Abe Andrews is enjoying his 2nd year on the Dream Tour. Considering he failed to earn any rating points in his first year, he might consider himself fortunate. He does.
It's not his ability to surf (which he does well), but his ability to serve that sees Abe in the water alongside the world's best, at some of the most iconic and consequential breaks around the globe, albeit not in heats, and not in a coloured rashie.
Abe is the Tour Chaplain, an ASP sanctioned volunteer role, and under the banner of Christian Surfers International. His job, if it could be seen as such, is to support those guys we look up to, be a friend, and be there for the times the bread falls butter-side down.
The reason this role can't be seen as a job is not for the reason you'd think. Who wouldn't love to join the ASP circus, build relationships with a few childhood idols, surf in Tahiti, Hawaii, California, Brazil, all in the same calendar year? That is not why Abe doesn't see this as a 'job' though. It's simply a personality set, and a way of life.
I was lucky enough to spend a few days at Bells with Abe during the Rip Curl Pro. As expected, it was raining, windy and the waves mushy for most of my time on the surf coast, but I was still witness to his Abe-ness. Opportunities aren't hunted; just seem to occur, for time, long or short, with the guys he's there to support. He cares about the parts of their lives that will never appear in a magazine, and has the rare ability of being unaffected by celebrity.
He never speaks of the issues he may be an ear to and doesn't drop names. At 25 years, I fear I couldn't have been as trustworthy, but Abe has a gift. He also has dedication, but he would call it obedience. This is a 'job' that earns him nothing and costs him much.
Spending time with Abe means meeting Pro Surfers. He's a homing beacon that they're unwittingly drawn to. In 3 days I met over a dozen of the top 45, and a few of the all-time greats, and none of the meetings were planned. His job is to 'be around', and something, or someone, out there is having a hand in making it happen. Abe has no doubts as to who that someone is.
Abe is not a priest, and makes no pretence to perfection. He's a blessed man who's been placed in a position where he can, in confidence, encourage and support a bunch of guys that most think have no need of encouragement and support. His wife Lize joins him at most of the contests, and they do this from their own pockets, and the help of some supportive individuals.