About Pike

I started surfing in 1999, shortly after moving to California from Virginia following my parents’ divorce. Growing up on a ski resort, I spent my days skiing, hunting, and fishing in the wilderness. But when I moved to Santa Barbara, I was searching for a new passion. That passion hit when I caught my first wave at Campus Point. From that moment, I was hooked—surfing became my new obsession, just like skiing back in Virginia.

My dedication to surfing only grew from there. I attended a private school in Santa Barbara with a surf program, where I surfed every other day with the headmaster, exploring local spots like Sandspit and the Mesa. At 14, I made a deal with myself—and God—that I’d chase my dream of becoming a professional surfer. Within an hour, a local real estate agent called, offering my family a home at Rincon Point. I spent my high school years surfing daily, learning from the powerful waves at Rincon during back-to-back El Niño winters.

After high school, I traveled between Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, and Portland, always pushing myself to improve on both longboards and shortboards. I began teaching surf lessons early in my career, working with people of all abilities, including those with autism, disabilities, or a fear of the ocean. Surf instruction became my art form, and with over 50 five-star Yelp reviews, I’m proud to say that I bring professionalism and passion to every lesson.

Now, I’m a member of the Hope Ranch Surf Team, and I continue to compete in longboard contests like the 2023 Steamer Lane competition, where I won first place in my division. I aim to keep teaching as long as I can, sharing the joy of surfing with students of all ages and abilities.