Freaksurf Mag : What should you need to win a World title?

Richie Collins : To win a world title you need to bring something new and exciting with a lot of experience.

You ride your own shape during all your life and you were the only one to do that,what did the other riders thought about it ?

Some thought that i had an advantage and other did not really care.

It must be terrible to defeat guys such as TOM CURREN on your own shape? You must feel like the ultimate surfer?

Being able to beet the best surfers in the world riding your own surfboards was awesome.

Why were you the only one to have done this ever, ANDY KELLY, TAJ, work with their shapers but nobody rides his own shapes?

It is very difficult to be a surfer shaper. simon anderson, and mark richards were two of my most inspirations. if you have a shaper who understands the way you want to surf and you both can put together a formula in a shaped surfboard and to be able to continue to produce what you are looking for, than i think that is a bigger advantage.

We could see former legend trying a come back like SUNNY what do you think about that and are you willing to make a come back?

DANE REYNOLDS has no pression he doesn't really care about winning the title just like CHRIS WARD, what do you think about those guys is that the real and pure surf attitude, dont't care just enjoy the ride?

Dane is young and doesn't care. he has the talent to win, but it will be on his time. chris has been around for a while now and i just do not think he surfs to be a world champ. I think he just enjoys knowing he is one of the best. i wanted to be the best and the champ so bad it hurt. if i could have been more like these 2 guys i might have lasted longer or would have never become who i am today. the richie collins everyone remembers.

You boosted air 360 at you time ARCHY too, why those manovers weren't recognizes?

When me and a couple of other surfers were doing air 360 no body cared. the media loved it and so did the fans. but the judges did not care and would not give scores so we stopped doing them.

A question about the subject of the moment, what about the EUROFORCE? In the past there were no EUROPEANS?

The europeans back in the day just loved the surfers and wanted to be fans of the sport. now they are becoming a true force on the tour and it is great to see.

A few words on KELLY SLATER, TOM CUREN, OCCY and... RICHIE COLLINS?

The names speak for themselves

Archy made a video on his career, ROSS CLARK JONES too, are we gonna see RICHIE's career video?

Maybe

What is your surfing's future?

Only God knows !

Now the best for the end, you told me your daughter will be a terrific surfer tell us about her!

For guys like me and sunny to be able to surf at our age and to compete with the younger generation is great for the sport. it brings back great memories and excitement for the media and the generation of fans who remember why they surf. unfortunately the sponsors do not see it that way. i bet if you brought all of us original surfers back for a reunion event, it would get more coverage and be more exciting than any other event.

SUNNY, OCCY, MARTIN, TOM, GARY or ROSS CLARKE have sponsors  why don't you have one, too much rebel?

Everybody on the dream tour seems to reduce his board size for this year what do you think about it?

Nothing has change since i was on the tour. we always road smaller surfboards to surf faster and quicker. the difference now is the boards have evolved into even smaller, thinner and narrower surfboards to allow the surfers to do the maneuvers even easier.

Everybody remember your victories on OP PRO and BELLS BEACH against CURREN AND POTTER what was you relationship with them?

We were not really friends back then. it all about kicking each others asses in the water and leaving to prepare for the next heat.

The surf companies would rather hire nobodies and pay 200 kids with no names to try and find the next kelly slater than hir someone like me who could surf and help them find the next world champ. that is why i do not have a sponsor. Plus because i am to hard core and i do not kiss ass.

What do you think about the new school like DANE REYNOLDS, JOSH KERR etc who are boosting airs every where?

I really do not care for all that jumping around. i have been doing air for 25 yrs and then when kelly came along with his thinner surfboards and started taking it to the next level. 20 yr later he is still doing it better than ever and then some.

My daughter is 9 yrs old. Her name is meah Collins. We will see how she goes in the next year. "ladies watch out".

Thanks Richie, we miss you,  God bless you bro...

Interview by Johann Mouchel for Freaksurf Magazine