Brenno goes big

A cadre of Black Knights are scrutinizing an advance issue of the February ’09 Waves. The Hawaiian spread gets the most critical attention. Hippo stabs a finger at a barrel shot of Brent Dorrington, laughs and says, “That camera housing is bigger than your body.” It’s true. Brenno’s torso is smaller than the unusually large water housing in the frame. It’s not just that Brent Dorrington is compact. He looks small because the Off The Wall barrel is a cathedral and Brenno’s super deep and in need of a prayer. It’s further evidence of the 21- year-old’s committed approach to serious Hawaiian surf. But while he’s building a reputation for charging big barrels I’m not sure they are his high point. From what I’ve seen he’s a stylish hi-fi performer with skills in any size. For my money he was the stand out on the Australian league of BKII. For someone who lives on the Goldie and surfs perfect waves for a living he showed plenty of ability in the summer slop. We utilise a ski for whip-ins and Brenno rules the sky with huge controlled technical airs as well. I ask all the surfers which of their peers they think is most deserving of the Black Knight title. Most of them deliberated before saying, “Brenno.”