Brent “Jigger” Johnson. Legend.
On November 23rd 2013, the Gold Coast surf community was rocked by the passing of Brent “Jigger” Johnson. Johnson was a talented surfer, skater, artist and musician. He was beloved friend, adored father, and a loving husband. He was also the lead sander and polisher for DHD Surfboards. For years, Johnson personally handled all of the surfboards the factory produced for Mick Fanning, including the board Fanning rode to his third World Championship three weeks after Johnson’s tragic passing.
At just 46 years old, Johnson died from a sudden and massive heart attack. He left behind the love of his life, Heather McLellan-Johnson, and their two beautiful boys Kaitoa and Che.
When Darren Handley (DHD founder and MF’s main shaper) told Fanning of Johnson’s passing the then-two-time World Champion broke down and cried. Fanning was in Hawaii prepping for the 2013 Billabong Pipeline Masters, the highly publicized event that would ultimately result in Fanning’s third World Title. “Mick was devastated when DH told him,” said Johnson’s wife Heather. “Darren said he was just sobbing. That’s when he decided he would dedicate winning the title to Jigs.”
Three weeks later, needing to advance to the Quarterfinals to win the World Title, Mick found himself against the ropes in both Round 5 against CJ Hobgood and once again in the Quarterfinals against Yadin Nicol. In dramatic fashion, Mick was able to conjure up waves in the last minutes of each heat. In the Quarterfinals, Mick rode a 9.7 to the beach. The crowd on Hawaii’s North Shore erupted into celebratory applause, and Mick became the second Australian to win three World Championships. For the second year in a row, the trophy was headed back to Coolangatta.
“I think Jigger might have been pulling some strings for those two waves to come through in the dying moments,” said Fanning’s biographer, acclaimed surf author and close friend of Johnson, Tim Baker. “I’m not a great believer in divine intervention, but to get through those heats the way he did makes me wonder. I know Mick had a lot of regard for Jigger.”
Jigger and Mick sharing a laugh and talking shop at the DHD factory.
All too often, sanders, glassers and shapers are the unsung heroes of the surfing community. Their craftsmanship generally goes unappreciated and they’re often times underpaid. However, Fanning and Johnson’s friendship went beyond the typical surfer/sander relationship. Their bond was forged over years of working together with a mutual respect for the knowledge each brought to the shaping bay. They shared mutual friends in and out of the surfing community and an intense love for the ocean.
“They work so hard all through the year to make Mick’s quiver to perfection, and they do it because they’re so behind the champion… Jigsy loved Mick,” said Heather of her husband’s relationship with the World Champion. “Sometimes the surfers don’t take the time to stop by the factory, but he said Mick was one who always did,” she continued. “He’d bring in beers, chat with them, have conversations. He’s a personable guy. They were good mates who would stand around and talk about their boards and their lives.”
Without life insurance, the tragic passing of Jigger turned from heartbreak to worry. Heather was faced with the disheartening task of being a sole parent with funeral costs, the mortgage, and the boys’ school fees. The monetary aspect of losing one’s partner can be an unexpected and overwhelming feeling. “It can be daunting, but I have faith,” Jigger’s wife said. “I just live in hope the children and I will reap the benefit now of relationships and love my husband sowed when he was alive.”
Jigger was a special and gifted soul who had the ability to make a positive impact on every person he interacted with. Upon the news of his death, outpourings of love came from all over Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Europe and North America.
Mick Fanning, Heather McLellan-Johnson and son Kaitoa holding the board that auctioned for $31,000.
Answering prayers and alleviating some worry, the Gold Coast surf, skate, art and music communities rallied around Heather and their children. A community-coordinated fundraising event aptly titled “Gettin’ Jiggy” was organized. More than 200 people showed up to the sold-out event, ultimately raising over $60,000 for the Johnson family. The event was highlighted by a bidding war for a board that Mick Fanning had surfed in his latest collaboration with acclaimed surf cinematographer Taylor Steele in the film The Missing. The board was personally signed by Mick during the event and sold for a world-record $31,000.
In July of this year, Café D’Bar on the Gold Coast, Australia, will hold an exhibition of Jigger’s artwork. Though his originals will not be for sale, there will be a limited edition series available. Just as Jigger wanted, the family hopes his artwork moves all over the globe.
“We all have this gift inside of us to be brighter than we think we are. Jigger expected nothing less from himself and saw it in others,” remembered Heather. “Without question, the celebration for my beloved Jigger was one of sublime love and kindness. The outpourings of love from home and around the globe have softened my sons’ hearts and made them more proud of their father than ever before. In their coming years into manhood, they will be able to hold their heads high, and for that, words of thanks are not nearly enough.”
