There may have been a time when male modeling and professional surfing were considered mutually exclusive, but that time is not now. Many surfers are cashing in on their good looks to earn lucrative incomes that further fund their endless search for waves. For these five pros, looking good and surfing good (OK, “well,” we know …) go hand in hand. Danny Fuller
Danny Fuller’s most notable campaign for Chanel. Photo: Courtesy of Chanel Danny Fuller made his name in the surfing world as one of the finest Pipeline surfers of his generation. However, his obvious good looks, accompanied by his photography and filmmaking talents, meant he was scouted for more-mainstream modeling shoots from the age of 20. Fuller was one of the first surfers to maintain his credibility among big-wave hellmen while working for over a decade in the fashion industry. He’s best known as being the face of the Chanel campaign seen above, and now spends his time between Los Angeles, New York and Hawaii, chasing waves or front covers, depending on the season. Koa Smith
A post shared by Koa Smith (@koasmith) on Sep 1, 2015 at 1:35pm PDT
Koa Smith is a Hawaiian charger who has recently followed in the footsteps of his brother Travis into the high-stakes modeling business. In between logging incredible waves with his GoPro in the far reaches of the world, such as Namibia, he managed to win the 2015 VMAN/Ford Model Search, an annual competition run by the Ford modeling agency. From there, Smith scored the gig as the face of the Alexander Wang campaign, shot by famed fashion photographer Steven Klein. His surfing career is still his main priority, but with demand heating up, it seems Smith won’t be able to sideline the modeling business for much longer. Joss Ash
A post shared by Joss Ash (@jossash) on Apr 5, 2017 at 2:40am PDT
Joss Ash is an English surfing champion who for the last decade has financed his worldwide surfing travels through modeling for brands like Barbour, Sainsbury’s and Debenhams. Ash was born in Cornwall as one of six surfing siblings (his brother Ruebyn is also a professional surfer) and claimed the U.K. title back in 2006. Known for his aerial ability, Ash made a career out of surfing before taking to modeling at the relatively late age of 29. He has recently moved to London to further his modeling career and uses his income to travel to the world’s best waves. Ryan Heavyside
A post shared by Ryan Heavyside (@ryanheavyside) on Apr 19, 2017 at 7:31am PDT
It was as a teenager while working in his father’s business, Nomad Surf Shop in Boynton Beach, Florida, that Ryan Heavyside was first spotted by a fashion photographer. An initial Versace assignment in Miami led to work in New York, which was followed by constant work in the fashion capitals of the world. He is now represented by agencies in Berlin, Paris, Barcelona, Hamburg, Paris and Milan. All this fashion work, however, hasn’t gotten in the way of him running the family business. That allows him to surf his local break most days as well as get paid by surf brands to travel to exotic waves all around the world. Luke Stedman
A post shared by I.W.S (@instedwesmile) on Jul 6, 2016 at 1:33am PDT
After a successful career in professional surfing, where he reached as high as No. 10 in the world, Australian Luke Stedman turned first to modeling and then to fashion design. He is the founder and creative director of the clothing label Insted We Smile and bases himself between Bali, London and Sydney. In between running the business, he still surfs most days. He has been shot for Kooples ad campaigns and the fashion website MR PORTER, but now mostly models his own designs. More about professional surfers on GrindTV How an Australian surfer/model went from the desert to the runway These are 6 of the finest beards in surfing
For access to exclusive gear videos, celebrity interviews, and more, subscribe on YouTube!
More News
Famed Yosemite Climber Zach Milligan Dies After Ice Climbing Fall
Skiing in Japan Is Back Again—and the Powder Was Worth the Wait
10 Winter Hikes to Keep You Trailblazing All Year Round
The North Face Introduces Athlete Development Program
Ocean Rower Fiann Paul Completes Most Grueling Expedition
Snowmobile-accessed Ski Touring in Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana
All Stories
More Videos
The MJ5: Tony Hawk on His Favorite Gear, Why He Always Carries His Board, and More
Here's the Difference Between Bourbon and Whiskey
Young Guns and a Supercharged Catamaran: U.S. SailGP Team Takes on New York City
There may have been a time when male modeling and professional surfing were considered mutually exclusive, but that time is not now.
Many surfers are cashing in on their good looks to earn lucrative incomes that further fund their endless search for waves. For these five pros, looking good and surfing good (OK, “well,” we know …) go hand in hand.
Danny Fuller
Fuller was one of the first surfers to maintain his credibility among big-wave hellmen while working for over a decade in the fashion industry. He’s best known as being the face of the Chanel campaign seen above, and now spends his time between Los Angeles, New York and Hawaii, chasing waves or front covers, depending on the season.
Koa Smith
Koa Smith is a Hawaiian charger who has recently followed in the footsteps of his brother Travis into the high-stakes modeling business. In between logging incredible waves with his GoPro in the far reaches of the world, such as Namibia, he managed to win the 2015 VMAN/Ford Model Search, an annual competition run by the Ford modeling agency.
A post shared by Koa Smith (@koasmith) on Sep 1, 2015 at 1:35pm PDT
A post shared by Koa Smith (@koasmith) on Sep 1, 2015 at 1:35pm PDT
From there, Smith scored the gig as the face of the Alexander Wang campaign, shot by famed fashion photographer Steven Klein. His surfing career is still his main priority, but with demand heating up, it seems Smith won’t be able to sideline the modeling business for much longer.
Joss Ash
Joss Ash is an English surfing champion who for the last decade has financed his worldwide surfing travels through modeling for brands like Barbour, Sainsbury’s and Debenhams. Ash was born in Cornwall as one of six surfing siblings (his brother Ruebyn is also a professional surfer) and claimed the U.K. title back in 2006.
A post shared by Joss Ash (@jossash) on Apr 5, 2017 at 2:40am PDT
A post shared by Joss Ash (@jossash) on Apr 5, 2017 at 2:40am PDT
Known for his aerial ability, Ash made a career out of surfing before taking to modeling at the relatively late age of 29. He has recently moved to London to further his modeling career and uses his income to travel to the world’s best waves.
Ryan Heavyside
It was as a teenager while working in his father’s business, Nomad Surf Shop in Boynton Beach, Florida, that Ryan Heavyside was first spotted by a fashion photographer. An initial Versace assignment in Miami led to work in New York, which was followed by constant work in the fashion capitals of the world. He is now represented by agencies in Berlin, Paris, Barcelona, Hamburg, Paris and Milan.
A post shared by Ryan Heavyside (@ryanheavyside) on Apr 19, 2017 at 7:31am PDT
A post shared by Ryan Heavyside (@ryanheavyside) on Apr 19, 2017 at 7:31am PDT
All this fashion work, however, hasn’t gotten in the way of him running the family business. That allows him to surf his local break most days as well as get paid by surf brands to travel to exotic waves all around the world.
Luke Stedman
After a successful career in professional surfing, where he reached as high as No. 10 in the world, Australian Luke Stedman turned first to modeling and then to fashion design. He is the founder and creative director of the clothing label Insted We Smile and bases himself between Bali, London and Sydney.
A post shared by I.W.S (@instedwesmile) on Jul 6, 2016 at 1:33am PDT
A post shared by I.W.S (@instedwesmile) on Jul 6, 2016 at 1:33am PDT
In between running the business, he still surfs most days. He has been shot for Kooples ad campaigns and the fashion website MR PORTER, but now mostly models his own designs.
More about professional surfers on GrindTV
How an Australian surfer/model went from the desert to the runway
These are 6 of the finest beards in surfing
For access to exclusive gear videos, celebrity interviews, and more, subscribe on YouTube!
More News
Famed Yosemite Climber Zach Milligan Dies After Ice Climbing Fall
Skiing in Japan Is Back Again—and the Powder Was Worth the Wait
10 Winter Hikes to Keep You Trailblazing All Year Round
The North Face Introduces Athlete Development Program
Ocean Rower Fiann Paul Completes Most Grueling Expedition
Snowmobile-accessed Ski Touring in Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana
All Stories
More Videos
The MJ5: Tony Hawk on His Favorite Gear, Why He Always Carries His Board, and More
Here's the Difference Between Bourbon and Whiskey
Young Guns and a Supercharged Catamaran: U.S. SailGP Team Takes on New York City
More News
Famed Yosemite Climber Zach Milligan Dies After Ice Climbing Fall
Skiing in Japan Is Back Again—and the Powder Was Worth the Wait
10 Winter Hikes to Keep You Trailblazing All Year Round
The North Face Introduces Athlete Development Program
Ocean Rower Fiann Paul Completes Most Grueling Expedition
Snowmobile-accessed Ski Touring in Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana
All Stories
More Videos
The MJ5: Tony Hawk on His Favorite Gear, Why He Always Carries His Board, and More
Here's the Difference Between Bourbon and Whiskey
Young Guns and a Supercharged Catamaran: U.S. SailGP Team Takes on New York City
More News
Famed Yosemite Climber Zach Milligan Dies After Ice Climbing Fall
Skiing in Japan Is Back Again—and the Powder Was Worth the Wait
10 Winter Hikes to Keep You Trailblazing All Year Round
The North Face Introduces Athlete Development Program
Ocean Rower Fiann Paul Completes Most Grueling Expedition
Snowmobile-accessed Ski Touring in Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana
All Stories
More Videos
The MJ5: Tony Hawk on His Favorite Gear, Why He Always Carries His Board, and More
Here's the Difference Between Bourbon and Whiskey
Young Guns and a Supercharged Catamaran: U.S. SailGP Team Takes on New York City
More Videos
The MJ5: Tony Hawk on His Favorite Gear, Why He Always Carries His Board, and More
Here's the Difference Between Bourbon and Whiskey
Young Guns and a Supercharged Catamaran: U.S. SailGP Team Takes on New York City
More Videos
The MJ5: Tony Hawk on His Favorite Gear, Why He Always Carries His Board, and More
Here's the Difference Between Bourbon and Whiskey
Young Guns and a Supercharged Catamaran: U.S. SailGP Team Takes on New York City
