Hopefully Micro Glen Hall makes a macro comeback to win more titles like this one. Photo: ASP/Cestari/Mr Price
Glenn ‘Micro’ Hall has been slogging it out during his rookie year on the ‘CT. After a couple of 25th-place finishes to start, a ninth-place last month in Brazil saw him claim his first scalps and skip a few places higher on the ratings. He seemed to be finding his feet until the last wave of his Round 2 encounter at the Volcom Fiji Pro judo-slammed him into the coral heads at Restaurants. The result was three fractured vertebrae and a blown opportunity to get the score he needed (and possibly the barrel of his life). But such is life and at least we know he’s not the sort of chap who gives up easily.
Now back home in Avoca, Australia, I chatted with him about how he’s doing after the ordeal, his thoughts on the year so far and when we can expect him back in the water.
For the full story about his Lear Jet trip home, alongside a hot doctor from Fiji, check out his blog.
Firstly, how are you doing and how is the back after that hairy one at Restaurants?
I’m feeling alright besides the boredom. Sitting around doing nothing isn’t my best trait so being couch-bound is hard. I’m on some good painkillers though and they are keeping me entertained. I should be right to get out and about more in a week or so though.
That step in the wave made it look like it was draining water from the bowels of hell. Did you know from the take-off that it was going to be a 10 or a serious pounding, or did it surprise you by suddenly bottoming out?
No, that wave was the perfect one. I knew we were deep so it might step out, but I knew it was a sick wave. I knew that was my chance at getting a big score.
You’ve had some cracker heats against Jordy this year. I think you’ve gone up against him in every contest? Are you developing a personal rivalry?
Yeah it’s crazy to surf against him every event. He’s such a good guy and an amazing surfer, but so is everyone on the tour. So anyone you draw is going to be hard. I wouldn’t say there is a rivalry because Jordy has won every time so far. But I’m definitely keen to get a few back on him. Haha.
You’ve been surfing great and fighting your way through the toughest part of the draw in every event. How is your opening year on the ‘CT going? Any surprises? At the start of the year, a lot of people focused on your long haul to get on tour, is it cool to be showing folks that you’re more than an underdog or is it strategically smart to keep people underestimating you?
Yeah I feel like I’ve been surfing some good heats and losing some close ones. I have also surfed a couple of shit heats though too. So there are positives and negatives in there to look at. I have been trying to enjoy it all and not be intimidated in heats. I try to be mentally tough so I don’t get negative when I paddle out against those top guys. The good thing about taking too long to get on the tour is that I’ve been around so long that I know everyone so it helps when it comes to feeling welcomed to the WT.
Have you changed anything in your training/routine or are you sticking to the program that got you onto the ‘CT?
I have been doing more fitness training this year which has helped for sure. Just feeling a bit stronger for the bigger waves. As for my heats, I have just focused on trying to only do major moves. The WQS lets you surf a bit more conservative due to the four-man heats, but I don’t want to change too much so I don’t feel uncomfortable. I want to enjoy it and focus on a few small details.
You mentioned in your blog that it’s six weeks of home and rehab. So that means the Mr. Price Pro, where you are the defending champ this year, is out of the question?
Yeah, at the moment it looks like six weeks out of the water so unfortunately I won’t get to come to Ballito this year. I love that place. Spewing.
Do you ever get tired of people asking you why you surf for Ireland and not Oz?
Nah, I don’t get tired of it because it is an interesting story. So I understand that everyone wants to know the story. It’s been a really fun experience surfing for Ireland.
Thanks very much. All the best for a quick recovery and the year ahead.
Thanks a lot. Hopefully I will be back for Huntington.
