Ratboy is a legend of surfing; he’s certainly one of the greatest when it comes to style and innovation in the air. I don’t think he gets the credit he deserves. He is credited with the first backside 360 air off the lip, but I think he was also the first person to do a frontside 360 air off the lip, too. It was right after I finished The Kill, and the year was 1995. I was filming Ratboy at Steamer Lane. At The Lane you have to start filming the cliff and wait for the surfer to come around the corner. Ratboy came out from around the corner and busted a sick frontside 360 air all the way around. You have to understand that at the time, that was revolutionary.
Ratboy’s style is also very clean. He does the impossible and makes it look easy. That’s what good style is all about.
Above are his sections from The Kill 1-3, and a few more clips from back in the day for good measure below. Enjoy!
And Thank You Ratboy for being one of the best ever.
Note: Check out Josh’s retro movie, We Are Forever Young starring all your 1990s favorites.
