Campbell Farrell, who is he?  The Phantom of big wave surfing.  This waterman appears out of the ether when the surf is big and challenging.  Then slips quietly back into his personal paradise. One of New Zealand’s best big wave surfers but also one of New Zealand’s unsung heroes. Campbell has based himself in Hawaii giving him direct access to large warm waves.

The Shed was able to prize him away from the surf and fire a few questions at him about what he is up to and what might be on his agenda in the not too distant future…

TPBS. Where do you live?
CF. I live in the town of Paia on the Island of Maui, Hawaii

TPBS. What is the surf like for Stand Up?
CF. The surf here is good for stand up... lots of outer reef breaks although often plagued with trade winds.

TPBS. Favourite home break?
CF. Noriega’s it’s the outer reef in front of my house very easy to get to and often uncrowded... good up to about 10 feet.

TPBS. Do you flat water paddle at home and if so where?
CF. No... I am not much of a flat water paddler. We are spoiled here on Maui with possibly the best most consistent down wind conditions in the world. If it’s glassy I prefer to go fishing or ride my dirt bike.

TPBS .What about down wind paddling, or open ocean is that an option?
CF. In the open ocean I have SUP’d Maui to Molokai for training and racing & Molokai to Oahu 3 times racing. We have a regular down wind run on Maui that I have paddled at least 200 times over the last 6 years.

TPBS. Many guys Stand Up paddling?
CF. There are so many people SUPing now it is just mind blowing. All most any time of the day I look out to the ocean now and can spot a SUP paddler surfing or doing a coast run.

TPBS. Who are your sponsors?
CF. I have just created a deal with Starboard International as a lifestyle type SUP rider.

I have been riding Starboards for just over a year now. Jeremy Stevenson and I brought Starboard SUPs to NZ. At the end of the day we have been sponsoring our selves.

Hyundai NZ have always been really great supporters of my adventures and plus the guys at Dirty Dog are giving me some sunglasses.

I really have not been seeking sponsorship. Its more partnership related through business we work together helping each other where and when we can.

TPBS. What boards do ride?
CF. STARBOARD SUPS

TPBS. Do you do any other form of surfing ?
CF. Yes... I Windsurf, Kite surf, Tow surf, Foil Board, paddle surf short boards & longboards

TPBS. How long have you been paddle boarding?
CF. I have been Standup paddling since 2004..

TPBS. How did you get into it?
CF. I was very quick to get on board with SUP. Laird loaned me his boards then got some shaped for me in 2005.

TPBS. Do you compete in Stand Up?
CF. I have done a lot of races mostly down winders I have never competed in a SUP surf comp.... in fact I have never competed surfing ever.

TPBS. Do you have any competitive goals?
CF. To be honest not really... I wanted to win the Molokai to Oahu Team SUP... it took me 3 years to achieve that goal finally in 2008. I was very happy with the result but there is all ways a cost for dedicating ones self to such an ego driven goal. I saw that it cost a lot of money, commitment and time not spent with my family. I saw that I need to focus more on providing for them. I then set out to get more business going in my life than competitive results. Starboard NZ is a result of that.

TPBS. What sort of music do you like?
CF. I really like Metallica... recently James Hetfield has become a good friend of mine. He as a person... Father, Musician, Warrior... inspires me. From getting to know him and now going back and listening to his lyrics the music is so much more empowering than ever before.

TPBS. What is your favourite food?
CF. NZ foods and flavors are the best. I love roast lamb or pork with good crispy crackling. Snapper or fresh white bait fritters with salt and lemon.... baby green lipped mussels cooked in white wine garlic. Nice big fresh salads...

I like most foods... I’m a good but slow eater.

TPBS. Favourite surfers?
CF. My friends and the ones having the most fun... wearing big smiles.

TPBS. Favourite surf break?
CF. A clean empty one with just my friends out!

Peahi has definitely taught me the most and provided huge experiences unlike any other.

TPBS. Where would you like to go on a paddling adventure?
CF. Any where in the Pacific....at the moment I don’t want to travel too far. This year I am planning 2-3 weeks in Tahiti with my family.

TPBS. Why there?
CF. Because of the friends I have there.... beautiful lagoons and the perfect waves.

TPBS. When will you be back in NZ next?
CF. I will be in NZ for a month in July/August... mostly in Queenstown skiing and snowboarding.

TPBS. Any plans of surf adventures in NZ?
CF. I am planning a trip with Laird... He has wanted to come to NZ for a while.

I can’t really share much more. It’s better to just go and  do than talk too much!

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