3 minute read
Riding together and shredding for ever
“It is a dream of most board-riding parents to have their child growing up sharing the love of riding boards with them,” said ‘Sheddie’ Eddie Wearne. “For me, there is nothing more enjoyable and rewarding than the blessing of the journey of riding boards with my daughter.”
Eddie opened the core surf/skate/bodyboard/snow store Shed Nine at Rye ocean beach almost 18 years ago, and there was no question he would eventually pass on his love of surfing to his daughter. “Chloe knew at a very early age that I would let her stay up and skate inside any night instead of bedtime, just holding her hands, walking her backwards and forwards on the lino in the living room. She first stood on a skateboard and a snowboard at age zero, but she didn’t really take to it properly until a little later.
“The Peninsula is a challenging coast to teach kids to surf, with strong powerful waves, tidal, fickle reef breaks and long cold winters, so for me teaching Chloe the basics of skating then snowboarding before she could walk was key. Chloe didn’t really surf regularly until age nine late last year, then won her first surf comp in the under-11 girls’ division in the Peninsula Super Groms earlier this year. That was a milestone for the both of us and she has definitely been more keen across the boards since.
“I work huge hours in store, so I’m careful not to put too much pressure on Chloe and let her ride at her own pace so as not to put her off the shop and the boards altogether. If it’s all about fun and there are plenty of other kids involved, she will be more likely to keep enjoying the ride, and that’s amazing. As long as the groms are happy, healthy and keen to shred, the rest is a win. The incredible friendships we make riding boards are lifelong and priceless.
“I’d like to think I can stay fit, healthy and keep riding boards well into my 70s or even my 80s and keep my game strong enough to chase plenty of great waves, mountains and skate parks with my daughter and the crew as the years go by.
“I don’t want to be remembered as anyone special, just a bloke who didn’t grow up or give up, just another Aussie battler, a rad dad, and someone who was always there to help out the next generations coming through.
“I’m a ‘surfvivor’. I hope to shred for ever. That is what keeps us young and that is a beautiful thing.” instagram.com/shednine instagram.com/eddiewearne shednine.com
