Surfer Spotlight - Brent Rand

When and why did you initially get into surfing?

I actually started late at age 27. I’d been snowboarding and skateboarding since about age 10, and I thought I’d give it a go! I grew up in Maine and didn’t know people surfed there until my early 20s, but once I tried it, everything else was a distant second.

Did you have a period you laid off from surfing? If so, when and why did you start back up?

I recently didn’t surf for a month after my car was stolen while I was surfing Bowls! But other than that only a back injury in 2021 kept me out of the water for more than a few days. I’ll always find a way to get out there.

What is your favorite thing about surfing?

I love everything but the crowds! I love that it can be social, I love the physical element, I love being in the water and outside even if the weather sucks. And even if the waves aren’t great or I’m not surfing well that day, I always feel a million times better than before I went out.

Where is your favorite place to eat after surfing? What is your favorite item on the menu?

Anything braddah Wes is cooking for the Bowls, Rockpiles, and Kaisers gang!

What other hobbies do you have besides surfing?

A lot of people know me more for my surf photography, especially in town. I’m out there with a camera more often than with a board at this point! But I dabble in lots of hobbies like skating, biking, pissing off my neighbors with my guitar and as much golf as I can play when it’s flat!

What type of work do you do?

I work in vascular and interventional radiology. I’ve been doing that for almost 13 years, it’s an often challenging but very rewarding line of work.

Tell us about the board you recently purchased from us. What model and size is it, and how do you like its performance?

My newest board is a 6’0” …lost Retro Tripper I custom ordered from Matt Biolos himself at shapers night at the shop in March. It was so awesome to get his input and really dial in what I wanted for good days at Bowls and get an extra liter to battle the groms for waves when it’s crowded! The board is so fun, it’s super fast and loose but not uncontrollable at all. I can really dig into turns with confidence and it’s insanely easy to catch waves. I got a set of MR Twin plus trailer and that combo feels really good together.

Do you have any additional comments?

Thanks for all the help when I need stuff that can be a little tricky to find sometimes over the last few years! I think one of the first times I went into the shop I was looking for a leash or set of fins and walked out with one of my favorite boards, a …lost RNF Retro. Since then I’ve bought a few boards and a ton of accessories and Dave, Brett, and the awesome staff always has helped me out. I’m a lifelong customer for sure! My surf photography Instagram is @brentrandphotography