Jason Falconridge ON THE JOB
PROFILING THE HARD WORKING MEN AND WOMEN OF THE SURF INDUSTRY TO UNCOVER THE LIFESTYLE OF THEIR JOBS.
AGE: 43
JOB DESCRIPTION: General Manager O’Neill, New Zealand
WHERE DID YOU GROW UP? Grew up on the North Shore of Auckland, Murrays Bay. Definitely a great area to be brought up. Where we lived was a short stroll to the water’s edge. Learnt to surf in the storm surf that frequents - that’s where the passion began. Anything to do with the water we did whether that be again surfing, jumping off the wharf, snorkeling for sinkers, fishing etc……good times. HOW DID YOU GET INTO SURFING AND WHERE
DID YOU SURF THE MOST? Back then around the area there was a strong contingent of surfers that we looked up to. The Glovers, Falconers, Bedford’s, my brother and many more, there were actually quite a few of the top NZ surfers at the time living very close by. That’s how I basically started, I wanted to be like them. I learnt to grovel in between Murrays Bay and Rothsay Bay straight out in front of home, a secret spot called ‘The Cove’ and this is where I caught my first green wave – insane! Never looked back. Murrays Bay point was my favourite wave, had some classics out there……she was pretty heavy, nasty oysters as well. Following that, progression to the West Coast and all the usual up north spots. IF YOU WERE TO CHOOSE ONE ROAD TRIP EVER WHAT WAS YOUR BEST OF ALL TIME? One that always comes to mind was a trip we did up to Henderson Bay, way, way back with a few good mates. Parked up down the beach, four foot barrels for two consecutive days in board shorts. Not a drop out of place and no one around just mates... that’s what it’s all about. BACK IN THE DAY AS ONE OF THE FOUNDING MEMBERS OF THE INFAMOUS ‘BARFLY’ BOARDRIDERS, YOU ALONG WITH YOUR CLOSE MATES BECAME LEGENDARY FOR YOUR PARTY ANTICS. HOW FUN WERE THOSE TIMES? Yes there were some classic times had for sure - she was basically just a bunch of mates at first, then word got out and everyone wanted to be part of it. In hindsight this was the demise as the founding committee couldn’t really cope with the growth and dealing with embezzlement on a large scale. The beer and sausage proceeds just use to vanish into thin air. Definitely good times and thinking back we
had one of the strongest surf teams around at the time… great rivalry between the ‘Alternate tentacles’ and ‘Keyhole’ and with key national clubs we used to compete against. RIP to some of the crew who are no longer with us... always remembered. Had some great boat cruises as well… THE HARSH REALITY OF LIFE IS AS WE ALL GROW OLDER THERE COMES A TIME WHEN YOU HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THE FUTURE, REIGN IN THE ANTICS, GET A JOB AND KNUCKLE DOWN TO SURVIVE. WHEN DID THIS TIME COME FOR YOU AND HOW DID YOUR CAREER
BEGIN TO PROCEED? I have always worked from the day I left school. How could you travel without sufficient funds? Basically work travel, work travel, this took me to many surf destinations around the world, obviously to fill my addiction. Lived in Australia for some time running my own landscaping business, then returned back home around the age of 23. This is when the decision to forge a career path heightened to become involved within the surf industry. Having been involved in my younger days, being a sponsored surfer, I had already had personalized immediate contacts, this made it easier to land a sales rep job pretty much immediately after my return. O’Neill offered me a job repping and basically I have never looked back. To be part of such a great company follows my passion completely. Soon I will be coming up to 20 years service - now that’s dedication to be where I am today. A lot of hard work, good results, longevity, relationships, have forged this directional path.
WHAT DOES YOUR JOB INVOLVE THESE DAYS? Being in a General Managerial role this includes many facets of running a successful business. Sound management, planning, budgeting, marketing, staffing, the list goes on... My job description actually entails a lot more than just General Manager… It’s certainly a great pleasure to manage such an iconic and innovative brand, with the people I have working for me within the immediate business. IS THERE STILL TIME OR THE FLEXIBILITY TO SNEAK OFF DURING BUSINESS HOURS
FOR A SURF? With all working jobs there are always deadlines, clients to see, people to meet and beaches to visit, say no more! We are a surf company, got to keep that real… you’ve
probably heard of product testing, building client relationships, marketing opportunities, etc etc etc. DOES YOUR JOB INVOLVE ANY TRAVEL, DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL? IF SO DOES THE BOARD FIND ITS WAY INTO YOUR LUGGAGE AND IS THERE TIME TO PUT IT TO USE? National travel seeing clients throughout the year, teaming up with my sales reps when selling. Over the years a lot of international travel to the U.S. and Australia numerous times. My surfboard goes everywhere with me, it is part and parcel of what I do. Sometimes you get waves, sometimes you don’t. I had a good product testing business trip to the Mentawais a few years back. THE BEST SURF YOU HAVE SCORED WHILE BEING ON THE JOB? When I was selling around the North Island I had some unbelievable surfs, time and place obviously dictated by work placed deadlines. We don’t really know how lucky we are and what’s on offer if you know where to go. I had a classic last year after a wetsuit showing with a key client. They had a jet ski, say no more! Four to five foot left hand barrels, no one around, this always puts a smile on your face. WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR OUR TOP SURFERS OUT THERE, SITTING AT THE BEACH RIGHT NOW, STRUGGLING TO MAKE ENDS MEET BUT SIMPLY HAVING THE TIME OF THEIR LIVES BY LIVING FROM DAY TO DAY ON THE STOKE
OF WAVES? Always keep in perspective future aspirations as this is basically IT for who you are, and how or if you want to succeed. Within our immediate surf community at a top level we have some outstanding surfers worthy to take it on, if only they are backed sufficiently and have the right attitude. You basically need solid international results to get good backing from parent companies before you can even think of making a decent living. Without this you are just another number slogging it out but obviously having fun. Good to have a backup plan. IF YOUR BOSS RANG YOU AND SAID “TAKE TWO WEEKS OFF AND GO ANYWHERE YOU LIKE ON US” WHERE WOULD YOU GO AND WHO WOULD YOU TAKE? I would have to say my family - Jayde, Slade and wife, otherwise I could get shot!