The SURFER Interview: TOM CURREN

SURFER: A lot of the guys on tour today have handlers taking care of most of their incidentals and itineraries, watching over them to keep them out of trouble, which is something your generation couldn't afford. Did you pay a price?

TOM CURREN: Yeah, you're so isolated when you're out there, especially as a young kid being sent out into the world for the first time. I did things I wasn't supposed to. I knew I had the support at home but there were times when I basically neglected the communication lines. I didn't keep them open, and that was a mistake because I did end up making mistakes. But even though I didn't have somebody in charge of my schedule or whatever, I did have very good friends who helped me on an unofficial level. One of the reasons I did so well was because I had good advice and good friends that weren't just going along with everything I wanted to do. They'd tell me when something wasn't cool.

SURFER: Guys like you and Tom Carroll and Occy are in many ways playing more of a patriarchal role these days. Is that something you're comfortable with?

TOM CURREN: I think so, but I'd like to be more involved with some type of coaching role. That's pretty interesting for me right now.

SURFER: You must get a bit of that with your kids.

TOM CURREN: Yeah, I can tell my little guys have got that instinct with the ocean already. My older kids in France are taking to surfing with a lot of gusto, and my younger kids skate, surf, they do their art work and play their music and their studies. I'm just trying to give them an opportunity to do anything. I even turn them loose on the electric guitar and drums.

SURFER: Man, your poor neighbors...

TOM CURREN: Oh yeah, we're probably the worst neighbors you could ever have because no matter what's going on it's going to be loud.

SURFER: What have your kids taught you?

TOM CURREN: That we all need structure and discipline, and everyone has their own unique personality. But kids are also very smart. They see everything. They're watching your every move even if you don't think so...that's pretty heavy.

SURFER: So when you look back at your career and the mission surfing has taken you on, what is it that you've accomplished that you're most proud of?

TOM CURREN: This'll sound strange, but one of the things that I'm really proud of is my Dad being the guy he is. When I was little he made my boards and my wetsuits. He was buying the rubber, cutting the patterns. And there were a few days where we went out in some real overhead surf, and he was never drilling me like, "Do this. Do that." He was just there, I wasn't even aware of the fact that he had one eye on me. But I think my upbringing was pretty unique.

SURFER: Your father was directly responsible?

TOM CURREN: Yeah, and now my brother Joe is one of the best surfers that I see. I think he's extremely underrated--a solid surfer and a solid guy. I think that too comes back to my dad, and it's something you can't beat. So that's something I'm proud of. Another thing I'm proud of is the work Al and I did together when he came into the picture. We made some great boards that were really pivotal for me early on.

SURFER: Are you referring to your first thrusters?