Matt Beachum - Interview
The day-to-day activities of a pro surfer have got to be surreal sometimes. And the fact that they’re getting paid to ride waves has got to give them a mile-wide grin. Following any dream is a magical and fulfilling role to play for anyone, and having their faces in surfing magazines and videos is a nice benefit as well. For Matt Beacham, the best part of being a professional surfer is seeing the world. And becoming a Christian has made sight-seeing take on extra depth.
[ Photo by D.J. Struntz ]
Doug: If you can, give me a brief, one-minute history of your surfing career. Feel free to brag and give highlights. I’ll re-word it so you’re not saying it. I’ll just list off, won this award or that award…
Matt: Do you want me to pray real quick? Dear God, we just give you this interview, we ask that the people who read it would be somehow ministered-to. We thank you for what these guys are doing with the magazine and all the people that are touched and just, goin’ into the underground, Lord. And we just give you praise and glory and and just give youth is moment
Doug: What is the history and some of the highlights of your surfing career?
Matt: My surfing career… Um, okay. The highlights of my surfing career are that I just get to like travel a lot. And I go on surf trips. I’m not necessarily, um, a contest surfer. I’m not expected to be, uh, by anyone. Mainly, uh, the niche that I’ve fallen into is to just go and, as long as I’m pushing to stay in contact with the magazines and videos and stuff, then, that’s kinda where I’m at right now. So, because of that, I get to see a lot of this world and have an opportunity to… God, over the years, has really helped me to kinda… If I’m gonna go on a trip, He really helps me to soak it in more now than when I was a kid. When I was a kid I was just so amped to be there and just surf, surf, surf, surf. Most recently, I’ve just been takin’ in the places, which is just maturing, but… And appreciating where you’re at. I’ve been taking in the places and seeing so much of God’s beauty. Kind of a long answer but…
Doug: Cool. How do you describe your style and what are some of the tricks you’re known for or the tricks you usually do when you’re out?
Matt: ah, I’m kind of a big guy and as far as surfing is concerned, I’m like six-two and, uh, usually just under 190 [pounds], which is kind of a big guy for surfing. Because of that, my style kind of lends itself to being, um, more on the powerful side, just ‘cause I have a lot more weight to throw around. The reverse side of that is that I have to really make a conscious effort to remain real light-footed, because surfing looks way more better, normally, if everything looks quick and light-footed and because I’m such a big guy it’s a real conscious effort for me to remain that way. So, basically, I try to keep it powerful, but it’s always a challenge for me to stay light-footed and quick and fast. That’s kind of my main goal, is just smoothing everything out with a lot of power and remain real light on my feet at the same time. There’s kind of an art to it. That takes a lot of practice to figure it out. I’m still figuring it out every time I surf.
Doug: What kind of board do you ride?
Matt: I ride a short board. My normal short board is a six-two and its eighteen and three-fourths inches wide and two and five sixteenths thick. And it’s a WRV, which is a Wave Riding Vehicles. It’s an East Coast-based board company.
Doug: What kinda fins?
Matt: I usually use, G-5's, which are [something technical about fins…] anything smaller than that will slide out on me and I don’t like that. And I’ve just found that they’re a pretty good all-around fin. I use them pretty exclusively.
Doug: (how many fins)?
Matt: nah, all my boards are thrusters so three fins: two on the sides, one in the middle. Every now and then you wanna experiment with an old school board,like, ya know, just a single fin but a weird ‘70s shape. And it’s good to go out on one of those every now and then just to break out of the box and draw some different lines on the waves.
Doug: are you based in Florida or where are you based out of?
Matt: I grew up in North Carolina on the outer banks and I did four years of college in Wilmington, North Carolina before I started my pro career. And it was still, uh, the opportunity was still there, to pursue it when I got outta college and that’s what I have been doing now for four years almost. It’s been three and a half years.
Doug: Cool. What are your favorite surf spots and why?
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Comments
My comment is for Matt. Hey man first I gotta say PRAISE THE LORD for he is worthy to be praised!!!!!! I moved to Long Beach Island NJwith a job doing Cable TV the summer of 1995 and met my neighbors who were surfers and they took me out and showed me the junk and I love it I surfed year round there and now I live in So Cal(Santee baby). I saw you surf in some vids and I dunno but I always felt I should pray for you. Because JESUS does love you man! Anyhow my neighbors we hung out watched North Shore all the time and waited for surf. I was way backslidden and I used to argue with my bro about evolution and I would say GOD is real and he would say how do you know and stuff. And even though I was not following GOD then I still felt compelled to tell him about JESUS and what he wants to do for everyone and that GODs desire is for all to be saved. Then one night we were debating as usuall and I guess GOD really let him feel his presence or somethin cause our discussions became different. The crazy thing was my bro said "dude if your so sure about JESUS and everything why are you drunk and smokin pot and tellin me I need to give my life to the LORD??? He was right GOD put him in my life not just so I could tell him about JESUS but through him I was able to see again GODS love for me and that I needed to act right and be a better example of a CHRISTIAN. WOW like WOW!! I can remember tellin mr bro about GOD and he (who reads the surf mags regular) would change the subject and start asking me what I thought of these surfers in the mags. Then we talked about which surfers were Christians and we ended up talking about you and he was tellin me about how good you were and stuff and I was tellin him dude the important thing is about knowing JESUS cause you never know when this life will end. I would pray regularly (still do) for my friends and all the surfers who needed to meet or needed more help from the lord. I moved to cali in 2002 and met some really cool people out here blessed with real christian friends stoked am I. But I saw the CHANGES &OUTSIDERS movie and man when you were talking about your accident on the bridge and how you felt that GOD saved you I was all teary eyed man cause I don't even know you but yet GOD put it on my heart to pray for you. Well the reason I commented on this article is because I was just Talking to my bro the Anthropological dude yesterday I have'nt talked to him in like a year and I found out he is reading his bible not really in to going to church but seeking a relationship with JESUS. Wow man like WOW!! He told me he is engaged now and they are expecting a baby in January. But we again were talking about you (Matt) and there was like this pause on the phone because I dunno like GOD 'S presence was there man I wanna tell you thanks for beleiving dude cause GOD is real. I know he loves you and gave you your ability to surf (smooth and powerful) and your doin it man I pray you will continue to let GOD"S love shine through you!!!!! I just happenned to show my roomate this cool website(HMmagazine) and i read this article and man I just started writing. I used to have a subscription to HM but I haven't read it in awhile. PRAISE the LORD HM is still putting out the word about JESUS. I wiil have to get a new subscription now. Thanks to HM and all the people responsible for getting this publication out and to Matt for his faith in GOD. Maybe someday I will get a chance to meet you. Surfs up!! Sincerely Stoked in Santee, CA Henry M. Forshey P.S> I hope you guys are cool with me writing this mini novel I tried to keep it short. GOD BLESS
I just want to know, if you truly live what you preach. From what I hear...you haven't. I just pray that you find time to read the word every day, and to not get caught up in the life of a pro surfer. Remember whats really important.
Hello Doug and the HM Mag staff. It's Matt Beacham. Over the holiday's I looked up your website and saw the interview we did. I noticed that there were a couple comments from a couple guys at the end, and since they were written directly to me, I figured I'd reply. First off, thanks for the interview, it's an honor. The first guy was Henry from CA. Thanks so much for that letter bro.... What a sweet story of how God used your talks with your buddy about Jesus to lift you both up! I really appreciate your stoke on the Lord and for your encouragements! Maybe we'll meet one day. There was another letter from and unknown brother that, well, kinda sized up my walk in just a few short sentences. I just wanted to respond and say that I understand why you did that. I've often wondered about some of the walks of certain bands that I love, knowing that certain lyricists know the Lord. Many times in the past I've said, "What in the world would lead that guy to write that lyric." and I get a little flustered and have made personal assumptions about how their walk with the Lord might be. Then I try to realize that God has a plan that I probably don't see. So when you commented on something you had heard of me, I just lifted it up to God.... which was cool, because it actually sparked a good little prayer session, reminding me of the severity of representing our Lord in the limelight. Anyway unknown bro, my past is full of failures, selfishness, and sin. Without Jesus, I'm a sunk ship. But you inquired about my walk, so I'm humbly sharing with you that the Lord is alive in me, there is a burning desire for righteousness, and I stust God with my life. Thanks again HM for calling me, I've enjoyed your reviews and mission for years now. Your ministry is remarkable.... bless you.... matt b
Hi there, I red a article on a surfer with Matt Beacham . I am looking for a way to get in touch with him to ask him if he would like to share his testimony on our website. please advise me if you would know his email or if you could forward this email to him.
Thank you!
Paul Hardy
www.eternalriders.com
Hey what's up. Praise God. I would like to thank Jesus for all the cool things going on with the interview you guys did with Matt B. The cool thing is that I know this guy. I grew up on the Outer Banks (Same place as Matt) and have always looked up to him and the other guys like Jesse Hines, Noah Snyder, Brant Doyle, Brent McCoy, Nic McClean, and Matt's older brother Brad who have been in inspiration in my life to follow Christ in all things, even with surfing. I do have a point to this as well, and it's a comment for Matt. Man, I would just like to thank you and your friends for being an inspiration on us younger guys. From just always being open at church to Brad having us over for your bible studies, it was all great. I am attending UNC at Wilmington now too and have used many of the things you guys taught me to witness to guys that i live with and go to school with. I have to wrap this up though, gotta go to class, but man thanks for everything and pass that on to all the boys. You guys are doing and have done an excellent job of witnessing at home and abroad. Keep me in your prayers as I keep the Lord in my life and fight the wilmington traffic! Later man. and God Bless HM. Brian Wickens
matty, that was a great interview. i am amazed to see how god continues to use mold and shape your life. bro, you are truly a vessel. you are always in my prayers.
good work hm guys, i have been reading your mag for years. thanks.....t mcneely
matty, that was a great interview. i am amazed to see how god continues to use mold and shape your life. bro, you are truly a vessel. you are always in my prayers.
good work hm guys, i have been reading your mag for years. thanks.....t mcneely
Hey I just wanted to say that what God is doing in the surf community is awesome. And I just recently got back from the outer banks and was at a surf camp with noah snyder and jesse hines and was disappointed that matt wasnt there because i have formed relationships with noah and jesse and wanted the same with matt i was wondering if he could maube e mail me sometime so i could tlak about both of our testimonies thanks my e mail is volcommboy90@aol.com
emkshticijf ogotvkomye.
How old is Jesse Hines?????
