The Semi Charmed Life Of Chippa Wilson
Words: Anthony Pancia / Photos: Russell Ord
It was sometime around the late nineties when the title of “free surfer” began doing the rounds in surfing circles.
At the time, a chosen few were pulled from the competitive grind of the professional surfing tour and gifted a golden ticket to explore the farthest reaches of the globe for empty and photogenic waves.
It was of course a different time when the surf industry had pockets full of cash to throw at advertising spaces in magazines and images of these free-wheeling surfing vagabonds standing tall in remote waves seemed to fit the bill perfectly.
As those pockets of cash gradually disappeared so too did the roster of surfers paid to chase the dream.
Today, just a handful of surfers can rightfully pen the word “free surfer” atop the annual tax return and all work hard for their money.
No longer are they dispatched to the four corners of the globe for months on end, rather sent on pre-determined “strike” missions in a bid to capture optimal conditions in the shortest amount of time.
By his own admission, Chippa Wilson came along late in life to the role of free surfer but works the title like few others.
Consequently, he’s carved out a niche for himself, so much so he finds himself booked by various magazine editors and sponsors months ahead.
Anthony Pancia: How the hell does one become a paid free surfer in 2018?
Chippa Wilson: It took a while to be honest. I was doing the junior professional surf series and getting a few bucks here and there from some sponsors but certainly nothing that would allow me to live. In the end though, that wasn’t really working out because I’m certainly no good at competing.
So, I shelved that and started working with my old man ‘till I was about 19 or 20 and then I picked up my current sponsor Analog who kindly paid me enough to travel, live and have some in the bank. It’s pretty much just ticked along quite nicely since then.
AP: So how does a year in the life of a free surfer work?
CW: It’s not that dissimilar to a professional competitive surfer in that you follow the seasons around a bit. I have about eight sponsors now so I’m usually doing something for them each month, either a photoshoot or some project. Then you’ll have your different magazine shoots which are generally booked a month or two in advance. Between those, you’ll head off on random trips chasing swells on strike missions so it doesn’t take much to fill up a year.
AP: Do you find yourself proactively chasing those, for want of a better word, jobs? I guess the money isn’t flowing as well as it once was so the pool’s a little smaller so one could assume you’d have to shop yourself out a bit?
CW: Yeah, I try and keep on top of those things, lots of social media and making sure my sponsors are getting what they need and the magazine editors are happy. So, yeah, I work for it.
AP: Does that take the fun out of it? Does that make it anything more like just having a regular job?
CW: Nah, not at all. Like at the moment, I’ve only been home for two days then I’m off again, it’s all go, go, go, but I’ll have plenty of time down the track to hang out at home. It’s definitely not what you’d call a hard job. I could travel for years without a worry in the world.
AP: You have a tendency to show up at some pretty remote locations-where are some of the most remote?
CW: The top of Scotland, Ireland, Iceland…I just did a helicopter trip into some pretty remote parts of Canada. Those cold-water spots certainly feel the most remote because no one is ever around and it’s pretty rare to ever see anyone surfing those places because it is so cold.
AP: I guess a lot of magazines are chasing images of those unique locations because so many other locations, like Indonesia for example, have been done to death. Does that shape the itinerary for your year at all?
CW: Yeah, for sure, although having said that I’m going to Indonesia tomorrow for two weeks then the Maldives after that, so there’s still definitely room on the roster for those tried and true places like Indonesia, but even there you can get way off the beaten track without too much trouble. But in an ideal world I’d be chasing those super remote locations every time.
AP: You must have your packing technique dialled in-what are some of the must haves that get throw in every time?
CW: Yep, can pretty much do that with my eyes closed now. I usually start with some form of communication, laptop, ipad or phone of some sort. Then two cameras, one film, the other digital. Depending on what sort of climate I’m heading for it’s either a couple pairs of boardshorts or a wetsuit, change of clothes, couple surfboards and that’s pretty much it. Given all the different sorts of transport I come across on any given trip, I’ve found the less I have to drag around the better, plus it minimises the chances of anything getting lost. Just keep it simple every time.
AP: Film camera? That would suggest you’re more than just the casual snapper?
CW: Ha, ha, yep. I love it for sure, it’s a full hobby though. I’m definitely not trying to make it anything more than that though so it’s more of a way of documenting my travels really. I have been shooting a lot of film though, haven’t had anything developed lately though so that’s always a bit of a surprise when you look back on it.
AP: Do you, or have you kept a record of how many countries you go to in the course of an average year?
CW: Yeah I do, this year for example I’ve done seven so far, although there’s been a couple double-ups of the same country twice. I like to aim for more than 12 a year, so I’m on track so far (interview was recorded in July, 2018).
AP: What about professional surfing? Are you a fan?
CW: Not really. I mean those guys are surfing as gnarly as anyone but I just don’t really have the time to sit down and watch it, especially if I have a bit of spare time during the few days I might be at home. There’s always something to do in the garden.
AP: And this trip to Fiji, how did that rate among the spots you’ve been to this year?
CW: It was funny because I sort of went into it blind, I’d never been to the Coral Coast of Fiji before, I usually just head to better-known spots like Tavarua. Diving off the deep end like that can go either way really but this one paid off. Got some great waves in some clean, warm water so it definitely rates as one of the better trips I’ve ever done.
AP: Something I’ve always wanted to ask someone in your position-in terms of what you do for a living, do you have to play it cool when you’re home with your friends?
CW: Oh, for sure, if I saw one of my friends today I wouldn’t be saying I’m off to Indo in a couple hours, that would suck to hear when you’re on your way to a long day on the tools or something.
AP: And finally, that’s quite a collection of tattoos you’ve got-as someone who doesn’t have any and had never had the inclination, what’s the attraction??
CW: It started when I was really young, about 18 I think, which is never a good thing when you turn 29 and realise you don’t necessarily like that first tattoo anymore. But, I don’t know what go me into it, I just like the way it looks. I’m booked in to get a couple more big pieces to finish off my chest then I might calm down for a while. A couple tell a pretty cool story about where I’ve been but I have to be pretty selective about them now, I’m running out of real estate.