Maz Quinn
The staggering thing about Maz Quinn is that even into his 40s he could still hold his own in any WCT heat. The better the waves, the better he surfs and he hasn’t wound back one ounce of that powerful rail game he became renowned for during his, and surfing’s, heyday.
Part of the reason for that, is he works hard to keep in shape and fit enough to surf the way he wants.
“I’m probably not surfing as good as I did in my late 20s and early 30s,” he laughs. “But I feel like I am surfing well and I am keeping fit – that’s the key at our age – keeping fit and getting in the water as much as possible and hopefully that downward spiral will be a little slower than a slippery slope.”
“I’m probably not surfing as good as I did in my late 20s and early 30s, but I feel like I am surfing well and I am keeping fit – that’s the key at our age – keeping fit and getting in the water as much as possible and hopefully that downward spiral will be a little slower than a slippery slope.”
Maz became New Zealand’s first ever surfer to make the World Championship Tour when he qualified in 2002. It was an incredible achievement.
“I still think, results wise, it’s hard to get on the world tour,” admits Paige Hareb. “Even back in the day when Maz did it. I would have had him as number two except Ric just made it two years on the World Tour so he just tops Maz!”
Maz, who officially retired from competitive surfing in 2017, had 26 years competing and was making finals in New Zealand right through to that last season. In the events he’s “come out of retirement for” since then he’s continued to be a force to be reckoned with. He just won the 2019 Barrett Homes Open of Surfing.
From his long-standing relationship with Quiksilver to the manner in which he set his life up after competition, he’s one inspiring character. Maz is often regarded as surfing royalty in New Zealand – a fitting mark of respect for who he is and what he has achieved.
