JD San Jose at the age of six.

This photo of San Jose was taken on a snowy day on Whitehall Avenue, the street were he grew up and where he would later practice tricks on his bike and skateboard. "This was my nature spot and one of my favorite things was to lie on the grass by the mailbox, wondering what the clouds had to say."

San Jose and his older bother in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, 1980s.

San Jose acquired his first surf board, a neon Town & Country, on a family vacation to Myrtle Beach. "My parents always wanted me to do what I loved so they agreed to buy the board, " remembers. "Here I am with my older brother who didn’t surf but would take me to the beach when I begged him to."

Image from the television series "North Shore."

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, San Jose watched "North Shore" every time he could."Who knew the soon-to-be art student Rick Kane and surfboard sander Turtle would be a huge influence years down the road? Every surfer knows the infamous quotes, but the art, design, and board building moments were significant in my career choice as a graphic designer and surfboard maker," he says.

San Jose in action, shaping a surfboard.

2014 - When his freelance office job as a graphic designer ended in early 2014, San Jose began working full-time on surfboards. "I learned more about board building and refining my techniques," he says. "I’m thankful for every chance I get to build a surfboard for someone." Photo By Chris DeLorenzo.