Introducing our latest member, Jake Kabbout
Nationality?
Australian, born to a first-generation Japanese mother and Lebanese father.
Current Position?
First-year medical student at the University of Wollongong.
Education and work experience?
BSc Hons Biotech/Exercise Physiology UNSW, Master of Public Health UON and First-year Graduate Medicine UOW
Previous Volunteer Work
Current – President of Disabled Surfers Association Sydney and Treasurer of Wollongong University Medical Student Society
Previous – Asia Justice and Rights
Medical interests?
Rural specialist and GP
Local surf spot?
Gerringong (Werri Beach)
What is your favourite surf destination?
Somewhere in Japan!
Travel experience?
Love it. Spent time in remote surf locations like Tupira, Papa New Guinea. And off the beaten track in Indonesia like Raja Ampat and Sulawesi.
Tell us about your best surf trip ever.
2014, I had just finished high school and spent a year on a 60cc moped chasing typhoon swells in Japan. Memorable and formative for many reasons. I also got the best waves with no one around besides some old family and friends who had found this place 30 years ago and never left. Food and culture are constantly enriching to reconnect with, especially when I’ve been in Australia too long. The winter powder in Hakuba was also pretty amazing.
Tell us about your worst surf trip ever.
At the beginning of this year, I went up to Byron Bay with a few friends and girlfriends for a week. I got about 1ft of swell for most of the trip, which was perfect for everyone and was really lovely. But, when the swell turned on for one day, The Pass, turned into, The Zoo. It was properly firing, 4ft Kelly Slater wave pool kind of day. Which made it so much worse when every man and their dog was treating the lineup like a Twitter comment section. Burning people without looking or respecting the person on the other side of their board. Carnage. I grew up in Byron Bay and vowed to never surf that spot again with so many people.
What is the worst surf injury you have ever had to treat?
Board to the head. I conducted first aid, stemming blood flow and wrapping the wound before taking him to the ED, where he got 5 stitches.
The best thing about surfing?
The instant immersion in nature. Bonus when you can enter flow state with her.
What was the best advice you have ever received regarding surfing?
Timing. Its everything. Also, watching it and others who know the break. Reading it before just charging out will save you a lot of trial and error.
Favourite surfer in the world and why?
Torren Martin right now. I mean, how could you not be enamoured of the life his living. The effortless style in waves of consequence.
Current go-to surfboards? (make and dims)
Sharp eye Inferno – 6’1” performance
Hand-shaped Tom Lo – 6’6” Twin pin
FireWire Special T – 9’2” Mal
Any other information you would like to add about yourself
4th-year medicine at the University of Wollongong allows for an elective to be anywhere in the world, and G-Land sounds all-time, haha.