The TT Tour
Be rude not to have a paddle really
As Digga and I drove up to the Far North, we decided to name the roadie The TT Tour. It’s in honour of our two fallen friends, Troy Hirst and Jack Tripper… or Tripper for short. Both legends passed last weekend. Both too soon and suddenly. I’m sure Troy and Tripper would have crossed paths at some stage, maybe a Barfly Boardriders party back in the day. Maybe even through both working in Auckland surfboard factories, or simply sharing west coast line-ups in the 90’s. Troy and Tripper’s passing dominated the drive convo’s. The why’s, the sadness, but also the funny tales we had of each of them.
The Bay pre-dawn, stacked and getting swept clean
I don’t want to write another eulogy…ever. It’s sucks trying to summarise mates lives, we are all too complex yet somehow cliches sneak in. So I’m honouring Troy and Tripper by catching a wave at Peaks, never expecting to tear it apart as either would have done. But I did end each with a ‘that one’s for you Legend.’
The Far North Pete Mitchell… not the Whangamata PM, searing around the base
The was a thought that the Roadie would be a welcome distraction from the grief. Far from it, the beachside chats and between set catch-ups invariably circled back to Troy and Tripper. Such is both surfer’s legacy, they were known and loved by many. Check-ins on messages confirmed burial times and heartfelt comments as the surf communities of NZ, Indo and Nequay wept. There’s no escaping the course of grief you just have to swept along with it wherever you are.
As maudlin as all this reads, the TT Tour wasn’t all that. Kindly hosted by the Williams, perched above the Bay, we were absolutely styling. The surf was good…no great… not the epicness over hyped by surf reports, but still fucken great.
Braeden Williams and the shot that’ll be used all over the socials
The old fella, Deano Williams at mach 10 down the line
Braeden, Deano and Digga with perfect timing
Local grub Taj Phillips speeding
His 13 year old sis, Jade dumping speed
Local ripper Callum Morrough
The queen of the reef Kelly Murphy
Piha’s Poppy Arkle stalling into a pearler
Jade
Kelly washing off some speed
Two lil legends right there
Pete Mitchell time travelling
Digga jamming
combo’s for days aye Digga
Didn’t get this rippers name…anyone know him?
Jade… best surf photo eva
Breaden with Diggs in the corporate box
sooo you think posed photo… nah the straps had come loose on our board stack
There’s a Give A Little page set up for Troy’s kids, Mikayla and Westen. Please, if you can, donate. the link is HERE
