My surfing journey kicked off around 10 years old when I joined the school surf club, mostly because my friends were into it. I had dabbled in the waves when I was around 4 or 5 years old, but it didn’t quite stick at that point.

It wasn’t until 11 that everything clicked into place. That’s when I met the one and only Gary from Gary’s Surf School. After introducing myself, he took me under his wing and opened my eyes to the magic of surfing. Gary’s coaching and mentorship transformed me from a wide-eyed grommet into a full-fledged surfer with an endless passion for the sport.

I owe so much to that pivotal encounter and Gary’s guidance. He unlocked something deep within me that day. Without him, who knows if I’d have the same obsession and love for riding waves that defines my life today. Gary’s Surf School – and Gary himself – will always hold a special place in my surfing origins story. Thanks to him, the stoke has been re-ignited with every sunrise session ever since

Pinning down my own surf style is always a bit tricky, but if I had to encapsulate it – smooth and timeless is the vibe I strive for. At least, that’s the idea! Sometimes reality doesn’t quite match the vision.

To me, surfing is an art form in its purest sense. So I aim to leave plenty of room for creativity and self-expression out in the lineup. Maybe that free-flowing approach is what sets me apart from some others.

At the end of the day, I’m a firm believer that everyone should surf in their own authentic way. Develop your unique skills and let your individuality shine through. Surfing is a personal journey – the more you can infuse your character into each turn and maneuver, the better.

While I may endeavor for a smooth, timeless style, embracing your original flair is what really matters. Surfing is too magical to get boxed into conformity. Let your freak flag fly out there and savor every personal accent you can add to each wave danced.

Getting the opportunity to represent Jbay Fin Design is truly an honor. This brand embodies everything I stand for as a surfer and ambassador. What draws me in is the fact that their fins aren’t mass-produced commodities. There’s a sense of craft, passion, and soul poured into every single one.

You can feel the love and meticulous attention to detail in Jbay Fin Design’s fins. They aren’t just churned out on an assembly line. Each template is carefully shaped and finished by dedicated craftsmen. That human touch and individual expressionism resonate deeply with my beliefs about surfing itself as an art form.

Riding fins made with such integrity and personal investment elevates the entire experience. You’re no longer just gliding across waves – you’re flowing in harmony with a product instilled with the maker’s personal energy and expertise. That’s the sort of powerful, emotional connection every surfer should aspire to with their equipment.

For me, being a team rider for a brand like Jbay Fin Design that prioritizes quality craftsmanship over quantity is a natural fit. In this age of automation, their artisanal approach is something truly special to be celebrated.

“Not just a fin, it’s a feeling” encapsulates the Jbay Fin Design philosophy perfectly. These aren’t just generic templates stamped out – each fin is a labor of love, assembled with painstaking craft and creative flair.

From the custom unique and creative panels to the intricate foil work, you can sense the personal passion imbued into every piece. Jbay Fin Design don’t simply shape fins, they sculpt works of hydrodynamic art instilled with soul and emotion.

That human element, that “feeling” the fin master channel into each design, becomes palpable when you stroke into a wave. As the water peels off the meticulously-crafted fin, you can’t help but sense the personal energy and expertise that went into its creation. It’s like the fin is an extension of the maker’s own stoke and devotion.

With Jbay, you’re not just slapping on an off-the-rack fin. You’re reuniting with that indescribable sense of connection and personal touch that surfing should always embody.  It’s more than just hydrodynamics – it’s a feeling.

DIE SEEKAT 10.5″ is currently my go-to longboard fin. This template delivers unreal nose-riding prowess with its incredible hold and stability. Yet it still allows me to draw out those long, arcing turns with sublime control. The best of both worlds.

The Supers V2 9.75″  just feels alive and energetic in the water. Incredibly drivey performance, yet it still lets me make micro-adjustments and tinker with my nose-ride at will. Compared to the Seekat, it trades a touch of that locked-in hold for a livelier feel.

Those two are my favorite fins for logging – I just lean on one or the other depending on the specific vibe I’m chasing. DIE SEEKAT for downright unshakable nose-riding security. The Supers when I want that extra zest and maneuverability.

As for my twin-fin quiver, the Aquarius twins are the hands-down winners. Such a beautifully balanced, all-around set. They drive and release with equal finesse. The perfect blend of positive engagement and free-flowing speed.

Of course, I’ve been fortunate to sample a wide array of Jbay Fin Design’s fins over the years. But those three designs are where I’ve camped out lately. Not to say the others don’t rip – the Chestnut, Salty, Point, you name it, they’re all magic. Bigger is just better for my logged-out style preference.

No matter the template though, that unmistakable Jbay feel is always present. You can sense the soul and artistry in every piece they craft.

Ah, my very first surfboard – an old school 6’6″ log that was thicker than a brick! I may not recall all the details, but I definitely remember not being able to tuck that thing under my arm. Just trying to lug it down to the beach was a workout in itself!

But that board marked the beginning of my surfing obsession kicking into high gear. Once I finally figured out how to get it into the waves, you couldn’t drag me away from the ocean. I was that grom constantly peeling out of school early, beelining it to the beach whether the surf was pumping or flat as a lake. Didn’t matter – I was just stoked to be out there.

Some of my most special early memories are from those sessions. Nobel or Gary from the shop would watch over me, hollering out tips and encouragement whenever I came shooting out of the whitewater. Their guidance and that early stoke they instilled in me – man, those are the moments that hooked me for life.

Ahaha very special memories for me !

My home break is the iconic Muizenberg in Cape Town and will always hold a special place. While I love surfing all kind of waves, my dream zone has to be the epic points and beachies along South Africa’s East Coast. Nowhere else combines world-class quality and variety like that stretch. J-Bay is the obvious jewel, but the underrated gems scattered up and down make it a true surfer’s paradise for me.

 I also skateboard and I’ve recently gotten into painting and drawing. I love music as well , I think it goes really well with surfing , skating and art . I have a longtime goal of learning to play some instruments.  I also have a keen interest for coffee.

Probably winning the Style Master award at the Cobbles Classic Single Fin surf event…that one felt special to me. I dedicate that award to late surfboard shaper George Bunting! For those of you who know me, you know how special George is to me and how he has played a huge role in the development of my personality and surf style.

I definitely agree that the commercialisation of surf brands has killed the soul a  little bit, but I do think there are a large number of surfers out there that keep that soul alive. I don’t know what to say about this topic because I feel like there are so many different opinions out there. But I would like to encourage people and the next generation of surfers to support local brands and surfboard shapers out there. I could rant on for hours about this topic but rather not here, I just think it’s very important to support local surf brands. There’s no better feeling than being able to have a personal connection with your surfboard and fin shaper. That personal feeling is priceless!