Brett with some adoring — and adorable — fans. He always makes the time, and never must he force the smile.
What kind of guy is Brett Simpson?
Read on.
But first, a word on the US Open nightlife circuit. It is hard — perhaps as grueling as the Tour de France, which by contrast involves no whiskey and allows for regular circadian sleep patterns. Every surf brand hosts an event (or two, or six) and every event has a bar (or two, or six) and at every bar you have a drink (or two, or six) and pretty soon it’s 1 a.m. (or two, or six). For a week. Dehydration and fatigue set in by Wednesday; by this Monday, the week after, with a US Open champ crowned and the circus moving on to Europe and Tahiti, people throughout Orange County slumped at their desks, emaciated and delirious and trying to banish Friday night’s hangover to make room for Saturday’s.
By night in Huntington Beach, party wristbands are the surfer's dogtag. Photo: Robin Cornuelle
Professional surfers run this town all week, and few more ably than Brett Simpson: local hero, last year’s winner, affable to the point that it’s suspicious. I saw him Friday night outside a Rip Curl party in downtown Huntington Beach that my sister and I couldn’t get into. The place was packed and, for fear of a fire marshal clampdown, the doors were closely watched — one person out, one in — and a 20-deep crowd foamed out into the street. “But we’re on the list!” accomplished nothing; insolence rarely does and besides, they were all on the list.
Brett stepped out of the party to do a vapid interview for TV. How does it feel to be defending? It must be nice to compete at home. Any new tricks you’re working on? Blah.
He was about to slip back into the party when I caught his eye. Brett smiled and ducked under the velvet rope to chat. How were things? Things were fine. And you? Fine.
“Are you trying to get into the party?” he asked. “Are they giving you a hard time?”
He said something to a petite, anxious hostess who was gripping a clipboard. She looked at my sister and at me; a minute later we were inside.
I don’t know Brett that well; I don’t know anyone important that well. I belonged in the street, nose against the glass, imagining the gaiety inside. But Brett wouldn’t have it that way because he’s too kind, which is rare, and I’m glad he won the US Open and one hundred thousand dollars again. My favorite surfers are nice people. It’s why I like the Hobgoods.
—Stuart Cornuelle
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nice, thanks for the insight. what kind of boardshorts does he use? i want to wear boardshorts that support a nice man please.
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Brett is a true gentleman. It’s guys like Brett who are great representatives of our sport. I’m stoked to see him win as well.
dude who cares
why the fuck do you clog your blog with useless bullshit like this?
Haha “clog your blog” nice rhyme. You’re a dick
Yea of course they drop Hank Gasskell and Gavin G. and Kahea so they can keep Brett and over judge him in their backyard for the victory. Shoots Hurley and company see you in the islands…
Well Well Ba na,
I’m suprized dey got computas ova dea in de islandz braddah. No one cares about Hawaii, there’s a reason Hurley sweats Brett..1. He’s on the CT ( That whole major league, super bowl of sufing competition thing?)and 2. He wins outside of da triple crown bra. Props to islands bois who get pitted on massive swells, but you gotta have it all to make Simpo bank.. not just a mohawk and some ancient pidgin warrior tats.
“Sukka-da-Hotch”
Not funny bouts this kid Simpson. No tail drifta in final, brah… total punk’d out desasta.
WOW! who spells like that? what are they teaching in schools in the US?
Alex K you’re funny!
since when were contests about talent?
Corpo=$$$$=more Corpo=push your athletes=more $$ for the Corpo
they all surf good (except for 1 trick butt squat monkey Brazil nutz)