Photo Grant Ellis
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JARED MELL
Every Kinda Boards
Want to meet a cool guy, curious about everything, with a great level of surfing on all boards and above all with a hell of a style?
That guy is Jared Mell.
He's a little bit more...
A lot of surf film makers have noticed this.
Over the past 15 years, his surfing has been featured in a bunch of movies, some of which have become classics.
Nathan Oldfield, Thomas Campbell, Jack Coleman, Mikey DeTemple, Steve Cleveland, Nathan Myers, Tin Ojeda, Ryan Lovelace... all of them have featured him alongside the best surfers in the world.
Originally from Newport, California, he progressed and began to make a name for himself by going to the water every day at Blackies.
At that time, one of his best friends is a certain Alex Knost...
Just like his golden-haired friend, Jared Mell quickly established himself as a master of style.
Laidback, cruising, soul arch... a dancing surf, sometimes totally unpredictable.
An artistic approach, relaxed, fun, fun to watch.
One of his favorite pastimes is to observe the style of the surfers he meets during his travels, it is even a passion.
Competition is not his lifetime, but sometimes he rides on alternative contests of big boards that he has often won.
His real speciality is that he surfs everything and very well: Longboard, Log, Single, Twin, Retro Thrusters and Shortboard.
In 2021, Jared Mell is 33 years old and surfs almost every day in Bali.
He moved with his family to the island of the gods a few years ago to live a more peaceful life and surf the best waves in the world.
Enjoy reading this new Focus
Have fun!
- Hi Jared,
where do you come from and how was your first wave ?
"I grew up in Newport Beach, California.
I do remember that wave.
My mom was with a surf instructor and he pushed into my first wave.
Unfortunately I fell and hit my head on a rock under water.
This incident caused me to stayed away from surfing until around the age of 13."
Photo Grant Ellis
Being a surfer
is not something you do.
Photo Crape Eyewear
- What is your surf culture and who inspires you ?
"Surf Culture was always a free spirited, off beat and rebellious.
Surfing is a magnet of which you planned your entire life around.
Being a surfer is not something you do.
It is something you become.
My inspirations in surfing start from the beginning of surfing.
From The Duke, Tom Blake and through all the generations.
Greg Noll, Mikey Dora, Skype Frye, Donald Takayama, Pat Curren, George Downing, Buffalo Keaulana and that is just the beginning of a long list.
Every generation of surfing has inspired me.
It is what keeps surfing unique, punk, fun, captivating, timeless and everlasting."
My inspirations in life are like surfing.
In every culture, through every generation and throughout the history of time, there have been people who have made the world stop.
To think and question their very existence.
When you can do that, you can teach great lessons to people.
And help to become the best versions of themselves and spread that message to others.
While showing people to respect one another with love, peace and unity.
Well that sounds inspiring to me."
Photo Grant Ellis
- Where does your friendship with Alex Knost come from?
"Alex is like a big brother to me.
We met on the High School.
We were on the same surf team at the school.
We have stayed friends ever since."
- What are your 3 favorite surf movies?
"You want me to list only 3 ?
THE FORGOTTEN ISLAND OF SANTOSHA
by Larry Yates released in 1974,
SPROUT
by Thomas Campbell released in 2004 and
The RUNMAN SERIES
by Morgan Runyon and Ray Kleinman".
- What are your best songs for pre and post surf ?
"Pre-surf:
THE MATTSON 2 "Naima's dream",
SONGS:OHIA "Farewell transmission",
ORION SUN, MULCH "Mango",
WASHED OUT "Feel it all around",
ROVERT PALMER "Every kinda people".
And post surf:
FLEETWOOD MAC "Never forget",
CLAUDE DEBUSSY "Claire de lune",
SADGIRL "Little queenie",
MAD SEASON "Wake up" and
PAUL MCCARTNEY "Young boy (home recording)."
Surfing is a magnet of which
you planned your entire life around.
Photo Grant Ellis
- How did you get into this surf and rock n' roll life ?
"There is that saying "you become what you see."
That was just how I grew up."
- How is your life in Bali ?
"My life in Bali is a dream come true.
There are some many spots and lot of friends here.
Come check it out some time."
- What do you think of the surf scene today ?
"I think the surf scene today is great !
There is tons of inspiration everywhere you look.
From every country and culture that has surfing, to every type of surfing.
Surfers are happy doing what they love.
That is one of the reasons I love surfing."
Photo RD Pics
Photo Lippman
- What are your actions for the planet ?
"Spreading happiness and knowledge of taking care of the world, through surfing."
Photo Grant Ellis
- Do you feature in any upcoming films ?
"I am featured in some short video clips that are on the Banks Journal website.
Also in Thomas Campbell's Yi-Wo.
I spoke to Thomas last week, he said " He was working on the film at the moment.
He said that it is like nothing he has made before and that he still had a lot of work to do."
Thank you Jared.
Published on Sunday, May 9, 2021