This time around we’re catching up with surfer, climber, photographer, author, filmmaker and epic human Jeff Johnson. A California native like us, Johnson moved to Hawaii when he turned 18 and never looked back, traveling extensively and ultimately becoming Patagonia’s first staff photographer. More recently, Jeff has transitioned to being a free-lance creative agent supporting brands he loves. You can follow his climbing and surfing adventures on the pages of mags like The Surfer’s Journal and Outside, and watch him make the pilgrimage to Patagonia itself in the 2011 film 180˚ South.

1. Would you rather be able to have night vision or to paddle as fast as a jet ski?

Night vision for sure. Think all the empty waves you can score.

2.  If you could only listen to one album for the rest of your days, which one would it be? 

That is so tough. Why do you have to ask me this? Um…The band Ween, the Chocolate and Cheese album.   

3.   Is there a day in your life that you’d like to live over again?

Surfing transition day at Tavarua resort. I was a boatman there for a stint and I got to surf all day on a Saturday while one group is leaving and the other is arriving. I surfed The Right uncrowded all morning then Restaurants all afternoon/evening. One of the best surf days of my life.

 

 

4.  Your perfect pizza?

Blondies Pizza in Berkeley, California. Not sure if it’s still there but it was the best ever.

5.  Who do you trust the most?

My daughter. She can’t really talk yet but she is always right.

6.  What’s in your car trunk right now?

I have a van. Right now there is a box of wetsuits, a box of climbing gear, and an 8’0” Ryan Lovelace Thick Lizzy

 

 

8.  Last product you recommended?

The Patagonia Houdini shell. Perfect for everything, plus mosquitoes can’t get through it.

9. SurfNyl or SurfStretch?

Definitely the SurfNyl. I’ve never been out in the water and thought, man, I wish my shorts were stretchy.  

10.  Best memory in Birdwells?

The first Birdwells I ever had were issued to me from the City and County of Honolulu lifeguard department in 1993. I’ll never forget my first day at work, knee paddling the rescue board out of Pokai Bay wearing my super short, orange Birdwells. And If I remember correctly, they were used, or faded from sitting in a box for so long at the lifeguard headquarters. I was so stoked.