Interview part 1- Julian Wilson

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Interview part 1: Julian Wilson

Interview part 1: Julian Wilson

21/05/2012

It's only his second year on tour but already it feels like Julian Wilson has been around as long as Taylor Knox. Okay, maybe not that long. And at 23 he's certainly not as wise as Taylor, especially given the fact he's lying in bed as we speak recovering from having his wisdom teeth ripped from his gums. Anywho, in the first of a two-part interview with surfing's most eligible bachelor - sorry, Wilko - Jules gives us the lowdown on the tour so far, who the man to beat is, what else there is to do in Rio and his fleeting affair with Rosie Huntington Whitely...
*One of the above is a weak attempt at fabrication...

Red Bull: Jules! How are you legend? Tell us about Rio and your thoughts on how the contest went down...
Julian Wilson: The event was pretty damn cool! They actually moved it a kilometre up the beach and we pretty much scored! Especially for what everyone was expecting after last year's conditions when it was really average.

RB: We had some pretty ordinary waves but he event itself and its surrounds looked super fun!
JW: I am not opposed to Rio being a stop on tour and think there's worst places we could go, that’s for sure! The new set-up location definitely helped the wave quality and obviously the performances this year. Also, there's plenty to do outside of the event and Rio is one of the coolest cities I have been to. But I wasn’t partying this year and didn’t fall in love 45 times like Wilko (Matt Wilkinson) but I still had lots of fun!

RB: It seemed as if everyone, even your old sparring partner Parko, was happy to see John John get his first tour win?
JW: Hahaha. Parko is already my old sparing partner?! John is a likeable kid and yep, I don’t think there was anybody with a bad thing to say about him after his maiden victory. It was awesome!

RB: After a big finish to the season last year you've had a slightly slower start to 2012 but if Rio was anything to go by, things are starting to look up?
JW: Yeah, it hasn’t been perfect but if you go off my position last year at this time, I'm looking really good! Last year after the Brazil event I was worried about making the half-year cut off.

RB: Parko has shot to the top of the ranking after his second-placing in Rio. Who do you think is surfing the best at the moment?
JW: Yeah he must be stoked... It definitely helped those guys by having good waves in Brazil this year. I think Mick looks strong at the moment and (Josh Kerr) Kerzy - he can't fall off on an air!

RB: What do you put your early results down to and what’s the target you've set yourself this year - obviously top-five would be on the agenda...
JW: To put it simply, I just haven’t been on the best waves and lost earlier than I would have liked. My goal is to finish better than last year and win at least one event on tour.

RB: Sounds like a plan. Chopes maybe? What are you doing right now - this minute, as we speak?
JW: I’m actually going in to get my wisdom teeth removed right now, maybe that will mean I win every heat from here on out!? There's a pic on twitter.

RB: On twitter? There's so much action on your Twitter we thought it was a phantom account...
JW: To be honest, I go through phases with my twitter. It’s a fun way to stay connected with people I would never get to interact with otherwise, keep my “followers” in the loop and see what the Kardashians had for breakfast!

RB: But seriously, your wisdom teeth out? Right now? Let's resume this chat in a couple of days after the morphine has settled in then and when you're four teeth lighter...
JW: Done!

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