I had the pleasure of meeting Melvin Lipke in the water this past summer, while casually heading out for a surf at my local not-so-secret spot. As luck would have it, my chance meeting with Melvin occurred just a few days after I had interviewed his big bro who was then in strong contention for a seat on the World Tour. For those unfamiliar with the young and extremely talented Melvin, he is the younger brother of 2009 World Tour surfer, Marlon Lipke. Like his big brother, he’s a Portuguese local of German nationality, who surfs professionally under the German flag. And, like his big brother, he’s a modern day power surfer, grinding through turns and destroying sections. In the New Year, I decided to give Melvin a call to catch up.
What have you been up to since summer of 2008?
After my trip to the U.S. this summer for a photo shoot with my sponsor, Protest, we headed off to the Mentawais for a surf shoot. It was my second trip to the Mentawais in 2008, and I had a great trip with the team. Then I came back to Portugal and have just been surfing around home.
My parents went to Sri Lanka for a while (the Lipkes host a surf camp there), so I’ve been keeping watch at home (Lagos, Portugal, where the Lipkes have a surf resort). I had the Protest boys over a little while ago and we scored some great surf. Now we’re focusing on making ads for Protest. They’re doing really well despite the terrible economy; much better than the big surf companies.
So you’ve been holding down the fort while your parents are away. Are you active in the family business?
Not really. I have a surf coach degree. I help out with the business when my family needs me, but I really have been focusing almost all of my time on training and surfing.
What are your plans for 2009? Any travel plans and contests?
I started competing a little last year on the World Qualifying Series. I’m planning to compete a lot more this year, but mostly competitions around Portugal and European events. As for travels, other than my plans to join Marlon at a few World Tour events, my year is still pretty wide open. I really enjoy going to really different countries and cultures, so I’ll try to see a few new places.
You’ve had a pretty solid Junior career. What are some of your biggest results?
I started competing quite late and focused mainly on local competitions. I went to the Portuguese nationals, entered the junior under 14 division, and won my first year. I continued until I was 16, and won every event I entered in Portugal. Then, I just sort of lost my motivation to compete for a while and stopped for a few years. When I was 19, I realized the end of my Junior career was nearing, so I entered a big Junior event in Portugal. (Melvin also took a little time out to win a few German National Junior titles along the way).
As we both were calling this summer, Marlon made the World Tour. How stoked are you for your big brother?
2008 was a crazy year for Marlon. He went into Hawaii ranked 9th, then suffered shockers at Haleiwa and Sunset. All the people who had to do well, did and passed Marlon in the process, leaving him at 16th in the rankings. He was really upset, after all the hard work he put into 2008, and even thought about quitting pro surfing. When he realized his 16th place finish would net him some injury replacement wildcards throughout 2009, he got a little more motivated.
Marlon came back to Portugal and was out with friends at night during the finals of the Pipe Masters. I was watching it live on the internet when they announced the three ASP Wildcards for 2009 during Kelly Slater and Chris Ward’s Final. I couldn’t believe it when I heard them announce Marlon’s name. I even called a few friends, who confirmed they heard the same. Then I frantically tried to call Marlon to break the news, but couldn’t get a hold of him because he had his ringer off. He finally called me back to see what I was calling about and I told him the good news. His manager called him as well and confirmed it, then the next morning it was all over the internet. He was so stoked. Marlon left Portugal to go party in Barcelona and Munich, and now he has a documentary coming out on Eurosport and Fuel TV, documenting his rise to the World Tour (see link: http://www.friday02.com/Marlon_Lipke/)
Is there anything in surfing that you do better than your brother?
I surf better than him after a night of drinking. I’m a better hangover surfer than him. Seriously though, he’s just on another level. I have always looked up to him and tried to do what he does. He’s such a power surfer, and I’ve just tried to emulate that.
Do you have any plans to try to get on the World Tour?
My brother has always been so much more focused on competition than I have. I’m just so relaxed and way more into free surfing. I started competing again last year and I liked it, but I realized that surfing itself is so much more important to me than competition. I want to focus more on freesurfing, traveling to new places and doing photoshoots. The World Tour is really cool, but it is so hard to qualify. You really need to have so much training and focus. When you’re in it full time, if you lose a few events, you really get down. I’ve seen how tough it can be through all that my brother went through.
What are your thoughts on this huge wave of Euro surfers?
During my last Junior event, I knew it would be just a matter of time before a bunch of these guys would be on the World Tour. The first group, Marlon, Tim Boal (FRA), Michel Bourez (PYF), Tiago Pires (PRT), Aritz Aranburu (EUK), Jeremy Flores (FRA) and Micky Picon (FRA), all made it, and they’re just the start. There’s still another Junior group who are on their way up and already making waves.
Who is the next big German surfer?
Nicolaus Von Rupp. He’s of German nationality, but like us, he lives in Portugal. He’s a good friend of mine, a really nice kid and an amazing competitor. He’s finishing up his school now and then he’s going to let loose. My family took him to the German championships a while back and we helped hook him up with Quiksilver. Nicolaus is really focused and motivated. He’s always in the water before and after school.
What are some of your favorite places to surf?
I love surfing at home in Portugal. The Mentawais are also incredible. You just roll up to beautiful perfect waves in the boat. The waves always break in the same place, they’re so rippable and easy to surf, and they have the most perfect barrels. Sri Lanka is also really fun. It’s so relaxed and really spiritual. It has really good conditions to learn how to surf, with a wide variety of breaks. My parents partner with a Sri Lankan group to run a camp down there. And, of course, I’m dying to get back to California and New York.
Who do you like to surf with the most?
I love surfing with Marlon, until he starts criticizing me. Some of my long time friends who I love surfing with are James Wright (British), Lars Von Ettro (Dutch), and top Swedish surfer Freddie Meadows, who will be competing for Sweden on the WQS this year. I also really love surfing with Yannick De Jager (Dutch), Lars Musschoot (Belgian) and the rest of the Protest team. I’m currently training and surfing a lot with Miguel Mouzinho (Lagos, Portugal).
Tell me a bit about your sponsors.
Being part of the Protest team has been great for me. I’m really stoked on them. They’ve been giving me a lot of push and motiviation. Plus, I really see myself in the brand. It’s a good fit. Protest is really pushing their brand in the European market right now. They’re very big in Holland and Germany, and growing in Italy, Spain and the rest of Europe. They’re campaigning to become a major European brand. Another great thing about them is that the team is all from Northern countries rather than the usual French, Spanish, and Portuguese athletes that usually get all of the attention.
I’m also sponsored by Oakley eyewear and Island Style for leashes and decks. I’m riding Fatum Surfboards, which are absolutely amazing shapes by a German shaper in Portugal. I’ve never been as happy with my boards as I am now.
When are you heading back to the U.S.?
Sometime this year. I’m definitely hoping to make it for the Trestles event. And, hopefully before then as well. Marlon’s dying to check out New York, and I’m dying to get back there.
We’re wishing you the best in the New Year Melvin. Keep charging, and look forward to seeing you again when you’re back in the States.
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