![]() He knows how to treat a board just lets it do its thing and then draws a really good line… Then he’ll jump on a thruster and do big airs and go mad.” Febs knows how to fly with all the first-class trimmings.įebruary’s desire for individual expression and engagement with the world extends beyond his relationship with waves. I’ve seen him on everything – twin fins, bonzers, single fins. “I love to shoot with him because he just does different stuff to other surfers,” suggests lensman, Peter ‘Bosko’ Boskovic.Īccording to Bosko, Feb’s can also ride just about any kind of craft in a way that keeps you guessing. I’m sort of tall and lanky and awkward, so now I just try and do my own thing.”įor photographers, February’s free-form approach offers welcome relief from the swathe of modern pros who are more textbook perfect than expressive. I tried to do that but I kind of struggled. “When I was younger and watching surfing movies, the thing was to be as textbook as possible. So if February spent so much time wrapped in stiff neoprene how did he develop that loose-limbed, nonchalant style that makes you wonder is that how Michael Jackson might have surfed if he grew up on the beach? Michael explains that it took him a while to become comfortable with his own distinctive interpretation of riding waves. “Whenever you go somewhere else in the world it’s so much easier to get in the water because it’s always going to be warmer than home and most of the time it’s going to be easier to surf.” ![]() He also points out that there is one major advantage in growing up at a location that is often battered by heavy weather. Although the conditions were not always enticing, February suggests there was never any shortage of swell. There he drew inspiration from decorated locals likes Damian Fahrenfort and Matt Bromley, and developed his unique style in a challenging mixture of kelp-riddled reefs, swell-exposed beach breaks and meaty, big-wave spots. While Michael’s early years were spent closer to the harbour, as his surfing talent became apparent the family moved to Kommetjie, on the west side of the Cape. It’s nice to be travelling and not have to deal with that…” ![]() “They have all these stations in Cape Town where you can fill up water. However, when we catch up with Michael the eclectic city is in the grips of a major water-shortage crisis. South Africa’s second most populous city is known for its good wine, nightlife and abundance of quality food. February was raised in Cape Town, on the southern tip of the African continent, where the frigid currents of the Atlantic Ocean on the west of the Cape collide with the warmer waters of the Indian Ocean on the east. As word filters through that the contest has been canned for the day, February is happy to sit down for an impromptu chat about his surfing influences and desire to embark on an African odyssey in search of different waves and distinctive afro-funk beats. When Tracks catches up with Michael he is grabbing a coffee between heats. ![]() Tall, eloquently spoken and languid of limb, February surfs like a lick of melting butter and has rapidly earned a cult following amongst style connoisseurs. If Jordy Smith is the front man for African surfing then Michael February has surely emerged as its spiritual ambassador. 566 – Find our extensive archive of premium features, historical mags and premium film here. ![]()
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