Lee Wilson Will Never Join The QS
"For the first time in my life, I felt like a pro athlete, I could go out and not worry if I was going to break a board"
Lee Wilson is a very well-rounded surfer, as demonstrated in this terrific new self-titled edit with Brixton, all filmed in Wilson’s hometown of Umalas, Indonesia.
Watching the clip, and being reminded of his remarkable variety, we couldn’t help but wonder, among other things, why Wilson hasn’t taken a run at the ‘QS. Stab found Lee on a muggy afternoon, halfway through his family holiday in Udaya, to catch up on what he’s been getting himself into as of late.
Lee, this new clips a banger. Had us scratching our heads: why aren’t you making a run at the tour? You got any plans for the ‘QS this year?
Lee: The Komune comp and Padang will be the only ones for me, they are too much fun. I have no interest in competing (in the ‘QS) at all. I purely want to film, surf and condition my body.
Competition is just so…. you know? At times it’s unfair, and I watch guys get ripped off, it makes me want to just turn (the WSL) off. I’m entitled to like surfing in its purest form. Now I will just focus on free surfing, creating better videos, leaving enough time to be with my family.
Speaking of your family, how are you handling all the madness around the volcano? Has the anticipated eruption affected you guys?
At the moment, it’s not too bad. Obviously, if it erupts it will be, but hopefully that won’t happen…I’m no geologist, but I have a feeling the lava has turned to stone, it’s been getting hammered with rain and—finger crossed—stopped bubbling. The thing with Indo right now, the mayor is really pissed off, everyone is asking for free shit. I mean, all the businesses and community have been coming together, but there is always those trying to take advantage of a bad situation. Most of the people taking advantage are in places which won’t be directly affected, which is really lame.
Well, glad you guys aren’t stressing. Tell us about this edit. All super recent footage, no? You’ve been busy.
Yeah, we had a month-long window to film this, and we got it done. In reality, it's Bali..... there is a lot of opportunity to surf and score waves. Although people still come up to me and say “We’ve seen all this, we’ve seen you surfing in Bali, why don't you go on more trips?” I'm standing there thinking, “Yeah, I'd love to go to Namibia! But I don't have that sort of money,” so I make do with a backyard that's better than most.
What’s the story with the creative direction on this one?
All the graphics and images are my own, I took a bunch of film photos and a few didn't come out the way I had thought they would, but we decided to use them anyway. If you use interesting forms in your clips, it can be so important.
You’ve been riding for Chilli for a while now, how has James’ boards changed your surfing?
It’s been so good, man, working with Chilli! When I signed, it was the first time in my life I felt like a pro athlete. I could go out and not worry if I was going to break a board. Go big, be as critical and hit sections as hard as I always wanted too. Back before that, I was too afraid. Moving over to James, I wanted to take my surfing to a whole other level, and now I have unlimited backups to do so"
Tell me about this forehand three.
Yeah that was on my Black Vulture. It’s actually my favourite board, super versatile and holds speed so well.
It's: 5’5,19 1/4 2 1/4 25.5 litres
Yeah, the boys in the office love that board, thanks for taking the time - on a family getaway to talk to us. Keep it up!
