SURFER / SANTA CRUZ ORIGINAL
Austin Smith-Ford
Austin Smith-Ford is a Santa Cruz standout whose talent, work ethic, and easygoing attitude made him a natural fit for TAC. After years of wanting him on the crew, Austin officially joined just as COVID changed everything—but he kept charging, putting in the work, and proving exactly why his name carries so much weight in Santa Cruz surf culture.
ASF landed his first SURFER cover as a teenager and went on to appear in TRANSWORLD and beyond. His surfing combines effortless style, flawless airs, and the willingness to commit when the waves get heavy—from Northern California to Mexico and Hawaii.
Austin is a true Santa Cruz original and an absolute badass. We’re proud to have him representing TAC and stoked to support whatever comes next—more progression, more tubes, and plenty more moments worth remembering.
FOUNDER / ARTIST / PROFESSIONAL SKIMBOARDER
Ben Koscielniak
Born and raised in Santa Cruz, California, Ben Koscielniak grew up immersed in the creative coastal culture surrounding surfing, skateboarding, skimboarding, art, and design.
Ben began skimboarding professionally at 17, traveling the world, competing, and building lifelong friendships through the sport. Whether riding waves, mountain biking, creating artwork, or developing a new product, progression has always been at the center of what he does.
As the original founder and creative force behind TAC, Ben has spent more than 25 years shaping the brand through original art, apparel, photography, and the independent spirit of Santa Cruz. Now based on Maui, he continues that story through The Aloha Crew—bringing island influence, new ideas, and fresh energy into the evolving TAC family.
Born in Santa Cruz. Growing in Maui. Independent for more than 25 years.
Ben proudly represents Exile Skimboards and Pacific Wave Surf Shop.
SKIMBOARDER / PHOTOGRAPHER
Brandon Sears
Brandon Sears represents TAC from Laguna Beach, bringing serious talent on both sides of the lens. A longtime fixture in the Southern California skimboarding scene, Brandon is known for launching some of the biggest airs in the sport while always keeping the energy positive.
When he isn’t riding, Brandon has built an equally impressive reputation as a water photographer. His timing, creativity, and eye for the moment consistently produce some of the cleanest imagery coming out of the skim world.
Beyond everything he does in the water, Brandon is an all-around great human, husband, and father of three awesome little groms. We’re proud to have him representing TAC—and plan to keep him clothed for as long as he’ll let us.
TUGBOAT CAPTAIN / KITE FOILER
Joey Pasquali
Joey Pasquali is one of the original members of the TAC crew. Born somewhere around Santa Cruz—the historical records remain unclear—he grew up surfing, skating, skimboarding, and making the most of everything the Central Coast put in front of him.
Today, Joey works as a tugboat captain on San Francisco Bay and has become one of the fastest humans on a kite foil. Whether he’s navigating commercial vessels or flying across the water at unreasonable speeds, Joey has always followed his own line.
He’s been part of TAC from the early days, and we’re proud that he continues to carry the same Santa Cruz spirit wherever the wind takes him.
SURFER / SKATEBOARDER / HIGHLINER
Cheyne Pearson
Cheyne Pearson joined the TAC family around 2008 as a local grom who could rip on just about anything you put beneath his feet. He brought natural ability, fearless curiosity, and the kind of positive attitude that immediately made him part of the crew.
Not much has changed—except the scale of the adventures. Cheyne still surfs and skates with effortless style, but he has also developed a habit of walking across ropes suspended over gigantic canyons. Apparently riding boards at ground level wasn’t enough.
Cheyne has always embodied the progression, individuality, and good energy behind TAC. We’re proud to support everything he gets himself into and hope to keep fueling the habit for years to come.
SKIMBOARDER / EVENT BUILDER
David Haefele
David Haefele appeared in the Santa Cruz skimboarding scene around 2008 with a quietly unforgettable approach: show up, say very little, and charge the set wave nobody else wanted. Moments like those quickly caught our attention and made it clear that Dave belonged with TAC.
His riding combines power, commitment, and a style that makes difficult waves look far too easy. Away from the water, David is one of the hardest-working and most genuinely positive people you’ll meet. He has also played an important role in helping bring the TAC Skimblast to life. We’re beyond stoked to have Dave representing TAC.
Keep an eye out for him on the slopes at Third Avenue or 26th Avenue—most likely making something heavy look completely casual.
SKIMBOARDER / MAUI ORIGINAL
Brandyn Benson
Brandyn Benson—better known as B$—represents TAC from Maui, where he has been a fixture in the Valley Isle skimboarding scene for years. At Big Beach, Brandyn combines explosive riding, technical tricks, and the kind of local knowledge that only comes from putting in countless hours along the shoreline.
Known for backflips, gainers, and other maneuvers that most people would wisely avoid, Brandyn has always pushed skimboarding in his own direction. His legendary double-backflip widdley may have even been the first of its kind—we’re still waiting for the official historians to weigh in.
For all the wild things he does on a skimboard or off a cliff, Brandyn is also one of the friendliest people you’ll meet. He brings skill, humor, and genuine aloha to the crew, and we couldn’t be more stoked to have him representing TAC on Maui.