Kurt Jacobs - Athlete Manager

When did you get your first surfboard?
I don't surf I play ping pong! nah seriously though, I got my first brand new board for my 12th birthday. It was a Neal Purchase shaped San Juan. Dad brought it back from his trip up the coast. I was one pretty stoked fella.

What do you love about surfing?
I love absolutely everything about surfing i love the smell of new wax, trying new equipment, I love how is keeps me fit, and more recently I love sharing a surf with my daughter and baby mumma, I love that it can lift my mood and over all balance out my day.

What was your most memorable wave?
There aren't so many memorable waves for me as there are many sessions, one that sticks out more clearly than others was a 6-8 foot East swell at North Steyne ( Manly). I don't know where everyone was, but it was so uncrowded for Manly, so much so that only Vic Levett and I were out there, getting wave after wave from mid to North Steyne almost through to the North Steyne Surf Club. I still feel like that was the best session I have ever had.

What’s your favourite surf spot?
Have to say I have had the most fun at North Steyne, nothing to exotic about my answer, but honestly its where i grew up and had the waves of my life.

What meaning does surfing hold for you and how has it changed your life?
Surfing has been a massive part of my life, in 28 years of surfing I have only had a few times away from the water due to injury, anything that is that present in your life obviously means a lot. Surfing has evolved for me, from being a grommet to chasing it as a professional, to now supporting it as a surfing manager.

What sort of education have you had?
I had a pretty normal education, went to a couple of different schools caused some trouble and got part way through a degree in teaching that could have taken my life in a different direction, but didn't.

What was your very first job?
Chemist delivery boy

What is your current job and what does it entail?
I am am currently an athlete manager of action sports at Consolidated Sports. I convince surfers that I'm really great at knowing about surfing and they should trust me with negotiating their contracts and career pathways. No but really aside from negotiating contracts, I help them with their media and do whatever i can to help position them in the best space to fulfil their passion of surfing.

How did you get into the position you are today?
I was offered a position at Quiksilver in sales, which progressed to the role of team manager for the Quiksilver and Roxy brands which lasted for around 9 years, whatever year it was i was offered a role in Athlete Management which I took as a natural progression in my career.

What do you like most about your job?
Board meetings…

Where can we find you online? 

Posted by: Troy Roennfeldt, on November 4, 2013
Categories: Interviews

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