Mike Dobson

General Info: I suppose I’ve been lurking around DKcorners for a while now, I surf as often as possible which in summer can be weeks but with reprieve north, south and east for some high quality waves! Work keeps me based in Perth (for now) as i have a masters of architecture (hons) degree and work freelance in Perth City at my studio called STUDIO M1 working on a range of residential and small commercial projects (website coming soon). I set my studio up for independence and flexibility- to learn more and do what i want, so if the surfs up I’m out there, the downside is the work tends to come home with me a fair amount. As a break i work on a range of graffiti/ architecture stuff as well as working on site and tutoring design at UWA. Travel is another passion of mine and DK has taken me around the world a few times without scratching the surface! DK is as relevant to me now as ever if not more and i am looking forward to some big years coming up!

Age: Born black Friday 1984

Location: Perth City

Home Break: Cott main winter, Swanbourne summer, Metro mainly, Rottnest ideally

Natural/Goofy: Goofy 90%

Why DK: Stylish, controlled and explosive DKto me represents a skillful art, the niche culture of DK promotes individuality and style and to excel it takes love, passion and dedication. That’s why when i see someone get up and make it look good there is deep respect knowing that it doesn’t come cheap.

Favourite DK Riders: Jack Lindholm- thanks Jack, Danny Kim- for the porno styling of the 90′s, Maligs-versatility and explosiveness, Kainoa- untouchable, Roach- took it to the next level, Aka- silk style, Won- skills like no other, Lackey- holding it down for oz, mad backhand, Feast- new gen dk in some size, Leroy Kaiwa- best backhand i have seen, Mason, Pope, Welsh…………………….. so many favourites, old school and new and in between.

Favourite DK Movie/Section: Unfortunately nothing recent springs to mind bar some solid sections from feast and lackey in mainstream boog features, all my faves are classics- Fumanchu, the inside… i am seriously bummed each time i watch another recent booger flick that has token or totally ignores DKwaves let alone sections. It seems the more junior vid makers have time for DK but not the major… this sucks because some of the more established vid makers are starting to produce some really great films and nice cinematography. The technology is there, the riders are there its an open invitation! DKers need to take some more initiative- Lackey is having a crack and i have high hopes for him

Prefer Fronthand/Backhand: Not fussed, maybe backhand for the extra difficulty- switch is the next level

Favourite DK move: Getting onto a fat roll (not that im close to landing them- usually resulting in a slap across the face) or a good tube ride in ascending order- frontside, backside, switch, stand up boog! ha- chances are a memorable tube will be a frontside or backside. a deep backside tube ride is most rare and satisfying

Future For DK: Airs, rolls and flips etc. at the moment the wave is the key to these moves, in the future these moves will become more frequent on less than perfect ramps which will require a new breed of faster and more flexible riders. other than that just BIG TECH, bigger waves and more technical moves.

DK Rippers At Your Local: Liam O’keefe is the young one to watch with a good style, Feast is putting on a show in the south west on a daily basis it seems, Oska Tallis is back throwing it around after breaking his back and some time in the snow (rehab?), Mark Boehem put in a good dig at wedge which impressed me…. plenty of faces i dont know too.

Shout Outs: Izzy and Kimba my daily fan club, Claire Dobo ripping in your face in Bali, Jimmy at KON King of Nothing apparell in Sydney, Louis Stone for the link ups! boys at ‘chilli erections’, all my best mates who dont surf and will probably never read this, friends from all walks in my life, Darryl Felch, Ken Nats, dk crew around OZ(looking forward to the DKS pilgrimage) and anyone getting up on the knee to amp me into a surf! out there!!!!!