Austin Smith-Ford
Surfer extraordinaire
We have been trying to get ASF on the team for the better part of 10 years, his talent, attitude and hard working mentality make him more than a perfect fit for TAC. Joining the team right when Covid hit, things were a little tricky but non-the-less Austin sent it all summer and proved even more why he is the man. A household name in Santa Cruz, ASF has been on more covers than any other surfer from SC. Getting his first cover in his teens on SURFER, then TRANSWORLD, the guy kills it. His style is one to try and mimic and his airs are flawless. He is also known to charge some pretty heavy waves, from northern CA, to MEX and Hawaii. Austin is a true legend and badass, couldn't be more stoked to have him on the team and we absolutely look forward to supporting him through all his future tubes. Find Out More
Ben Koscielniak
SKimboarding wave destroyer/artist/founder
Ben Koscielniak was Born and raised in Santa Cruz, CA. He grew up Skating, Surfing, Skimboarding, and just about anything else that incorporates a board. He is also the original founder of TAC. Skimmin professionally at the age of 17 Ben has traveled all over the world. If you keep your eyes peeled, you might just see him shralping the slopes in SC.... Ben also rides for: Pacific Wave Boardshop and Exile Skimboards
Find Out MoreCheyne Pearson
board riding, rope walking extraordinaire
Cheyne was one of our very first team riders, he joined the TAC family sometime around 2008. At the time he was a local grom ripping on any board he could find and just being an all around positive guy. Today its not much different, except in addition, Cheyne likes to walk across ropes over giagantic canyons, and he also still completely shreds on his surfboard and skate, and what ever else you put under his feet. We love supporting his habits, and hope we can continue doing it for years to come. Find Out More
Joey Pasquali
kite boarding extraordinaire
Joey Pasquali is one of the original members of TAC. He was born somewhere around Santa Cruz, Ca....where he grew up surfing, skating, and skimming. Currently he is a Tug Boat Captain in San Francisco and one of the worlds fastest humans on a kite foil.
Find Out MoreDavid Haefele
SKimboarding extraordinaire
David came into the Santa Cruz Skim scene sometime around 2008 - he would show up, not talk to anyone, and next thing you know he is smashing a set wave that no one else would go for. This and many other moments caught our eye throughout the years and is what made us want to have him join the TAC family. David is also one of the nicest guys you will meet and he is also one of the main people who help put on the TAC Skimblast. We are beyond stoked to have David repping TAC, beyond stoked to have someone who is hard working and keeps the positive vibes rolling. Keep and eye out for Dave on the slopes of third ave or 26th, he makes it look way to easy. Find Out More
Brandon Sears
SKimboarder/photographer extraordinaire
Brandon is our very first rider hailing from the southern part of California, Laguna Beach. Brandon has become a household name in Laguna, quite the legend. Boosting some of the biggest airs skimboarding has ever seen, and also killing it behind the lens. His water photography has really gone to the next level recently, snapping some of the crispiest shots. Brandon always keeps the vibes high and is probably one of the nicest people you will ever meet. He also has three awesome little groms and an amazing wife. We are so stoked to have him apart of the team and look forward to keeping him clothed for as long as we can. Find Out More
Brandyn Benson
Skimboarding extraordinaire
Brandyn Benson aka B$ hails from the valley isle aka Maui where he owns big beach and gives the tourist daily lessons on back flips on skimboards. He is also is super nice guy who is willing to show your around his island and give you the local 411 if you deserve it. Brandyn is known for his double backflip widdley on his skimboard, he may have been the first to complete one, ever. He is also known for doing gainers off massive cliff edges, its pretty nuts. We welcome Brandyn to the TAC family, couldn't be more stoked to have him in our threads. Find Out More
Bud Freitas
Surfing extraordinaire
Bud grew up on Pleasure Point surfing all day long and tearing apart critical sections of just about any wave he could scrape into, sometime in his mid teens he became pro and the rest is history. Bud traveled all over for surfing events and doing what pro surfers do, what most of us dream about, surf everyday. These days, you will find Bud giving back to the community with his surf school, Surf School Santa Cruz, hanging with his kids, and he also reps several other brands including big names like REEF. We are always frothing to put a new hat on the guy and hope he will keep wearing em as we give em. Yea Bud. Find Out MoreDan Turner
AKA "Lt. Dann"
Dan "TRAN" grew up in the MIDdle of the Town Called Santa Cruz. He used to goon around at Seabright beach, doin dry runs on an old RipTide skim with a busted nose and no wax. It was there that he became friends with TAC founder Ben K. Ben showed him the ropes and soon they were traveling to Southern Cali to do skim contests and to engage in general ridiculousness. After finishing up undergrad in SC, Tran decided to head to San Francisco to attend law school. He has since graduated and passed the bar and is now working for TAC as legal/business counsel. You can still catch glimpses of him shralping at Third Ave. and 26th...
Find Out MoreNasty Knate
DRIVING extraordinaire
Nasty Nate is true badass from every angle, and yes he gets nasty with it too. Growing up in Santa Cruz/Aptos Nate is one of our biggest advocates, shreding the mountain, dirt.water and just about anything sporting TAC. Nate is the kind of guy that will take what you did and make it look like a sissy little girl was playing around with barbie dolls or something, launching just about whatever vehicle he can get his hands on off a some crazy high dune or mound(haha). We love nate and his support for TAC, we will continue to support his habits too.
Find Out MoreBryan Lake
kite boarding extraordinaire
Bernie, is a real peice of work, he lives life to continually ride his board, either being pulled by the wind....or pushed by a wave. Bernie is also known to crash couches, dip his hand in the cookie jar and who knows what else. You can also carch Bernie drinking most of your beers and hangin out on Joey's boat. Recently he has been building his craft working on shaping his own boards, with a local legendary shaper. Look for Bernie smoking past Joey on a the reg, in every kite race.
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