CJ Nelson

@cj_nelson

Birth place: SF.

Formal name: Mark Charles James Nelson the 3rd.

Nickname: Ceej

I’m CJ, 43 years old, and I’m a 25 year professional surfer from San Francisco, CA. I’m part owner of multiple companies related to surfing and a designer/artist by trade. Family, friends, and surfing are the most important things in my life. Living each day like it’s your last and having a clear enough head to enjoy it. Learning to coexist and love one day at a time.

Whats your why? To be here now. Live in the moment helping as many people as I can along the way.

Favorite breakfast? Avocado toast and dark coffee.

Who’s your biggest inspiration? I’ve got a few. My business partners Mark and Yu continue to teach me important lessons. Beautiful men who I love and value. My mom for her strength and honesty. Devon Howard for his smarts, passion and talent. He’s my favorite surfer as well. Also the Dali lama for his wisdom and compassion.

Chose one for the rest of your life: Perfect waves or perfect fades? Waves for sure. Although a good fade is priceless.

What would you tell yourself 10 years ago? Take care of your responsibilities and be nice.

Photos: John Stone, Justin Bowers, Sean Parkin, Billy Watts, and Nick Landon

Reilly Stone

@Reillywstone

Darshan Gooch

Birth place: Oxnard, CA

Formal Name: Darshan Paul Gooch

Father, husband, working class, free surf enthusiast. Currently raising a family and working through a human experience while trying to enjoy / express myself along the way.

Whats your why? Appreciation for the natural world. Continuing to stay true to myself and others. Sharing the things we love with our loved ones. Making small attempts to shed light in dark places.

Favorite breakfast? Coffee, some yoga, and something to keep my feet on the ground.

Who's your biggest inspiration? My inspiration comes from all directions. I’m constantly inspired by sea birds how they can dance along the waves with endless grace and beauty. Always adapting to the subtleties, flowing elegantly with ease and never leaving a mark on the wave.

What would you tell yourself 10 years from now? Are you still riding life’s wave with an open heart and mind? Do you love yourself and those around you? Or are you just consuming shit and keeping your bills paid?

@gooch_d

Pictures by Brian Garrison @wetfeetphoto

Jon Paul Garner

@jehpea

Birthplace: Martinez, CA

Formal Name: Jon Paul Garner

Favorite Breakfast: Windmill Cafe

Biggest Inspiration: My biggest inspiration in life is my best friend (& wife) Abby.

Biggest Surfing Inspiration: My biggest inspirations in surfing are Darshan Gooch, CJ Nelson, Joel Tudor, and Alex Knost.

What would you tell yourself 10 years ago? Its only going to get a whole lot better.

Brigg Busenhart

@briggbusenhart

Birth Place: Santa Cruz/Soquel, CA.

Favorite Breakfast: Sunrise Cafe, down the street from my house in Soquel.

Biggest Inspiration: My biggest inspiration is my family. My mother, father, and sister. They all have shown me how to truly live with kindness at heart, and humbleness of the soul. They’ve taught me how to bring joy to others, and how to make sure …

Pickle or Cucumber? Cucumber. It gives whatever you are eating/drinking that icy crunch of enthusiasm. — Biggest Inspiration: My biggest inspiration is my family. My mother, father, and sister. They all have shown me how to truly live with kindness at heart, and humbleness of the soul. They’ve taught me how to bring joy to others, and how to make sure I am always my best self.

Biggest Surfing Inspirations? Darshan Gooch has always been someone I have looked up to for surfing. He is someone who views surfing with different perspectives, and turns them into master flow. He shows a great example of how to surf with kindness … — **Biggest Surfing Inspirations?** Darshan Gooch has always been someone I have looked up to for surfing. He is someone who views surfing with different perspectives, and turns them into master flow. He shows a great example of how to surf with kindness to others, and peacefulness to his mind. All around, Darshan has been a huge inspiration of how to live spiritually in all aspects of surfing.

What would you tell yourself 10 years from now?

I would ask myself am I still trying to live with a humble/kind out bringing, and am I giving back to the world compared to taking. Am I still trying to better myself, and the other around me? Lastly, am I always remembering to have fun within good spirits.

What’s your why?

To be grateful for what I have, and those around me. Always maintain a healthy mindset.

Mark Campbell

@marklouiscampbell

Birth Place: Santa Cruz

Formal name: Mark Louis Campbell

Nickname: Marky Mark

Currently striving to become a man of peace, humility, and compassion. Pastoring an awesome group of land pirates, writing a book titled Finding Dad and another called The Tribal Way, learning how to be the best to my wife and family, riding bicycles, surfing as much as I can and driving a 1995 GMC van affectionately named Harold.

**What's your why?** I try to leave the planet better than when I entered it by living my life as best I can. I do that by collecting, living and sharing great stories and by building things that have never been built.

Favorite breakfast? Coffee for sure. An americano with coconut cream, then a smoothie with real coconut, spinach, almonds, hemp, blueberries and turmeric. Or steak and eggs. Timeless.

Who's your biggest inspiration? That's tough. So many inspire me. Honestly, my wife the lovely Kathleen Campbell. From the day I met her she’s inspired me to be a better human in every way.

Choose one for the rest of your life: Perfect waves of perfect fades? Perfect waves, duh.

What would you tell yourself 10 years ago? Relax. It’s all going to come together so enjoy today and live every moment of today to the fullest. And, in ten years you’re going to be fatter, uglier, grayer and smell really bad.