Growing up on the East Side of Oahu, Kohl Christensen is not your typical professional surfer. A contractor by trade but a big-wave surfer by heart, the majority of his days are spent either installing solar panels or working on his organic farm where he grows everything from tangerines to avocados. Oh, and he occasionally breaks up the monotony by paddling into some of the biggest waves on the planet.
Kohl Christensen is 33; he’s been a professional surfer since he was 31, which is unusual in surfing today. Traditionally, young surfers dreaming about going pro would do something more like this: start surfing at age 5, and for 20 more years continue a regimented routine of surf, compete, travel, until they qualify for the WCT (World Championship Tour). Sure, Kohl Christensen grew up wanting to become a professional, but he learned early on how difficult it was to achieve that status. After seeing his so called “glory years” come and go, Kohl continued surfing, yet at the same time worked in the family business of construction. Surfing in his spare time soon led to seeking big waves. Kohl now follows his passion to the corners of the world seeking big waves.
Big wave surfers seems to be a breed of their own and Christensen agrees, “Definitely. I’d say we’re all a little crazy in our own way.” Kohl is nominated for the “Monster Tube” award at the 2012 Billabong Global Big Wave Awards.
Sponsors: Patagonia, SolarWorld
Bio courtesy of: Prolific Magazine
