perceive that as some sort of an anti-contest statement, it was the exact opposite. His intention all along was to keep his competitive fire burning through the early part of his career. "This was a massive call for me...to basically take a year off of competitive surfing," he says. "I live to compete."
The Australian acrobat was already making waves on the WQS when he decided to pull back from competition to focus on his first starring role. "You only get once chance at a first one, so it's gotta be a banger," he says.
In some ways, Wilson took a page from one of his heroes, Taj Burrow, who you may recall, actually declined his first year on the ASP even after qualifying because he felt he could use the extra year of growing up. The move seems to have paid off for Taj, who like Kelly, is finding it difficult to find the off switch more than a decade later.
Julian's goal of staying fresh is likely to be noticed back on the competitive circuit. In our latest interview with Wilson about his new film, he talked about his two-year journey of getting something solid in the can. Now, however, he's got another itch to scratch.
Top Photo: ASP/Cestari
Here are the latest tour dates for Scratching the Surface, which by the way, we highly recommend.
8/26/10 Washington, DC: Arlington Cinema Draft House
8/26/10 Monterrey, CA : On The Beach Monterey
8/27/10 VB Waterman's Grille during ECSC
8/27/10 Santa Cruz: Rio Theater
9/9/10 SURF EXPO
9/17/10 Santa Barbara (TBD) (Julian will attend)
9/10/10 Arcata, CA: Arcata Theater Lounge
9/17/10 Honolulu, HI: Lu Lu's
9/18/10 La Paloma (Venue Confirmed date and contract being finalized) (Julian will attend)
TBA Wrightsville Beach, NC:TBD
TBA Beach Haven, NJ: Frank Theater Beach 5
