It seems like yesterday ,Tank myself and smokie were having a few drinks after a surf session in the famous Smokies soup bowl bar ,yes it was a land mark and every pro surfer that ever came to Barbados and every surfer that challanged the famous soup bowl has been in the bar even if it was just to say thanks for droping in on me ,Smokie .His reputation was larger than life and he is in just about every film taken at soup bowl ,some footage funny some not so funny.I saw him being draged by two cows through the bushes at speed just by the bar.I ve also seen hin do a Jane Fonda work out on the beach with Kelly .compeditavely i might add.Ive also seen him drop in on Kelly and laugh all the way to the beach just to let him know ,just a surfer dude.love or hate Smokie the place just dosent feel the same without him and the bar.In fact soup bowl is starting to look a bit sparce .To cut a long story short Matthew phoned me and said Russell are you watching TV?i replied no he said switch it on quickly they licking down Smokie place .He standing there bewildered.I switched on the box and sure enough it was NEWS.I personaly like Smokie ,for the most part of it he made me laugh and there was never a dull moment with him and the bar ,a sad day.definately a colorful individual and what ever surfer ive meet overseas knows of him and the bar if you are a surfer and you have visited Barbados you will have met Smokie and will have a story to tell.Well that about wraps it up .GOOD LUCK SMOKIE see ya soon Russell.