ericson on guitar. Together, they penned a brooding ditty about wooing the adult film siren, Sasha Grey. Deserves to be velvet-framed, IMO. And, more recently, Cheap Gloomer, his solo project. A little less noise, a little more croon. The swagger of a post-habit Nick Cave.

Since relocating to Yamba a few years ago, Creed’s found himself with more time on his hands. And so, to occupy himself, he turned to painting. Took to it with such gusto and ferocity, in fact, that he had his own exhibition in Japan last year.

And today, an excerpt from that very part of the world, from Creed’s latest jaunt through Southeast Asia, under the new GERAMANIA series — a monthly spectacle featuring a RAGE team rider. Last month, we were graced with Shane Borland’s part; this month, it’s Creed, surfing in Indonesia, skylarking across Southeast Asia.

A well rounded chap, then. Good in the juice, in the air, on rail, and creative when the waves shrink. Has an ear for music, the filanges for art, and creates both exceptionally well. Body painted like a biker, yet with the charm of a friendly neighbour. There’s only one Creed.