Surfing: A Sport of Passion, Controversy, and Unspoken Rules. But here’s where it gets controversial—what happens when the self-appointed guardians of the waves, the so-called 'Core Lords,' dictate who belongs and who doesn’t? On the eve of Valentine’s Day, we decided to dive into the heart of this debate by sitting down with John West, a Huntington Beach native and the embodiment of a modern surf icon. And this is the part most people miss—West, better known as That Surf Guy (https://www.instagram.com/thatsurfguy_/?hl=en), isn’t just another angry local or surf influencer. He’s a surfpreneur who’s redefining what it means to live and breathe the surfing lifestyle.
West’s journey is as unique as his satirical Instagram content, which pokes fun at surf culture while subtly critiquing its elitism. He’s the guy who effortlessly straddles the line between the hardcore local and the approachable everyman shredder. But don’t let his laid-back persona fool you—West is on a mission to democratize the surfing experience. After a knee injury sidelined him, he identified a glaring gap in the industry: everyday surfers, who make up 99% of the community, were being overlooked in favor of the pros. Bold claim? Maybe. But it’s one that sparked his brainchild, CityPro (https://www.instagram.com/citypro.app/?hl=en), a mobile app connecting surfers with videographers and photographers along the California coast.
Think about it: we document every milestone in our lives—birthdays, weddings, vacations—yet surfers rarely get to see themselves in action. West’s app changes that. ‘Surfers don’t have the same accessibility to capture their moments,’ he explains. ‘CityPro bridges that gap, letting you relive your best waves and even improve your technique.’ But here’s the controversial part—is the surfing world ready to embrace technology as a tool for progress, or will purists see it as a threat to the sport’s raw, unfiltered essence?
West’s story isn’t just about innovation; it’s a testament to authenticity. After ditching a career in real estate and shelving a surf-lesson business idea, he found his true calling by addressing a real need in the community. ‘Progress in surfing can be slow and hard to measure without visual feedback,’ he notes. ‘With CityPro, surfers of all levels can see their mistakes and celebrate their wins.’
So, is John West a Core Lord? Not exactly. He’s more of a catalyst for change, challenging the status quo while staying true to the spirit of surfing. But we want to hear from you—is technology like CityPro a welcome addition to the sport, or does it risk commercializing something sacred? Let us know in the comments.
To explore more of John West’s world, check out That Surf Guy (https://www.instagram.com/thatsurfguy_/?hl=en) and join the conversation. And if you’re passionate about sharing your voice, consider contributing to our community (https://www.theinertia.com/contribute). Only the best, we promise.
