Gabe Davies
Name Gabe Davies
AKA Gabe
Age 35
Local Break?Tynemouth (North East UK), Bundoran (Ireland), Hossegor (France)
Sponsors Quiksilver, Extractor Sleds
Greatest achievement in surfing La Vaca Gigante III winner, 2X British Champ and 2X English Champ. Nominated for XXL Awards & Surfer Poll ‘Heavy Water’. Pioneer of European Tow surfing, featured surfer in ‘Waveriders’ the Award Winning Documentary Film, which had cinema release across UK/Ireland.
How long have you been surfing? Since age 11.
What does surfing mean to you? Everything, since my very first wave ridden in Tynemouth I was hooked. Surfing has been my hobby, my career, and my life. Surfing has allowed me to travel the world. I lived in France for 8 years and have met some incredible people – but I honestly like surfing the British and Irish waves more than anywhere else.
Where around the world have you surfed? The European coastline, Hawaii, Indonesia the South Pacific, South Africa basically every ocean in the World!
Where are the most pristine waters you have surfed in? The Solloman Islands, South Pacific. I thought the sea life here was incredible and the coral reefs in parts remained untouched, but it wasn’t until we went diving that we realized the extent of the sea life in these parts. Every time we went in the water there were dozens of sharks watching our every move! Surfing there was a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Where are the most disgusting waters you have surfed in? A surf break on the East Coast, which is at the Mouth of the River Tees, surrounded by Steelworks, ICI and nuclear reprocessing plants – I don’t think I’ll ever surf there again. Also the year after the Prestige Oil Spill here in France was disgusting, I was seriously fearful for the health of anyone who went in the Ocean at that time. I also saw fishermen dynamite fishing in the Phillipines, which was really sad.
Why is SAS needed? To represent water users at the highest levels, and pass on to the public and everyday users information about the standards as well as solutions on how to improve the quality and cleanliness of our coasts. After all surfers are the first to spot the direct results of sewage and pollution day in day out, year after year! SAS are like the beach police – protect our waves!