JW: Good stuff. So have you made any major or minor adjustments to try and ensure 2010 runs as smooth as possible?                                                        

TB: I have my mate Simon Barratt looking after all my media crap, so that's pretty cool. He shuts down pointless interviews and lines up the important ones (like you guys! ha). Besides that I think I have a new mind set about competing now. After winning Pipe I became content with my career etc, I feel no pressure with ratings/points etc like I used to. All I care about is going out, having fun and surfing my best.

JW: How's the tour line up...it's looking shit hot, heaps of young rippers all pushing the sport even further. How do you feel about competing against guys like Owen Wright, Dane Reynolds and Jordy Smith? Do you feel pressured to lift your performance to the next level?                            

TB: I love having those guys on tour and competing against them. They always make me surf a better heat because you have to lift your game against them big time. Judging criteria finally caters for progressive surfing too, so it's all pretty exciting, especially for the spectators. I just hope it takes these guys a while to learn the game. They're already deadly but once they become smarter they'll be invincible.

JW: So who is the toughest competitor on tour?                                                                                                                                                                                              

TB: It's Bede Durbidge for sure. That guy is so fucking rock solid! He has the best wave selection known to mankind and he does BIG turns that throw buckets. And he doesn't fall.

JW: Bede is the man. What event are you most looking forward to this year?                                                                                                        

TB: Trestles! I want that thing bad. I've come so close before. In '08 I was in the final with Kelly and the judges just handed it to him. It was absolute bullshit. I don't like to complain about judging, but this time was just ridiculous. Anyway there ya go, got that off my chest, haa.

JW: No doubt it's going to be a tough year with such an all-time list of competitors on tour. Who do you think is likely to be a real world title contender in 2010?                  

TB: Mick, Joel, Kelly, Bede and Jordy.

JW: You won a bonus 50 grand for claiming the 2009 Pipe Masters. How have you spent your hard earned dosh?                                                                      

TB: I spent it on a Villa in Bali and a ticket to the Pacific for my parents. Gotta spoil the folks, they're awesome!

JW: It's good to see you're spoilin' the olds, but will you be throwing another NYE party after this year's efforts on the hill?                                                    

TB: Nope. That was the last NYE party I'll be hosting. Hell times but kinda stressful. Plus waking up to that mess ain't pretty...haa

JW: Good on ya mate and best of luck with the rest of the year. 

Photos | Russell Ord/Sitting Room Gallery