Riptide Magazine

Pride Road Trip

All Photos // Pride

The riders for their trip were Lewy Finnegan, Sam Bennett and Cade Sharp, with a guest appearance from Jimmy Williamson, accompanying them was Riptide Photographer Alex Ormerod.

Let's meet the Pride team that roamed Northern NSW, on the prowl for rippable lumps and a whole lot of laughs.
Introducing...

Lewy Finnegan
What was the best session of the trip?
The session on the way back to the Goldie was definitely the best! Cade and I were getting fun little barrels, wave after wave, but unfortunately Sam wasn't there for it. It was funny watching Cade get lipped on his last wave and then dragged across the inside. I think it was his karma for his constant grom abuse towards me!

What was the funniest thing that went down on land?
We went to a bakery and everyone got a coffee, but Sam was certain that his coffee cup was only half full, so he started complaining to the chick working there, which I found pretty funny. As soon as he started you could see her just get really devo (devastated).

Who had the most annoying trait and what was it?
Cade was so quick - he was always burning everyone! But it was funny trying to catch up to him and having wars on the wave.

If you could take one aspect of another bodyboarder’s riding what would you choose and who from?
Sam's flips are really smooth and are sick to watch. Cade's style when he's bottom turning and going up to hit the lip. He rides so smoothly when he's on a wave, making everything look really powerful and controlled.

If you could be any famous person, who would it be and why?
Oprah, as she's got as much money as you could ever imagine and makes so many people feel good by giving them insane gifts at her shows.

What do you want to achieve in bodyboarding in the next year?
I really want to start travelling more and getting into bigger waves. I also want to do the State and National Championships as well as trying to get as much exposure as I can.

What do you want to achieve in bodyboarding in the next five years?
My ultimate goal would be to able to make a living from bodyboarding. I reckon it would be so much fun.

Out of the three of you, who gets the best chicks and why?
DEFINITELY ME! Cade and Sam are grandpas now and can't pull any keen juvies (juveniles) haha.

Why is Pride the best team to ride for?
The boards are the best of any brand and everyone in the team is sick.

Sam Bennett
What was the best session of the trip?
Definitely Breakwall on the first day as there were a few fun pits and good vibes. It was also the first time its broken in ages.

What was the funniest thing that went down on land?
The drive back from Forster was pretty funny. Just talkin shit with the fellas and exchanging some funny conversations.

If you could take one aspect of another bodyboarder’s riding what would you choose and who from?
My thoughts will constantly change on this, but at this point in time I'd steal Mitch Rawlins' bottom turn. So steezy!

If you could be any famous person, who would it be and why?
Orlando Bloom. As he's married to my dream girl (Miranda Kerr)!

What do you want to achieve in bodyboarding in the next year?
Well I'll be focusing on photos, seeing that everytime a mag comes out I'm never in it! Haha. Alongside that I want to be following the IBA events around the world and trying to get something decent out of it. I like competing.

What you you want to achieve in bodyboarding in the next five years?
A cover shot, or two, Top 5 in the IBA at one stage (at least), own a jetski and have a bullshit hot chick that does anything I want. I pretty much want to be making a living from the sport and to get off this rancid Centrelink system!

Out of the three of you, who gets the best chicks and why?
Haha I'm lovin' this interview! To answer that question I'd say Cade, as he's tackled a few more than me, so I'm sure there are some dream babes in the tally. But in saying that, I have no idea on Lewy's encounters. I'm not gay, but he looks like a cat that could pull a bird or two.

Why is Pride the best team to ride for?
It's an European-based brand and Europe excludes so many countries, which is really good point for exposure. I haven't met any of the riders from
overseas, but I know all the riders from Oz are cool as and easy to roll with.

Cade Sharp
What was the best session of the trip?
Either the nude surf at Ballina (I was so shocked at how bad the waves were I had to get nude), or the last surf we had at a little reef on the way home. It delivered a few surprise heavy little barrels.

What was the funniest thing that went down on land?
Probably watching Lewy shooting portraits with Alex or Lewy trying to keep up with me drinking!

Who had the most annoying trait and what was it?
How much sugar Lewy eats or Sam's love for Breakwall or just Port Mac in general.

If you could take one aspect of another bodyboarder’s riding what would you choose and who from?
Sam Bennett's backflips.

If you could be any famous person, who would it be and why?
Probably Mick Jagger or Keith Richards because of how outrageously wild their life has been, yet they're still alive today.

What do you want to achieve in bodyboarding in the next year?
A cover! Win an Aussie Tour contest and go well in the World Tour on the qualifying contests and in Hawaii.

What do you want to achieve in bodyboarding in the next five years?
A World Title and getting in the Top 5 in the Riptide Peer Poll.

Out of the three of you, who gets the best chicks and why?
Lewy gets a few chicks 'cause they think hes a little cutie and I've also seen Sam slay a few beasts - I think that he takes what he can get though.

Why is Pride the best team to ride for?
Because Sam Bennett rides for Pride.