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Wednesday, 29 August 2012
Ben DiDonato, probably doesn't sound familiar does it? "Well, it shouldn't," says Ben. "I'm
not the best surfer on the beach, not the best shaper in the country. I 'm not in magazines for my adventures. I just have a huge passion for surfing and would probably have the most fun surfing then nearly anyone else.
"I started surfing in 2006/2007 I was around 19 I think. My roommate Caleb would make me come out and try to surf. He would make me watch surf DVD’s of the Malloy brothers, Rasta, Tudor, Knost, Donavon. It mostly consisted of Fish or “alternative” surfboards, as did Caleb’s quiver. Thats when my obsession begun!
"My first board which I still have is a 5’10 Al Merrick Fish. Not the kind with the tiny swallow tail and thruster setup up. It features 2 huge keel fins, a little rocker, loads of foam and an expensive heavy glass job. From there I acquired over a dozen fishes, logs, alaia and single fins. Once Caleb left for greener pastures I relied on these dvds for inspiration to continue with surfing. As all my friends would hardly surf because they had been doing it all they’re lives and were getting bored.
"Three years had past and I discovered the Alley Fish Fry website and died. I knew I needed to get up there, but it took three years to do it. It was perfect, Caleb had married and moved down the road from The Alley at Currumbin and we all went this year. I scored 2 boards off Eden from Dead Kooks and as soon as I landed in Sydney I knew Cronulla needed an event like this. I emailed Grant Newby from The Alley Fish Fry and honestly thought it would be a long shot. We talked for 30mins or so and at the end of the call the Wanda Fish Fry was born!
"I sit here with a few weeks away from the day, it feels like Christmas is coming. Along the way when speaking with people explaining to them about the Fish Fry and that its a free event, I am always asked 'whats in it for you?' My reply is mechanical at this
point - 'nothing'. I joke and say 'I am building my shopping list for boards.
"Some people still don't get it, and start telling me ways I can make money from it. They miss the point. Its a celebration of shapers and board riders. Thats not to say i havent met like minded people in the last 6 months. Because of this I've met and seen the best come out of everyone. So many people to thank for they’re help along the way. So Thank you (you know who you are )
- Ben DiDonato
www.wandafishfry.tumblr.com
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