ON THE JOB KEONE CAMPBELL

Profiling the hard working men and women of the surf industry to uncover the lifestyle of the job. Nickname: K1, K Dog Age: 23 Job description: Billabong Team manager, Event coordinator and Marketing. How many years have you worked in the surf industry and who for? 1 1/2 Years How did you land such a job? Since I was 15 I have surfed for Billabong. I was helping out at the surf and snow events for a couple years. One day AJ Mathews (who had this job at the time) and I were driving to an event when he let me know he was leaving to chase the tail overseas. I showed interest in the job and next thing Ellie (my partner) and I were driving to Auckland to live. You were a sponsored surfer and now you get to sit on the other side of the fence, dealing with sponsored surfers, how has that change been? More than anything I think it has made me realise how lucky I was growing up getting free product and going on trips. It’s all happy days when you’re going away but to see how much work goes into a trip has made me appreciate it more. All the crew I deal with are pretty good so that definitely helps. Growing up in Taranaki the local economy is bursting with opportunities to work in the oil/ gas sector earning big bucks and also getting to remain surfing the quality waves of the Taranaki Coastline, why did you follow the path into the surf industry which meant being located in the big smoke of Auckland? I guess I didn’t really chase the surf industry, it kind of just happened. I was a stone mason for three years after school, then moved to Mt Maunganui and worked in a bar. Living in Auckland has its up’s and down’s, there is always shit going on and surf to be had if you are willing to chase it. Every now and then I miss the crew down there and especially the point’s. But hey take the good with the bad. Do you get to travel out of town with your job and does that allow for any surf time? Obviously when I am off for events like the Grom Series etc.. there is time to snag a couple waves. The boss is good and lets me chase the good days. Other than that I always try gather the team to chase a swell when I can Best surf you’ve scored on the job? They’re are all good when its during work hours, but most likely the Island. Driving down at 4AM with the ski and surfing with the crew is always good. In saying that the best is yet to come! If your boss rang you and said “take two weeks off and go anywhere you like on us” where would that be and who would you take? I would head inland somewhere. Go to Europe with Ellie for a couple weeks if work is paying, be silly to go somewhere cheap. I can do team trips to surf destinations so it would be good to go somewhere without sticks for a change. Surfing is lucky to have an Industry that supports its athletes. Most players in the surf industry put something back into the sport, which not many businesses involved with other sports seem to be doing. Billabong has been more supportive than any other brand domestically in our sport sup- porting local surfers and events and is involved in the community. How do you see this? Any other company and I wouldn’t have a job to be honest. Billabong’s involvement in NZ has been leading the way for many years. Through the tough economic times at the moment it’s harder than ever to make it happen but don’t get me wrong we are bending over backwards here to make sure it does. Getting photo’s and clips growing up was the my favourite things so making sure my team get opportunities like I did is key. Working in the surf industry has always been looked at as a lifestyle job, does this thought still fit or has the big money been filling your pocket? I’m not in it to get rich let’s just say that. As long as I get to go away and chase good waves when other people are working 9-5 I will consider it a lifestyle job. If I am locked away 9-5 weeks on end then it might be different. If Hugh Hephner called you and offered you one of his lifestyle jobs... Would you think twice or is surfing more important than perfect women? I dunno if it’s what Hugh makes it out to be. Hanging with those spuds would take it’s toll and be hard work, Hugh can have it. I’ve got a good girl and balancing everything with surfing is the key. If I wasn’t surfing often life would be pretty different I think... Future thoughts of your involvement in surfing? I’m amped to keep building the brands I work with here in NZ and inspire the youth. Going on trips and surfing good waves with all the fella’s will always be my favourite part.