On the Fringe: With James “Werm” McAnulty

Wave riding was always meant to be fun, about expression, freedom, connection and getting away from it all. It has a long and decorated history throughout different coastal regions around the world, with the surfboard being the most well known, utilised surf craft.

But… there is more then one way to surf a wave, and many of the alternative wave riding methods may even predate the surfboard! From body surfing to bodyboarding, hand planing, mat riding, SUPs, and foils, there are endless ways to get your froth on.

I recently spoke to alternative wave rider, James “Werm” McAnulty, a hard charging slab booger turned fringe surfer that has a new found celeb status in his home state of Western Oz. (Google ABC Perth)

Werm is a full blown character and rides waves for the pure joy of it. Anyone who knows Werm or has met him along the way will know what I’m talking about. He’s the type of guy that makes an impression, from his easy going nature to his banjo tunes and his new found love for a goon bag, Werm is what its all about.

We discuss his early years in South West Victoria, surf culture in different states of Australia, alternative surf craft and the fringe surfing movement, check it out below!

Werm takes a heavy drop on the boog- Image by @salted_visions

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Q. You’ve been riding waves for 30 years! Tell us how you got into the sport and what you were riding in the early days?

A. Yep! In the early 90’s me and my brother actually started hammering down closeouts at Mcgennan’s Beach (in Warrnambool, Victoria) on a surfmat! I wanted a bodyboard so bad, but money was tight in our family. Mum got me a waterlogged boat of a bodyboard and a pair of dive flippers from a garage sale & I was in love. I rode that board to death and as soon as I got my first job, I bought myself a Manta Cobra.

Q. What drew you to a bodyboard over a surf board?

A. I never chose bodyboarding over stand up surfing, it was just all bodyboarding! A couple of my mates at school were into it, they had magazines and the images in them blew my mind.. all I wanted to do was catch a wave like Mike Stewart at pipe.

Q. Tell us about your fondest memories growing up on the South West Victorian coast and how they shaped who you are as a wave rider today:

A. My fondest memories of growing up boogin was definitely with mates. Wilson, Palmer, Amos, Iddles and myelf, after school riding our bikes down to bodyboarders hill or across the river to Japs (Logans Beach). Getting fish n chips after a cold winter surf, hanging out at Southern Guns (surf shop) talking shit to Cory, they were the best days!

It’s shaped me to appreciate every session, because Vicco is cold and relentless. My wetsuits back in the day were always oversized… trying to fit my tiny frame. If I’m having an unmotivated day, I just think back to Vicco grommet days and that slaps me back to reality.

Werm body surfing- Image by @humanbeingnotreasoning

Q. You moved to WA over 10 years ago. How does the surf and bodyboard culture over there compare to Victoria?

A. I moved to WA in 2012. There’s not much difference in surf culture, it’s pretty much the same as Victoria. Bodyboarders have there spots, surfers got their’s. An artificial reef has recently been put in and that has brought every one together, so there is interesting dynamics going on in the line up!

The other noticeable difference is travel distance. I remember going to Portland for a surf and that would be considered a big day, but covering over 100 kms is an average day of surfing in WA.

Q. Your an advocate for riding multiple surf craft, body surfing and the overall enjoyment of wave riding.  Tell us what you are currently experimenting with:

A. I’m an advocate for making the most out of surfing shitty waves, cause there’s nothing worse than going to a spot and it’s crap. I can’t go home without getting in the water so body surfing usually satisfies me. However, the past couple years mat surfing has come onto my radar. It’s hard, it’s complicated, and it’s super fun in average waves! The goon bag is just like a mini mat really, had that on my mind for a while. It just so happened that on the goon bags maiden voyage, I was spotted by a journalist (ABC Perth) and then the goon bag literally blew up! I can’t believe how big that got …hahaha!

Q. What is a "Fringe Surfer" and what drew you  into this global movement?

A. Fringe surfing is anything other than mainstream surfing. Bodyboarding, body surfing, hand planes, mat surfing… friggin McDonalds tray surfing.. anything!

I think I’ve always been drawn to it, but now after becoming a dad my mind set has changed. I don’t have the urge anymore to chase slabs. The pressure is off, I’m content, had my fill..just getting in the water for 30mins for a paddle/gutslide/matsurf.. whatever …as cheesy as it sounds …it’s a newfound freedom.

Werm riding a surf mat- image by @salted_visions

Q. Do you have any advice or tips for anyone wanting to experiment with alternative surf craft?

A. Yea…. Keep it fun!

Q. How can people learn more about Fringe Surfing?

A. YouTube, Insta…. #fringesurfing #matsurfing … anything with George Greenough, that man is the godfather!