The Momentum Generation; Where Are They Now?

On the eve of our UK wide tour of ‘Momentum Generation’, Sam Lamiroy investigates what became of the individuals who made up the seminal Momentum crew.

Rob Machado – born 1973

Then:
The 18 year old Rob Machado was unlike anything we had ever seen – super skinny, a clean, short cropped hair cut, arm jive like a lithe flamenco dancer – and a board that looked about 15 inches wide and 7 feet long, but the whip and style on this young kid was insane. Precise, flowing and ultra fast – his front hand touching the deck of his board way more than it had any right to, un-interrupted flow, new school fin blows with Gerry Lopez sensibility – Machado had a lot of potential – but would his alternative style and light frame allow him to cut it in the big leagues where real men hunted?

Now:
With a competitive career that spanned over two decades, with numerous word tour wins including a Pipe Masters victory, a perennial world title contender and one of the most famous world tour runner up finishes (to Kelly Slater) in surfing history, Rob’s pro surfing credentials certainly match up with the best of them – but it’s what he did outside of the competitive arena that has cemented his legacy. As the definitive ‘free surfer’ – traveling the world with a warm smile, flowing locks of hair, a guitar and effortless style – Rob captured the imagination of the surfing world, and defined an entire lifestyle. His humanitarian and environmental work with his eponymous charity, as well as his renaissance as a shaper, together with the team at Firewire, and his lucrative endorsement deals with some of the biggest brands in surfing have ensured that Rob is even more relevant and cutting edge now than at any point in his illustrious career so far!

Shane Dorian –born 1972

Then:
When Dorian was first introduced to the wider world of surfing he was all perfectly quaffed hair, smouldering eyes, ‘blue steel’ with a cheeky smile and a penchant for second reef pipe bombs! With his boy band good looks, big wave bravado and unique approach he was an instant fan favourite … but there were question marks over how his unorthodox style (with that ‘broken’ front arm’) would translate into the competitive sphere – and while his promising big wave antics were impressive, it was not something you could make a career out of …

Now:
Simply put – Shane Dorian has become a living icon in surfing. After a ‘relatively’ successful pro career,- finishing 4th in the world in 2000 and winning multiple tour events, he retired from competitive surfing in 2004. Then he turned his full attention to surfing big waves and changed the surfing landscape forever.
Following a near death wipeout, Dorian pioneered the inflatable wetsuit vest, allowing big wave surfers to push the boundaries even further – with Shane at the vanguard, waves that were previously considered out of reach are now being paddled into. Dorian is widely regarded as the best big wave surfer in the World – and those flowing locks of beautiful hair? … Alas, sadly they did not fare quite so well!

Ross Williams – born 1973

Then:
Fresh faced, golden-haired and throwing more spray than any other member of the Momentum gang – Ross Williams looked like the full package. Big waves, small waves, carves and airs – he had it all – surely a glittering pro career was waiting. He was the counterbalance to Shane Dorian – they would push each other relentlessly to ever greater heights.

Now:
As far as his competitive career is concerned, Ross will be the first to admit it never quite lived up to the early billing. His highest placing on the tour was 15th, and while he did make several finals – a major event victory eluded him … (but getting second at places like Jeffries Bay isn’t that bad!) … along the way he also finished 4th in the Eddie and bagged numerous cover shots and global video sections. In recent years he has morphed into a well-loved commentator on the WSL and then stepped into surf coaching, guiding none other than his friend John John Florence to his second World Title! Oh –and Ross has also somehow found the elixir of youth … he still looks the same as he did over 25 years ago!

Pat O’Connell- born 1971

Then:
It seems Pat O’Connell was always happy! With a mop of white blond hair – this impish, grinning ball of energy came to surfing relatively late – but quickly made an impact. He was an integral part of the dynamic that shaped the Momentum crew, and from an early age his smooth style and tight radius turns suggested a bright surfing career lay ahead!

Now:
Just as he was on his way to building a solid pro career, Pat received an offer he simply could not refuse… a staring role in the worldwide smash ‘Endless Summer 2’ – a year-long adventure around the world ensued. The film not only made Pat a household name across the surfing globe but it also allowed him to work on developing his surfing – something he used to great effect to re-qualify for surfing’s top tier. He went on to compete for 12 years, finishing as high as 11th on the tour. Following his retirement, Pat set up the ‘Realm’ clothing company, was instrumental in the wildly successful ‘Drive –Thru’ video series and eventually found his way into the position of Marketing Manager at Hurley – arguably the most influential surfing brand in the world right now. Oh – he is still the happiest surfer on earth and you need to know the backstory to his marriage – it will make you cry! But you need to see the ‘Momentum Generation’ movie to find out more.

Kalani Robb-  born 1978

Then:
Kalani was the young pup of the Momentum Generation – befriended by Rob Machado, a full five years his elder. Literally raised by some of the best surfers on the planet – with impeccable style and speed and an inherent comfort in big waves born of a youth spent in Hawaii … surely this young protégée was set for greatness?

Now:
Oh my goodness … what a journey it has been for Kalani. After an electric start to his pro career, a constant in the ‘future world title contender’ conversation – rising as high as 5th in 2001- Kalani never fulfilled his lofty potential – a combination of apathy towards the establishment, the distraction of a simmering movie career and several unfortunate sponsorship choices meant Kalani, while very highly paid, always seemed to be a bit of an outsider – and often close scoring decisions in heats went against him. Eventually, enough was enough and he decided to step away from competitive surfing at the height of his powers. What followed has been a tale of fall from grace, losing sponsorships, family feuds over past earnings and working a 9-5 job in the marketing department of a Genetics company. But then, salvation – with a bit of help and a few phone calls from his Momentum friends Kalani has recently re-emerged as a leading light in the fun-time movement in surfing with his role at Catch –Surf – blasting around the world on the soft top revolution… it’s good to have him back!

Taylor Knox – born 1971

Then:
Taylor Knox has always been a man. Even when he was a boy… he was a solid , powerhouse of a surfer. Often referred to as the ‘jock’ of the group. His physical strength was due to a stringent rehab and exercise regime he had to adopt following back surgery aged 15 after a  skateboarding accident. His surfing was always mature, smooth and pleasing on the eye. His drive and systematic approach suggested a solid career was just over the horizon…

Now:
Knox spent 20 years on tour, climbing as high as 4th in the world – he won Big wave events and inspired multiple generations of surfers with his iconic brand of power surfing. Often cited as the pro’s favourite surfer he has earned his place among the pantheon of all-time greats of our sport. The ultimate power surfer – Taylor Knox is still carving unsuspecting liquid walls into submission all around the world and shows no signs of slowing down!

Benji Weatherly – born 1975

Then:
Benji was the very catalyst that brought the whole Momentum generation together .. or to be exact … it was the kindness and laissez-faire attitude his mum showed to his surfing friends by allowing them to crash at their house on the North Shore of Hawaii. A dream combination that allowed the most concentrated collection of surfing talent to be constantly pushing and evolving in the most testing of arenas – Pipeline! Benji himself was a reasonably talented surfer, but he lacked the drive, dedication and focus of his peers to really target a career as a competitive pro surfer.

Now:
Following a long career as pro ‘free-surfer’, essentially, remaining current with his brand of airs and power surfing as documented by numerous Taylor Steele clips, and the Drive thru series, Benji also made the cross over sports movie ‘Life as a movie’ and he has been a golf caddy for Adam Scott – of course! After some very dark times following the death of his close friend Todd Chesser (something that was acutely felt by all of the Momentum Generation friends), Benji has been instrumental in keeping this band of brothers together.
His current venture is the infamous ‘Breakers’ restaurant at Haleiwa on the North Shore of Hawai that he set up with his mum – Benji is still very much the glue that binds the Momentum Generation and can always be relied upon to dissolve everyone into fits of laughter!

Taylor Steele – born 1972

Then:
A Young geeky kid with a pretty crappy camcorder, failed ambitions of a career as a pro surfer and a friend called Rob Machado who was stoked to have his own personal filmer. Steele figured if he could not surf for a living the next best thing was to hang out with friends at the beach and capture their antics in the water…. He started hanging out with a growing group of young surfers on the North Shore of Hawaii and concentrating on the action unfolding around the Weatherly house… it would be ground zero for the Momentum Generation.

Now:
What followed that fateful encounter with Machado and that winter of 90/91 has been nothing other than spectacular… after spending years making one hit surf movie after another ( he’s reaching close to 30 projects now) the genre-defining movies including Momentum, The Drifter, Campaign, Modern Collective and the drive-thru series have been followed by more thought-provoking films like Sipping Jetstreams and Proximity… Taylor’s clear passion for music helped launch the careers of artists like Blink 182, Bad Religion and Jack Johnson he has headed up global marketing campaigns for the likes of Corona – and has now turned his attention to large production projects in the drama and film world… his latest project will be out next year on a prime-time network and he is nowhere near finished yet!

Kelly Slater – born 1972

Then:
Then there is Kelly! – Alas, there is no real before and after story to Kelly Slater … the before was when he was about 10 years old … ever since a pre-pubescent young Kelly started hoovering up national titles and crushing adult surfers dreams, he has been touted as the next big thing … and he certainly delivered! Back in 92’ as Momentum dropped – Kelly was seen as a highly likely future world champ … well, the world did not have to wait very long, he duly delivered his first world title later that year … it was to be just the very start….

Now:
In his 25 year pro surfing career, Kelly has a record eleven world titles, he was the youngest world champ ever and the oldest, he’s won 54 WCT victories. He is simply the world’s greatest surfer of all time. There is even a very valid argument to say that he may well be the greatest athlete of any sport, EVER!! And then there is all the other stuff – redefining modern surfing, owning companies that value ethics and sustainability over pure profit – with Firewire, Purps, Kelly Slater Wave co and Outerknown … there is simply too much to cover…in a word – Kelly IS surfing, he is the greatest of all time.

Join us for a screening of Momentum Generation on our UK tour, with tickets still available for Newcastle, London, Bournemouth, Exeter, Bristol, Newquay, Edinburgh, Worthing, Ilfracombe & St Ives. Grab yours here. Or find out more about the film here.