The Bra Boys: Australia's most notorious surf "gang." Their 2007 documentary, Blood is Thicker than Water, is the highest grossing non-Imax documentary in Australian history. Some of the world's best heavy wave chargers, like Mark Mathews and Koby Abberton, are key members, but their reach transcends surfing. The media loves a good Bra Boy story, whether it's clashing with the police force or hooking up with Paris Hilton.

"My Brothers Keeper" is a tattoo adorned by members around the beach in Maroubra, as well as the name of their clothing company. While living in Sydney over the summer I discovered that they also have a passion for snowboarding, which is how the Bra Boys became my new surfing mates.

The morning after a shithouse night on the town with the whole crew, I found myself in the water with Ahu Taylor and Richie "Vas" Vaculik, two lifelong Bra Boys. During our two surf sessions on this first day I witnessed three people get "sent-in" from the beach by the Boys, as well as a pretty epic parking lot brawl, (Warning: Do not attempt to push a Bra Boy off of his surfboard after dropping in on him, you will not go home in one piece) and things only got more interesting from there. These guys are no joke. Thankfully they had my back, treating me with respect and going out of their way to help my surfing and show a Canadian a great time while Down Under.

This "sending in" business of regulating their waves had me thinking how it would cross over into snowboarding. With the backcountry getting more crowded, you hear stories of areas being claimed by certain groups, film crews racing other other to spots, and blowing up cheese wedges post-session. Are snowboarders going to start taking matters into their own hands, sending others off the mountain for tracking their pow? It may not be far off.

Post-surf, Bra Boys Ahu Taylor and R-J Williams took some time to shoot the shit about regulating the line-up, My Brothers Keeper clothing, and snowboarding in Australia. Check out their Aussie slang below and get some "My Brothers Keeper" clothing at www.mbksoldiers.com.

Ahu Taylor, Mark Mathews and Andrew Sayer.

While starting off as predominantly surfers, there now seem to be Bra Boys representing different sports and cultures all over. Where else are guys getting noticed?

Ahu Taylor: Man, we have boys repping all kinds of industry and sports, we have MMA fighters -- one of the boys, Ritchie Vas, holds the record for quickest knock out in Australasia -- Mark Mathews just won the biggest wave award for last year; it was like a 30 foot wave. We have boys playing rugby league, pro skaters, pro boarders, some off the hook artists and one of our boys is blowing up with his rapping -- Kid Mac. He is supporting The Game at the end of the year.

R.J. Williams: We've had a presence at the snow for some time now, a couple of the boys even own lodges and tour businesses down there; Torah Bright's brother and coach Bennie Bright rides for MBK, too...

What's the snowboard scene like in Australia?

Ahu: What scene? [laughs] We were hoping Whistler Blackcomb were going to buy our resort last year and make one. Nah, its OK, bra... It's pretty tight; our parks are not huge, but our park crew is world class so they do there best with what they got.

RJ: The snow scene in Australia is small... there are very few mountains, but the terrain is world class. It's just a way shorter season, and everyone knows everyone else, so it's pretty tight like most surfing communities.

What gets you hyped on snowboarding? Are there any similarities to surfing?

Ahu: Mate, the boys are always up to going down for the weekend from time to time, but if I don't get down there for at least one or two days in the week I start bugging out. Yeah, surfing we don't have fuck-wit lifties checking on tickets and surfing you paddle, unless we are tow-surfing.

RJ: Surfers love their slash turns, and high speed charger runs, the big difference is not having to paddle out...If they had chairlifts in the surf every break would be overcrowded.

Can you explain how "sending someone in" works, as it is mostly a surf phenomenon that most of our snowboard crowd doesn't know much about. Does it stem straight from localism or is it just to keep kooks out of the line-up?

Ahu: It's unreal that peeps want to learn to surf, but they need to learn the rules first. Some just come and surf and think they own the place; not a good thing to do in Maroubra. You have seen it: I sent that fucker in when we went surfing remember? [laughs]

RJ: Yeah, I guess it happens in snow too. You get those dereks just sitting there all day, waiting to hit something, so once the first person charges through without waiting the others there should get the message. I think it's more about kooks just knowing their role and shutting their mouth.

Surf culture, especially in Maroubra, is a little different than snowboard culture. What are the best reasons for sending someone in?

Ahu: Fuck reasons, bra. Its all about crowd control. I have sent people out of the water simply because there were to many heads in the water.

Do your surfing strategies ever carry over onto the snow? Or is everyone a little more relaxed since there is enough snow for everyone?

Ahu: For sure... don't be scared, you are only limited by your own fears. Like anything, if peeps see you having a go then they normally give you props and stand aside.

RJ: Yeah and no. Tourist towns attract a lot of dickheads, whether it's the snow or the beach, so you have to stick together just to avoid drama.

Sayer and Richie Vas.

Let's talk about the clothing line, My Brothers Keeper. When did it start, what is the background story?

RJ: It all started in Sydney, Australia. A friend of mine got in trouble with the law and was facing a 14-year jail term, all for not telling on his brother, although he knew nothing. My Brothers Keeper is a fashion label for all out they're who are their brothers keeper. [It's for people] who believe their friends and family come before anything... It's for all races, whether you are Australian, Canadian, Lebanese, Asian, Greek, Italian, African, American, or from fuckin' Mars...

Who's behind the brand?

Ahu: Bra Jed, Koby, Jai and myself got it registered back in 2002. It has slowly but surely gotten bigger. Good things come to those who wait. We sponsor a few people now and it is getting out into other countries.

Any plans to move into Canada?

Ahu: Was that an offer to rep for us in Canada, bra? I want it there ASAP; I fuckin' love Canadians. We need some boys out there riding for us.

RJ: Hells, yeah. We wanna move in everywhere, I want your little sister wearing it.

Koby Abberton caricature.

The Bra Boys documentary from a few years ago was a massive hit both in Australia and overseas. Word is that the Hollywood version is getting set for production with Russell Crowe at the helm. Have you heard where it's at lately?

Ahu: Yeah, I spoke to Ron Jeremy a couple months ago... he has been hearing stories about me and wants to play me.

RJ: I heard they're gonna get Justin Timberlake to play me, Marky Mark is playing Koby and Ron Jeremy is gonna be Ahu. Jon Heder is gonna play Bennie Bright.

Bra Boys documentary trailer:

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