Interview: Hawaii's Jackson Bunch Talks 2025 Championship Graduation

We’ll get to that, but let’s rewind a bit first. Like you mentioned, you had a slow start and a rough end to the Challenger this season. But finishing fifth place in South Africa and third at the US Open back-to-back must’ve felt amazing. Talk about that month stretch and what led to that success.
For sure. South Africa was the first contest that I stayed with Kade [Matson], Eli [Hanneman], Jett [Schilling] and Shion [Crawford], and having good friends around was a lot of fun. I think it just took the pressure off. The waves in Ballito were also really good for my surfing. There was good air wind and some really rippable rights, and I was just in a good rhythm. 

I ended up going to Tahiti right after that comp, where I cut my foot really bad, so I actually didn't even surf much before the US Open because I had stitches in my foot. The first time I had a surf at Huntington was like five days before the comp started. In a weird way, being injured kept me from overthinking things. I was just stoked to compete. Plus, I really like Huntington. It’s super fun for me, whether it’s one foot or three foot. So I just went out and enjoyed myself and didn't overthink things and ended up getting third. 

OK, so back to Brazil. What was it like sitting there watching the comp and awaiting your fate after your first round loss? You must’ve thought your chances of qualifying were over. 
Yeah, totally. I was in seventh, so I had to drop four spots, but there were around 25 guys below me with a shot. But, honestly, when I lost, I wasn’t even really bummed or nervous. I was just like: whatever happens, happens. I had already achieved the goal I set for this year, which was top 20.

I was pretty stoked on top 20 and not having to re-qualify through the regionals. But then before finals day, there were only three guys left that could pass me. One guy had to win. One guy had to make the final. And one guy just needed to make the next heat to pass me. So I couldn't really sleep that night before. It was definitely the most nervous I've ever been. 

It must have been a flood of relief when things fell your way and it became official. 
Yeah, it was crazy. It was nuts to see how everything played out and watching each guy go down. I definitely wasn't rooting for guys to lose, but in the back of my head, it’s like: “Oh, wow, this is getting me closer.”

It’s wild that after six events in six months it comes down to just a few hundred points. Like, finishing third versus fourth in a heat that you didn't make might have made all the difference.
So in Portugal, I got third instead of fourth in the third round. And that was huge. That’s actually what made me qualify.

Every heat truly matters. 
Exactly. The Challenger is so hard that it really does come down to every point. 

Shifting focus: What are your thoughts on next years CT schedule, and getting to compete in seven events before the midseason cut? It’s probably the closest thing to the old school Dream Tour that we've seen in a decade.
I’m pumped. I’m so stoked to have a Pipe as the starting event for my rookie year. And then honestly Abu Dhabi also looks fun. And I'm also really looking forward to El Salvador and Snapper again. I’m super stoked to have Snapper back on the tour.

Have you surfed the pool in Abu Dhabi yet? 
No, but from what I've heard, it's a bit easier to surf because it's in salt water. But it’s exciting, because I’ve never surfed a contest like that. After Brazil, we went and watched a skate contest and we were all crowded around the bowl. And I was thinking, geez, this is probably what it's going to feel like for us at the surf pool.

What do you consider your biggest strength as a surfer?
I love getting tubed and I really enjoy going backside, and the CT is full of tubes and good rights, especially now that Snapper and J-Bay are back on. 

How about weakness? What are you looking to work on the most?
If I get on some good waves, I feel like I can compete with these guys, you know? But it's just going to be a challenge learning to be on the best waves at that level. Sometimes I feel like I don't link into a good rhythm early in heats and that costs me because I'll end up being on bad waves, which you can’t do on the CT. But I’m definitely working on that a bunch at home by just trying to get into a nice rhythm with better waves during my free surfs.

It feels like you’ve been around forever, but you’re only 20. Are you excited to settle into the CT routine for the next decade plus? 
That's the hope. It's definitely the goal. But for now I’m just trying to take it one heat, one contest, one year at a time and hopefully just get better and better throughout the years. But I mean, I definitely want to be surfing for my career for as long as I can. That’s the dream, right?