Surfers aren’t exactly known for their strong political views. However, recently, former professional big-wave surfer Fergal Smith announced his candidacy in the Irish general election, and Kelly Slater talked openly about his views on politics and the aftermath of 9/11.
It seems they are not alone. We take a look at seven surfers who have made (or are making) their mark in politics.
Fergal Smith
Last month, former professional big-wave surfer Fergal Smith announced he was entering into politics as a candidate in this year’s Irish general election.
“I am running for the Green Party for my daughter and all Irish children,” said Smith. “I could no longer sit and watch decisions made without due care for our children’s future.”
Three years ago, Smith turned his back on a lucrative and high-profile career as a big-wave surfer to become a community-organic farmer. Now, it seems, he has his sights on the bigger picture.
Kelly Slater
Talking to We Are Change, he didn’t hold back when speaking about topics like 9/11 and the wars that followed, Monsanto, the threat of ISIS and his political heroes.
And while he expressed frustration with the system, if he did decide to enter politics, his million-plus followers on social media would surely vote for him. After all, he sure surfs Pipe better than Donald Trump.
Dustin Barca
However, this was Barca’s first bid for political office after rising to prominence as anti-GMO campaigner, and at 34 years of age, time is on his side.
“When I returned home from a traveling surf career, I started becoming aware of the issues our island is facing and how they are compromising the health of our community and land,” he says on his Barca4Mayor website. “It’s time to move in a different direction, we can’t let things continue as they are.”
Tulsi Gabbard
Gabbard is also a decorated captain in the National Guard who served in Iraq and Kuwait. Surfing, however, is her first love.
“As soon as I get home back to Hawaii, my number one priority is to go for a surf,” she told Yahoo News. “I like to wash the airplane off me, get my feet in the sand and get grounded.”
Tony Abbott
Abbott grew up on the northern beaches of Sydney and was heavily involved in surf lifesaving, as well as being a frequent surfer. Last year, he was filmed surfing huge conditions for a dementia fundraiser and managed to catch a few waves.
Having been ousted as Prime Minister last November, Abbott now has plenty of time for surfing.
Fred Hemmings
In 1990, Hemmings won the Republican candidacy for the governor’s race but lost the general election. In 2000, he was elected to the state Senate and served as Senate Minority Leader from 2002 until 2010, when he retired from politics.
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