“What’s your guiltiest pleasure? Florence and the Machine, or longboarding.”
Short questions and big answers from the key players in the surf world.
Patrick Langdon-Dark is a former Under 18 British Champion and QS surfer from Swansea, Wales. PLD had a breakout year in 2021 when he secured a career-best 5th place in the Azores Pro and finished in the top 100 of the QS. The following year he finished 13th on the European QS, which placed him on the list as an alternate for the 2022 Challenger Series events. In September, he will represent the UK at the 2022 ISA World Surfing Games, held at Huntington Beach. Wavelength caught up with the electric goofyfooter just before his shift work at his old man’s furniture store.
When were you happiest?
Probably when I made the Semifinals in the Azores. That was my first result and it allowed me to get over that mental block of putting everyone on a pedestal. It was the first time I didn’t stress who I was surfing against, so that was a huge step for me and I felt way more confident.
When were you most scared in the ocean?
I was about 12, and I surfed this lefthand point near home for the first time. There are two sections to the point; the first is right in front of the cliff, and the second is further down. My mates didn’t tell me that they were surfing the second part. I was caught in the current, paddling in front of the cliff for 45 minutes. I finally made it to the beach, crying. The boys then told me said I just had to drift down to the second section. I still have never been so scared in my life.
What is your most embarrassing moment?
That’s easy. I was in Ballito this year at my first Challenger Series event. The day before the event was the only free surfing day and absolutely everyone was surfing. I did a turn on the shorebreak and somehow managed to find the only patch of rocks on the whole beach. I buckled my board and was rolled over the rocks onto the sand. All the coaches and all the surfers were watching. I have never been so embarrassed.
Who is the funniest person you know?
Probably Stan Norman. He dresses and struts around like the biggest English chav at the events. He just does not care. He’s hilarious.
Who is the tightest?
Has to be Logan Nichol. Getting money out of him is like squeezing juice from a lemon.
What’s the most expensive thing you’ve bought apart from property?
My van, for sure.
What’s your guiltiest pleasure?
Florence and the Machine, or longboarding.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
My unibrow. I always have to shave my unibrow, it’s so heavy.
What’s your most treasured possession?
My passport.
When did you last cry and why?
Probably when I found out I didn’t get into the Challenger Series at Snapper Rocks. I teared up then.
What was your closest brush with the law?
Probably when I took out a chunk of a French service station in an accident driving with my van. The owners got pretty heated, threats were made. That was awkward.
What would be the song that is played at your funeral?
Heart-Shaped Box by Nirvana. Not so good for a funeral, but it’s my favourite song.
I’ll give you Logan Nichol, Stan Norman, and Luke Dillon. You have to punch one in the face, go on a two-week holiday with another, and have the last as a best friend forever.
I’ll punch Stan in the face. You have to be his dad at the events and sometimes he needs it. I’ll do two weeks with Luke, ’cause he’s so mellow and likes a drink. And Logan for bff, he’d be too upset if I didn’t choose him.
