It wasn’t hard to spot Sebastian Zietz in and around the comp site at Margaret River this year, all one had to do was look out to sea. Indeed, the day of the final, the happy go lucky Kauain was the only one to sneak in a dawnie and it wasn’t just to warm up.
“Cooking out here!” an enthused Seabass told Tracks out in the water the morning of the finals. “I get so psyched when it’s good, I just can’t help myself.” Then there was the decision to stay out between his semi final win over Italo Ferraira and final with Julian Wilson.
Post-win and just prior to jumping in the car to make haste for the nearest casino, Tracks caught up the new World Number 2 and now world title contender.
Tracks: You stayed out in the water between the semi and your final with Julian…what was that about, trying to psyche him out or what?
Zietz: Nah, there was only a 20 minute gap between heats and I jeez, I froth on surfing so much and what better practice for a surfing final than surfing. I wasn’t really worried about getting cold or tired or anything, we’re only out there for two hours and I usually log up six hours every day out in the water at home anyway.
Tracks: You’re now number two in the world, technically a world title contender and possibly on your way to making life difficult for pretty much everyone this year…had you given up on the dream and, you know, gotten a job or something?
Zietz: Ha! Nah, I actually started a gym at home so I was looking to be a lot more involved with that while I was home. But now my girlfriend is taking care of it more than me, so it’s been pretty full on for her and I bet she’s itching to go on a few trips, so it’s going to be tricky figuring all that out.
Tracks: $100,000 (booty for winning the comp) might go a long way to keeping that dream alive?
Zietz: Yeah, I’m not too sure how much your government’s gonna sting me for but it’ll help. I also do a little surf training program for the groms back home and I’m stoked to help breed Kauai’s next generation. The prize money might help get ‘em a couple jump ropes or punching bags or something.
Tracks: This win’s probably going to cause a few headaches for some of the other guys who probably didn’t see you coming. It’s a pretty obvious question, but does not having the pressure high expectations on your shoulders help?
Zietz: Yes and no, I mean, I was just kooking out all last year and it sort of snowballs and starts to play with your psyche. Like I said in the acceptance speech, falling off tour was hard and it made me feel like a kook. I got home, got a bunch of waves and was just psyched to get back on it. Now I’m here, I just wanna aim low and achieve high!
And in (slightly confusing) news just in, the ripple effect following Taj Burrow’s retirement are already starting to be felt.
WSL commissioner Kieren Perrow says TB’s retirement has been brought forward and he’s now entering Fiji as wildcard.
“This helps us move Adam Melling officially in for the rest of the year, Stuart Kennedy as first replacement (for Owen Wright) and Sebastian Zietz as second,” KP says.
“Seabass is therefore guaranteed (a start) into Brazil and Fiji if Bede Durbidge remains out.”
