Tim Hain - ASC Tour & ISC Tour
When did you start surfing and when did you get your first surfboard?
I started surfing in my first year of college, that was back in 1984-85 in Northern California, about an hour north of San Francisco. It was tough going in blown out freezing cold shark infested water, so learning was a long process, but somehow I just couldn’t stop once I tried it…I think it took about 100 sessions before I could stand up for more than about 2 seconds. My first board was an old 7’2 wing tail single fin that a friend gave me…maybe that’s what made it so hard to learn…the first real board I bought was a 6’4” Loco thruster I bought in Santa Cruz.
What do you love about surfing?
The thing I like most is the freedom that surfing gives me…. the feeling of paddling out in a glassy lineup with a couple of friends, just being free of every form of responsibility, disconnected from the everyday bullshit, catching a few waves, the adrenaline and excitement is the best reward. That first duckdive of the session, coming up with everything washed away behind you, a new fresh start. Nothing else in the world like it…its like an orgasm actually, only without any of the bullshit that may come along with it, hahaha.
What is your most memorable wave?
I still remember my very first actual long ride…it was about 50meters or so I guess…and the feel of just gliding along that small glassy face for what seemed like forever. It was like all that hard work trying to learn in shitty cold waves finally paid off. It happened in in Mexico, just south of Ensenada, a small lefthander in a cove with a beached boat nearby. I had gotten a new board, a 7 foot Russell as that 6’4” Loco was pretty hard to learn on, and it was my first trip with it in semi-warm water. I can still visualize riding that wave, I couldn’t believe the feeling and how everything else was gone except for me looking down that clear glassy wave and gliding along it so smoothly. Another thing that made it so memorable is that when I got home I spent the next 5 days shitting my guts with the worst gut pain ever!
Who or what inspires you?
People who are happy with very little, that make the best of what they have, and also people who have a lot but live simply and treat everyone with equal respect regardless of popularity, social position, wealth etc. Basically, people who help others first…and by others that includes our friends in the animal kingdom.
Of all the places you have travelled to, what place in particular stands out?
Its really a toss up between the Mentawais and the Philippines. So many pure and untouched beaches and waves…clean clear water, palm trees, white sand…the stuff of dreams just waiting to be explored.
What sort of education have you had?
I took psychology in college, with some PR classes, and got my Bachelor of Science degree. After college I took Marketing and Business classes, but I think I got my real education working for a technical publishing company in San Diego for 10 years…learning a lot working my way up from an publication editor to eventually a Director of Product Management position in the electronic media division.
What was your very first job?
Other than pulling weeds in the garden for my dad? I guess it was working after school at a local bodyshop (panel beater
Paul Anderson) at Billabong, Jeff Anderson at Rip Curl, Kane Faint (ex Rusty
Surfer Girl
Kuta Lines
judging, beach marshalls, ISC, Coca-Cola, etc
panel beater
Paul Anderson) at Billabong, Jeff Anderson at Rip Curl, Kane Faint (ex Rusty
Surfer Girl
Kuta Lines
judging, beach marshalls, ISC, Coca-Cola, etc
21,2,Ben Weiland - Arctic Surf'