#thomas vanmelum

Notice the title doesn't say "A Chicken Wing" but "THE Chicken Wing." So here's the story behind this. If you follow my blog you know I love to do a style of bodysurfing called Chicken Wing. Don't ask why it's called that, it's pretty obvious.

The first time I ever saw this wasn't even in person, it was in a photo. I was like "I want to go to there." (click here) So I did. You should too. There's just something about it to me that represents control. Anyway...

I made the decision to take the chicken wing to the next level by doing what ever logical person would do: Get a chicken mask and take off on a wave (on the North Shore) while wearing the chicken mask and doing the chicken wing. Enjoy.

At this point in time I didn't realize what I was getting into.

There are no eye holes in that mask...you just look through the opening of the beak. I was mainly thinking about taking off on a wave and didn't really consider how I was going to get out to the wave, through the surf, without losing the mask. Enter my trusty VanMelum Speedos from Aquadeus! I shoved the mask in there and headed out!

Yup. Just backstroking in between surfers and what not. Honk the horn...

It took me about 10 minutes just to get out to the break. I figured if I lose this mask, I've travelled to Hawaii for NOTHING! This is the only reason I came here. JK bro...jk

Occasionally I would float too far in and almost get swallowed.

I knew I was only going to be able to take one wave, so I wanted to make sure it was the perfect one. How would I determine the perfect wave? Simple. Dumb luck.

I waited so long for the perfect wave I got swept away from the SPOT.

At this point in time I had been out in the water for about 30 minutes without having caught a single wave. That doesn't seem like a long time, unless you've been wearing a chicken mask that entire time. Thank god I went to college and don't have to dress up as a chicken for a living.

OH SHIT!!! This is the wave...get out of my way kid...Comin' Down!

I honestly had no idea where I was or what was going on. I couldn't really even see. I'd love to tell you how dialed in I was and that I'm just that fucking awesome but that's not the case. The whole time I was thinking about how stupid this was, but  obviously I had to catch a wave. Focus Thomas...feel the wave...go left...one chance...chicken wing for GOD SAKE! Without further ado...

That's what we got. I got completely wrecked and piledrived on this wave, but I'm pumped to do it again. 

Well if you haven't noticed Team Blacksheep has partnered with our good friends over at URT Clothing. These guys support everything bodysurfing (#WOMP). We are hoping that, through our partnership we will be able to bring you more better bodysurfing photos, more better videos, and more better events. This is America, and more is always better.

You might have seen these shirts around or in some photos so allow me to give you the backstory.

We are reserving these shirts for Team Blacksheep members only. That's right, I kind of made a members only reference there. Other colors may become available for purchase as URTxTeamBlacksheep see fit, but the red ones are rewarded and earned. Find a bowling ball. Now find another one. That's how big your balls have to be to rock one of these shirts.

This is our way of recognizing who is pushing the envelope, pushing themselves, and pushing their limits in bodysurfing. We want everyone to be worthy of these shirts and we want everyone to have one, but you still have to prove yourself.

How do you prove yourself? That's for your to decide. Get creative. Anything from videos, pictures, just being an awesome person, etc. It's up to you, and feel free to contact us at [email protected]. As always, there is more to come...

You and I both know bodysurfing is badass. So tell your friends.

Honk the Horn. Call the Police.

Fishing. Jumping Rope. Chess. Kite flying.

These all sound like fun things to do in your spare time, but they have one major thing in common: they have competitions / professionals. Look it up. A lot of these things even have major sponsor backing, organization, governing bodies, etc. So for me it begs the question, "Does bodysurfing need all of this?" The answer is a resounding YES! But why?

Well for all you grumpy old die-hards who go straight to the argument "It's going to become too popular...it ruins the pureness of the sport...etc. think of it this way: It's for the die-hard bodysurfers not the masses.

What if there was a governing body that raised funds to help bodysurfers travel to competitions? 

What if we could get a competition at Lowers?

What if we could make more videos of GREAT bodysurfing?

DEFINE "Competitions": a gathering of great bodysurfers. 

The point I am trying to make is the organization of bodysurfing can only help those which love it the most. Oceanside should not be the representation of our sport...Pipeline should be. Wedge should be. Point Panic should be. Some of those breaks at Leme beach should be. Those would be unbelievable exhibitions, documenting some of the best water ninjas to ever live. But those things aren't going to be handed to us all, we are going to have to work for them.

I know this stuff isn't going to happen next month, or even next year. But I believe there is a paradigm shift happening in the sport and we should all support it. Just by posting photos of yourself on facebook, going to the gatherings, and even rocking your fins and speeds occasionally, you are doing your part and helping the cause. 

I guess that's enough seriousness for one day...

If someone can get me a GIANT white beard, I will rock that thing on the biggest wave a beard has ever seen. In case you aren't familiar with the beard I had, see below. I try to grow this every now and again but WIFE puts an end to it very quickly. I did however wear it for our wedding, so it had a good run and some great shots.

This one isn't as fun as the ones in the past...but I'll pass the mic to King Rotten and let you decide:

Thomas, aloha brother, I hope all is well for you.

  I've tried, Lord knows I've tried to reach out to you............and I've explained that I get it, why you continue to dismiss me, I get it. 

  But tonight, I could really use your help and advice, and unless you are online right now as I type, it's likely I won't get any, but I figured it is worth a try because I am in a REAL bad spot right now.  Last week my son Chest found out that you have a Waterman advice/Q&A website that one of the Strand crew told him about, and while I was up at Rincon visiting him, he told me about it........but I lost the web address to it............and Dammit, Chest isn't answering my texts right now...............he's always been a miserable unreliable sunuvabitch of a son and tonite just solidifies that fact.  My deadbeat son is probably at a drunken bash with the Pit Crew, when I need him most.

  So I'm turning to you directly via email, friend.  I'm having a real tough time, I know my time has past as a focal point in the surf, and at after-parties, but I've never felt as low as I do right now.  I guess I finally have to face my early 50's age. I'm at Nico's........he's throwing a huge party shack tonite, we've all spent the past 2 days down at El Mat riding smallies from the after energy of the weekend, testing our new fin design, it has been incredible and because of the successful performance of the 'Chargers' in smally-like conditions, Nico opened his house up (and booze cabinets) tonite to celebrate the fact that all of our hard work just may have paid off and we could be marketing the 'Chargers' by 2013.  Mackie and I stayed and rode late at El Mat because the wind wasn't up yet, so I only arrived at Nico's with fins, a bottle of crown, and a 12ver of Imperial in hand with salt still on my brow, just an hour ago.  Normally this type of entrance alone (back in the day) would afford me the ability to score one of the chicks of a finer quality at Nico's bashes.  Worked every time.  If I had a nickel for every time I was able to lock down and bend over a stoke smitten broad at a Nico bash, I'd be very well off.............but tonite something has gone wrong........very wrong.  None of the hot ones even turned their heads when I arrived, rather, some hungry sweathog chick honed in on me straight away and has been on me all night like white on rice.  This chick, (Beverly I think her name is) is a Nebraskin visiting cousin of a neighbor and can only be described as a nightmare shadow that has ruined everything for my chances of honing in on anything decent.

  I've locked myself in the bathroom with my laptop and I swear I can hear her scratching at the door, and now I ask you what should I do?  What would you do in my shoes?  I can't bone this sweathog......not sure if it's even possible for me to perform...................should I just snap a J and be done with the evening?  Man, this is a real awakening for me.  I guess it is really is over for me.    From here on out, it's just gonna be about the surf............forget chicks man.

  If you're there, what is your advice column website and what would you do man?