Smorgasboarder_23_Feb_2016-s

LATEST: ARTISTS & GENERALLY CREATIVE FOLKS
“Making surfboards is relevant to me because I can go for a surf in the
morning, trot back home, shape a board, put an artwork on it and it is a
functional item you can use and even hang in the house. It ticks all my
boxes.”
Being a father of three kids the final few questions I wanted to ask Brett
were in relation to his family and indeed how he has lead his life so far.
I was keen to know whether he felt his kids truly appreciated the special
childhood they have had.
“I think now they are at school they are realising they have had a unique
upbringing. I totally expect them to live in the city later on and do all sorts
of things but at least they have a base they can always come back to. You
have to learn through your own experience and it is through experience
you can make better and more informed decisions. We are coming into
the realms of drugs and parties and we only hope as parents we have
given them as much info as possible so they come out the other side.
“We are very proud of them both. Both Asher and Alex are unbelievable
writers, they’re right into music, surfing and are full of action. We have
never had a TV in front of them. Instead of all that time kids spend in front
of screens our kids have been doing other things all their lives. They are
very active awesome kids.”
As to what the future holds Brett had this to say.
“Money has never been a force in my life. I just need enough to get
by. Even here in Congo, everything we own are things we have found in
opshops or what we have been given. Nothing is precious. It is a weird
existence but it is a fine existence.”
He may consider possessions to be of no great worth, however the story
Brett has shared with me about the life his family has lead is undeniably
absolute gold.
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SMORGASBOARDER | SUMMER 2016