mitch After Gromhood

Waves readers might’ve noticed we published a story titled “Life After Grommethood” in our latest issue. Well, Mitch Coleborn was supposed to be part of that story and published alongside Craig Ando, Jay Davies, Hoyo and Kerrsy. So, what happened? Fucks me. I was in Hawaii, but it was a pretty cool interview and worthy of some airtime so we thought we’d throw it up here for you to read now.

What’s your favourite memory of grommethood?

“I didn’t really live close to the beach until I was about 13. Although I grew up on the Sunny Coast it was still a solid 15 minute drive to the beach. My parents then decided to move to Maroochydore and we were really close to the beach. I loved that feeling of getting up for the early and jumping on your bike and riding to the beach. For me, it was the freedom of surfing whenever you wanted. I used to surf nearly everyday before school. “

Do you miss your grommethood? If so what things do you miss?

“Things seemed to be a lot easier when you were a grommet. You were surfing because it was fun. You were happy with whatever free clothes you were given off your sponsor. In a way, I miss the freedom I had when I was a grom.”

Coleborn – Best of.

Video by Image^

If you could be aged 25 forever or 16, what would you choose? Why?

“I’d be age 16 because you can’t go out in America (laughs). It was a really fun time in my life because I was surfing around Australia. I was just cruising with mates and only just starting to go to parties. Everything seemed to be a lot easier when I was younger (laughs).”

Were chicks more toey when you were a grom or are they more sexually enlightened now?

“I reckon when you’re a grommet. They were always down for anything. Around the Goldy and the Sunny Coast the girls were down for anything around that age.”

How do you think your grommethood on the Sunny Coast was different to other areas?

“I think it was for sure. I never really got the beatings that I always heard about from the boys from Sydney. We had a few older guys like Zane Harrison to look up to, which was pretty cool. It’s a pretty small little place and everyone is tight with each other, so they weren’t going to fucking hammer you because you were a grommet.”

Coleborn – Tavi Tripping.

Was the surf better when you were a grom or do you think your mindset has changed?

“I think the surf was definitely better. I don’t know what it was, but I always think about it. It puzzles me.”

What were some of the stories you heard about grom abuse?

“You tend to hear a lot less about it now. There were always stories of people getting tied to telegraph poles nude and kids getting thrown in bushes. Matt Bemrose (Volcom team manager) always used to tell me about how he used to get beat up. I dished a little bit out on the Volcom trips, but you end up feeling bad. I’m not that much of an asshole to absolutely drill a kid until he’s crying.”

Have your idols changed since grommethood?

“I used to look up to Parko, Bruce and Andy. They’ve always been cool with me and I’ve never had any run-ins with them. Actually, I think Andy dropped in on me on an absolute bomb one year at Kirra. It was before I had met him and I was pretty pissed off. It didn’t make me hate him though because that’s the way it goes.  I’ll always look up to those guys. It’s not like things are going to change.  “

Do you still get stoked about the same things you used to at age 15?

“I do, but definitely not as much as I used to. I don’t know what it is. It’s not that it’s getting boring, but it’s becoming repetitive. It bums me out when surfing gets to the point where it feels like a job. I want to be able to keep it at the level where I’m still really stoked. I don’t want to get to the level where I’m like: ‘Fuck this.’ I don’t want to be negative about it. Even though it sometimes feels like a job, it’s still the best job in the world.”

Do you think this generation of groms has changed compared to when you were one?

“I think so for sure. Everyone seems to be so professional at such a young age, but I also think that they shouldn’t let it get to them. You see grommets burning out all the time. You need to make sure you need to have fun in anything you do but at the same time be serious.”

How have you changed since grommethood?

“I don’t think I’ve changed too much. I definitely still have the same goals. I didn’t really expect the last couple of years to happen like they did. I re-assessed my goals and what I wanted to achieve. All I wanted to do when I was a grom was be on the World Tour and become world champ. It’s not the way it always works out. Now I’m getting back on track with those goals and hopefully fulfilling that childhood dream.” – Interviewed by Sam Paterson.

Tags: mitch coleborn