Stuart Bedford-Brown was 18 when he did his "5-Minute Interview" with Tracks magazine. It ran in the March 1985 issue, just before Bedford-Brown turned pro.

I’ve opened a shop with two partners called Brownie’s Sun and Surf. I hope to open another one soon and when I finish with professional surfing I’m going to have six.

It’s good; there’s lots of girls. There’s more good looking girls in WA than there is here.

Yeah, all my life. Where I live there’s girls everywhere. You can’t help yourself.

Do you think there’s a disadvantage in coming from WA?

Yeah, there’s not enough publicity. Also, when you get to the top in WA there’s no one to push you. That’s why coming over here all the time is good for my surfing.

You’ve just picked up Peter Mansted as your manager. How did that come about?

Probably because I nearly beat Tom Carroll in the Op Pro. I was thinking about getting a manager anyway and Peter approached me one day at Narrabeen. I wanted a manager to look after my money affairs, my publicity, and to make sure that wherever I go everything is booked and OK.

Is Peter having any involvement with your surf shop?

No, that’s totally separate. He looks after organizing me and my training. I’ve given up smoking and drinking—about two weeks ago. Peter said it’s no-go when I’m in training and if I do I’ll get fined $100.

It’s worked out by Peter. Each of his surfers has a different prograam. Plenty of surfing and aerobics plus there’s a nutritionist for us to consult.

And you’re definitely turning professional?

Yeah, I’ve always wanted to be a pro surfer. I want to go to France and California—there’s a lot of girls there! (laughs).

How long do you think it’ll take you to become established?

At least two or three seasons before I become a seeded surfer. It all depends on how radical you surf; you’ve always gotta go for it against the seeds. Especially in that first round 'cause you’ve got nothing to lose.

Quiksilver and Rip Curl are putting me on the tour this year.

Dave Macaulay. He’s been doing them for about three years. Dave could be going on the tour this year as well which would be great ’cause he’d be there to shape them and he’d be seeing me surf all the time.

What do you think is wrong with pro surfing?

People seem to get sucked into little packs and they get left behind as one of the crowd. You’ve gotta make sure you get out of the pack as soon as possible.

[Photo: Ross Anthony Willis, Bruce Channon]

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