When Jack Akrop paddles out at Mavericks or charges massive waves at Jaws, he's drawing on lessons learned from a lifetime spent in and around Santa Cruz waters. But his path to becoming a respected big wave surfer wasn't the typical grom-to-pro pipeline story we often celebrate.

As Jack reveals in this vulnerable conversation, he started as "a boogie boarder at the bottom of the totem pole" who was actually terrified of the ocean. His journey weaves through baseball fields at Bellarmine High School, soccer pitches, lacrosse fields, and eventually back to the water where he found his true purpose. Along the way, a pivotal art teacher helped him recognize that his passion for surfing and snowboarding wasn't just recreation – it was a legitimate form of contemporary art and personal expression.

The discussion takes unexpected turns as Jack opens up about his struggles with depression, ADHD diagnosis, and finding healing through giving back to others. His recent big wave expeditions to Portugal, Ireland, Hawaii, and Mavericks – including some spectacular wipeouts that gained significant media attention – taught him valuable lessons about preparation, intentionality, and accepting failure as part of growth.

What emerges most powerfully from this conversation is Jack's commitment to sharing ocean knowledge through his business, Central Coast Waterman. In an era where increased beach access has created new safety challenges, his mission to educate both kids and adults about proper ocean safety and surfing etiquette serves a vital community need.

Whether you're a surfer, a parent considering water sports for your child, or simply someone interested in how finding purpose can transform mental health, Jack's story offers inspiration and practical wisdom about the healing power of the ocean and the fulfillment that comes from helping others experience it safely.