Meet Rumpl Athlete Grant 'Twiggy' Baker

@brainshots

MEET RUMPL ATHLETE

Grant 'Twiggy' Baker

Ballito, South Africa

Grant "Twiggy" Baker is a South African big wave surfer. He is a 3-time world surfing champion, ocean conservationist and entrepreneur. From Jaws to Mavericks, Twiggy travels the world setting records and inspiring the next generation of surfers.

Twiggy

BIG WAVE SURFER

@brainshots

MEET RUMPL ATHLETE

Grant 'Twiggy' Baker

Ballito, South Africa

Grant "Twiggy" Baker is a South African big wave surfer. He is a 3-time world surfing champion, ocean conservationist and entrepreneur. From Jaws to Mavericks, Twiggy travels the world setting records and inspiring the next generation of surfers.

Twiggy

BIG WAVE SURFER

@jonbakio

20 Questions with Twiggy

1. Favorite place to train?

Hawaii is the best for consistent big waves. With the warm water and good conditions during winter, it's an amazing place to be and train.

2. What moment made you realize you wanted to do this professionally?

Winning the Mavericks event in 2006 as a complete unknown was the catalyst to me becoming a professional surfer. It took a few years to put it together, but it was that day that made me realize it was possible.

3. Must-have travel essential?

I have a few, but my Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket is a multi use all-purpose item that's a must for travel.

4. Sporting hero?

Nelson Mandela. When he handed over the Rugby World Cup trophy to the South African Captain in 1994, it was a special moment for our country.

5. Favorite wave?

Jeffreys Bay, South Africa. If you have been, you will know. It's a 1 mile wall of water made by nature for surfers.

@euanart

6. Best piece of advice you’ve been given?

Live within your means and don't want for too much.

7. Most memorable moment in your career?

Winning the Dungeons event at home in Cape Town in 2008 was an amazing experience and the afterparty was legendary.

8. Bucket list adventure?

Ooofff, so many places so little time, but Japan has always been on my radar, and I’m still to make the journey.

9. Favorite way to recover?

Sleep haha. No, a good stretch on the floor while my daughter watches her programs on the couch above me for an hour in the evening is bliss.

10. Last book you read?

I’m busy with Barbarian Days and it's epic.

@brainshots

"Life is Good."

- Twiggy Baker

@richardhallman_photo

11. Biggest fear?

What the future is going to be like for my daughter. This is especially true in Africa where it's an amazing place to live as a single male, but for a young girl growing up, it's a crazy place to live.

12. Favorite TV show to binge?

I enjoy Love, Death and Robots. Have you seen it? It's pretty wild shit.

13. How do you take your coffee or tea?

No coffee for me, but I love a cup of black English tea with one sugar and a splash of milk.

14. Best concert you ever attended?

Wow, tough one, but I would have to say either Nick Cave in Perth or Portishead at Coachella.

15. Favorite weather to train in?

I love the weather at home - subtropical, not too hot, not too cold: perfect for surfing and training.

16. What are you listening to lately?

I’m a sucker for radios and Shazam and then listening to my Shazam playlist. Really enjoying the new Jack White and The Black Keys albums right now.

17. Last place you traveled and why?

I was down in Cape Town a couple weeks ago for a big swell and to check how my bars and restaurants are doing down there. Check out @thevillageidiotct on Instagram - it's a blast!

@katelovemore

18. What do you do to get in the zone?

I enjoy working on my equipment before a big swell or event. Making sure everything is in perfect working condition and ready to go on those special days of the year. I find this helps me focus and be ready for what's to come.

19. Funniest sport memory?

I think all the good times we have had over the years building Big Wave Surfing into a recognized sport. It has become more serious now for the younger generation, but it was a really good time back in the day. We had as much fun as possible in and out of the water.

20. What's Next?

I’m in Southern Africa for the season, watching the swell charts and weather and making decisions on where I need to be on any given day. It depends on where the best waves are with a few projects thrown in, taking other surfers and film crews surfing with me. We have some of the best waves in the world down here and it's my favorite time of the year.