Rob Machado

I think I'm one of the most fortunate people in the world. I travel around looking for the best waves and appreciate it every second.

To catch a wave, to stand up - it was just life-changing. There was nothing that even came close. I quit playing all other sports - by the time I was eleven, they were toast.

Truthfully, I despise hotels. I've had such better experiences staying at people's houses and guesthouses; it's so much more comfortable and homey.

I don't write constantly; it's two serials and a novel a year.

Australia is a resource-rich nation. We have been good at exploiting our minerals base and agricultural sector for exports.

Boston is an oasis in the desert, a place where the larger proportion of people are loving, rational and happy.