| Beau Walker is a young pro surfer from Queensland who has represented Australia in all national and international competitions. Bert Burger met Beau in February 2005 when Beau was only 17, free surfing at Snapper rocks one of Queensland's famous point breaks. Beau had managed to get his hands on one of 3 demo boards I had brought to Queensland for surfers competing in |
|
 |
the
Quiky Pro that year. The board was passed on to him so my first sight of Beau was an insane
triple aerial combo as I was paddling back out. A few waves later Beau came and introduced himself, after I surfed a wave passed him and he noticed I was riding a board made the same way. I instantly recognized Beau's lively and vibrant personality, and I saw a powerful style that fully suited
Sunova's unique flex and ability to launch and spring out of mid faced aerial maneuvers.
I started thinking about shortboard designs to suit Beau. With recent feedback from Kelly about the same board and having both their comments match, I figured I would make what I had found to be most
functional design to date in sandwich surfboard construction. (This was the board Beau would later ride to the finals of the World Junior Titles).The first boards taken to Queensland were close replicas of what most of the Pros were riding. All made comments about how the board felt, which was the materials they were feeling under their feet doing different things to a normal board. In response to solid feedback the
Nitro model was first born.
 |
|
Beau's electric personality has been a huge hit in both surf media and television networks alike. This led Beau to be cast as one of the regular presenters on the Channel Nine Television Series called 'The Shak'.
Beau has worked very hard on the program as 'Nitro' to become one of the most loved children's personalities on television. Nitro is known as the 'sporty, fun, and adventurous' |
one, which as seen him bungy jumping, sky diving, skating, and surfing amongst many other exiting sports and games.
"Daredevil" is Nitro's middle name, facing challenges is his game. Nitro has no fear ... well, except for heights ... oh, and snakes. His personality is almost as big as his naturally dreadlocked, sun-bleached hair. If Nitro had to be described in five words they would be ... Athletic, boisterous, fun-loving, competitive, loyal.
On the more serious side, Beau's
involvement in the media has led him to be involved in many local community projects, as well as multi-national projects such as helping to protect whales from Japanese harpoons.
The early days: Beau grew up in Queensland, an only child, and had the typical Aussie childhood. He has basically grown up a part of the sand and surf. He received his first surfboard when he was seven and hasn't looked back since. His love of surfing soon extended to a wide variety of sports. Just some of Nitro's idols when he was growing up included
Kelly Slater, Adam Gilchrist, Mick Doohan, and
Harry Kewell.
Beau is known as a power surfer who can throw loads of spray but also has the ability to off some amazing airs in all types of conditions. His favourite waves are point breaks, from clean barrels to messy faces, this is where he shines.
Past Results
1. 2x 4th in Australian Titles U16 + U18's
2. 5th Quik World titles U18's
3. The Australian Captain
Snapshot of Beau Events
Billabong World Junior Championships ASP Junior Championship
North Narrabeen, Sydney, NSW, Australia
1 - 8 January 2005
Beau Walker in action. Pic by ASP