Watch: The O'Riginals with Lachlan Rombouts
Few years ago a friend returned wide-eyed from Chile raving about the set ups and the constant supply of swell. "Left points for days!" he cried. Amid his babbling he recalled the performance of one fella in his group. The name he dropped meant nothing to me at the time, yet it came rushing back on the morning of June 6th, 2016, when a fella on a burgundy 12ft board caught an improbable wave at North Avalon.
Lachlan Rombouts!
On that morning, ol' Lachie transferred his act from the Chilean puntas to the North Av rockshelf and caught the most memorable wave of that most memorable swell. Did it on a gun that measured two-storeys high - a board that has its own backstory - and somehow made it functional.
Since then Lachie has taken the act to other deepwater bommies with similar success.
In this, the second instalment of O'Neill's O'Riginals series, Lachie reflects on his young surfing life. For a big wave guy he ain't afraid of some introspection and it's refreshing to see.
Comments
so good.
is this guy getting paid to go surfing? a paid free-surfer?
Nah, workaday surfer with a badged wardrobe.
That north av wave was Eminem material - owning the moment.
You could go a lifetime and not have another wave come at you like that
Epic clip
Great
"That" NE swell. Fond memories...
Where'd you surf it, IB? Obviously not where you currently reside.
Lennox. So so good.
Super fortunate timing. Visited family in Sydney over the weekend, flew north Monday morning and picked up new Murray Bourton, then hoofed it straight to the point. Had a whole week there.
refreshing change
Inspiring, the ocean has so much to give..
I’ve been waiting for this one! Didn’t disappoint either, so good
Man, that was such a good wave. He came so close to making it out too!
Fuck, inspirational stuff.
super stylish
Legend! What's the song?
All the tunes in the series are from the Pist Idiots. Look 'em up. Better yet, if you're in Sydney head out and see them live.
Sweet, sweet footage . . .
Does anyone remember a beautiful Coke ad in the 70's of a young dude crafting boards, living simply with angel of a girlfriend and the background tune: "I've found what I've been looking for, I've found my place in life." ? Lachlan is dialed in to that kinda vibe.
Can't find that particular bloody beautiful ad (? black and white) on Youtube - hate the lolly water but loved the evocative imagery.
Cheers stu, I'm well south of Sydney but will keep an ear out.
Down to earth, so enjoyable
So sick! So cool to hear honesty, so cool to see a different approach to riding waves, good one you mate
Awesome Lachie
you're the true spirit of the ocean lachie - and very inspirational what you shared on a lot of personal levels. I remember the jaw drop day that Nth Av pic appeared; now to know the back story is to add to its magnificence.
I really enjoyed that
Never seen someone ride a board like that, like that.