Mark Healey is immune to fear. He free dives as a hobby. He spearfishes every night for his dinner. Sharks? Prey, not predator. He is the kind of guy who needs no dare; he’ll take the path never-before-traveled every time, whether it’s the biggest wave you’d never tow into or the sheer rock cliff that looks like the fastest way to get back to his truck from the beach.
The way Healey puts it, if you’re gonna be dumb, you better be tough. And it’s exactly this combination of tenacity and fearlessness that makes him one of the world’s most electrifying big wave riders. Growing up on the North Shore gave Healey the chance to learn the intricacies of the island’s most infamous breaks, both above and below the surface. His comfort level at Pipe, Waimea and Sunset means he’s not afraid to experiment. And when he charges even bigger waves elsewhere—Jaws, Todos, Teahupoo, Puerto, Tasmania, Cortes Bank—his expertise as a waterman serves him well. He can stay in the moment and in control no matter how big it gets, a reflection of a lifetime spent learning how.
Being crazy gets you noticed, and that’s certainly the case for Healey. In addition to regular props from the holy trinity of surf media—Surfer, Surfing and Transworld— mainstream adrenaline pubs like Outside and Men’s Journal have made Healey’s swell- chasing lifestyle and poster boy abs the envy of Joe Average everywhere. Ever in training for the next wave, the devoted Quik rider has also been tapped to front the brand’s new performance apparel line, EQPT.
Some have deemed Healey the next Laird Hamilton, but a better comparison might be Healey’s favorite movie star, Steve McQueen: a guy who lived hard and liked to go fast.
But really, Healey defies comparison. This Pipeline aficionado is driven but humble, reckless but smart: a guy who laughs in the face of danger as much as his own folly.
Vean las noticias, fotos y accion en vivo del torneo Quiksilver Pro en Puerto Escondido, es un torneo de 3 estrellas de la WQS.
Los latinos van dominando, pero otras estrellas como Clay Marzo siguen en la competencia, entra a la pagina de internet para verlo en vivo:
www.quiksilver.com/puerto
It’s time to make you’re opinion count and vote for the 2009 Surfer Poll awards. You can support Quiksilver team riders Kelly Slater, Dane Reynolds, Clay Marzo, Ry Craike, Julian Wilson, Mark Healey, Fred Patacchia and Jeremy Flores – or anyone on our roster. Click here and start voting.
You can also cast an extra vote for Kelly Slater to win Top Action Sports athlete in the 2009 Teen Choice awards. Voting is open to 13-19 year olds. Click here, register with your D.O.B. (or your little brothers D.O.B.) and vote for Kelly.
Long Beach High School, in Long Beach, NY, hosted Quiksilver’s Balaram Stack, Mark Healey & Pete Mel for the screening of Clay Marzo: Just Add Water a Quiksilver Film on May 26th. The crowd of 100+ students, parents, teachers, locals, surfers and friends from the Long Beach, Long Island and NYC area were amping as the Quiksilver bus emptied out and the guys entered the auditorium.
In support of Long Beach High School Surf Club, there was a non-profit raffle for tons of Quiksilver gear. Including Clay Marzo: Just Add Water T’s, Hats and DVD’s, along with limited edition Quiksilver L.I.N.Y. T’s and the grand prize – A signed board from Balaram.
After the raffle, we played the much anticipated Clay Marzo: Just Add Water. Followed by a Q&A with Quiksilver’s team riders Balaram, Healey and Pete Mel, by a very prepared & inquisitive group.
The day was all about accomplishing goals. Clay Marzo is a great example of an athlete who has, embracing Aspergers, accomplished amazing achievements.
Peter, Mark and Balaram spoke on their personal achievements and overcoming challenges: Peter talked about maintaining composure while being held down in big surf. Mark related holding his breath with big surf, free diving and his ability to turn on any wave with the confidence he will challenge himself and push himself further. When it came to Balaram, he humbly acknowledged, he couldn’t say that he had achieved his goals yet, but he’s working towards them, yet coming from New York has it’s challenges with harsh winters and cold water and infrequent epic surf, makes him charge harder when he travels.
With that the crowd erupted with applause!
Much thanks to Long Beach High School’s Jeff Kupferman and the School’s Administration for their support!
Check out some of the photos below…
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