Hey Dibi: How Do You Balance an Aspiring Surf Career and Financial Independence?

Editor’s Note: Have a question for Dibi Fletcher? She’s definitely got answers. Or at least a perspective. Don’t hold back, shoot her a DM on Instagram and ask away. Here’s this week’s dispatch from the Matriarch of Radical…

Hey Dibi…. My husband and I are worried about our 22 year old son who moved out of state to a tiny little town for a great paying job as a lineman. We thought he had dodged a bullet getting out of the local environment where so many of his friends are still on the “I’m a surfer” road to mediocrity. The last few months he calls less and less and we’re afraid that he’s spending too much time in the local bar trying to fit in. Any suggestions? - Worried Mom
Hey Worried Mom… I’m sure it must be difficult moving out of state by yourself, even for a good paying job and trying to build a satisfying personal life after a tough day at work. Dropping by a bar filled with people probably feels preferable to going home to an empty house. It will take some effort on his part, but he seems to be self-motivated, maybe finding a local martial arts facility would be a place to start. He could get to know other like-minded individuals in the area while pursuing a healthy physical and mental goal-based activity. It is much easier to find what he’s looking for in life clear headed and make this adventure he’s on a success. My best to you all…

Hey Dibi… Everywhere we go my husband brags about our son being a sponsored longboarder, whatever that means. He’s 25, lives at home with us and doesn’t contribute financially, which to be honest he couldn’t as the sponsorship as far as I can tell is a few surfboards and some travel money. I can’t seem to get them to hear me when I talk about the future. Is there something specific I can say that might make them see this may seem OK now, but where will we all be in 5 or 10 years? - Where’s the Future
Hey Where’s the Future…. I often talk about trade schools in my answer’s and just recently I noticed Home Depot offers free on demand training in “The Skills Program” for the next generation of trades and construction professionals. Talk to your husband first and tell him that for your son to continue living rent free he’s going to have to pick a trade and get certified. Help your husband understand it’s no punishment but the greatest gift you can give the “adult” son you both love. Give your husband the space to think about what’s best, when he comes around, the three of you need to sit down and put the new plan in place. It may take a bit for your son to realize that this is the way into adulthood that he hadn’t been able to find and surfing was a nice way to pass the time, but when he acquires the professional skills to support himself and perhaps his own family he’ll be extremely grateful that you stepped up and showed him a path for a successful future.

Hey Dibi…I saw some of the recent photos online from the surf/skate contest in Bali. It looked amazing, do you think that’s the future? - Surf/Skate Jam
Hey Surf/Skate Jam… Past, future, present, it’s always been the foundation of everything “Cool” about surf/skate culture. I think surf/ skate suffered from its own exploitation and so many pushing its acceptance into the “Olympics” as a sport. It lost it’s “Cool Factor” for sure. As the pendulum swings back, I think people who miss what it was and why they were fascinated with it in the first place will start organizing events that will be reminiscent of the of The Cabo Classic that Herb and I used to host in Mexico, with bands, surfers, skaters, snowboarders, moto maniacs, and all the other extreme daredevils coming together for fun in the sun.

Hey Dibi…  Surfing’s gone from counterculture rebellion to a polished Olympic event and Instagram fueled lifestyle brand. What’s the one piece of advice you’d give your younger self about staying true to the soul of the sport amid all the commercialization?  - Surf Journo
Hey Surf Journo… I thought deeply about your question and frankly I can’t imagine anything we could have done differently to keep the core of surf culture alive. From bringing the original traction pad to market, creating the first surf video series available on VHS, add Herb doing the first tow-ins on a Jetski in the mid-'80s, to the videos we made available on aerial assault that took surfing out of the wave and into air… There was Hell to pay, people don’t like change, our business suffered severely, but I’m not a quitter and maybe it ain’t today or tomorrow, but I believe Herb and I will be recognized as always staying  true to magic of surf culture...

Hey Dibi… With all the wild stories from surfing’s golden era, what’s the one moment from your life that still gives you chills or makes you laugh out loud?? - Inquiring Minds
Hey Inquiring Minds… There’s a lot to pick from, but I think the story of John Severson living next door to us on Ke Nui Road in 1969 kinda sticks out. He was a friend of my dad’s and I used to babysit his kids when I was in my early teens. Then we’re like neighbors and he has Art Brewer and Spider Wills living there with lots of cameras and Herb and I are kinda’  trying to fly under the radar. We were so young and stupid, but after a few evenings on the porch together, John flew back to California after showing his movie “Pacific Vibations” sold the magazine and his house at Cotton’s and moved to Maui, where he stayed until he passed in 2017.