Jesse Hines has spent most of his life chasing waves, but his story is about much more than surfing. I'm really thrilled to have him as my guest today because Jesse is one of those people so many of us know from the water, from the community, or from Surfin' Spoon, but there's a lot more to his story than most people probably realize.
After moving to the Outer Banks at nine years old, Jesse found the place that would shape his faith, friendships, family, and future. What started as a childhood passion eventually became a professional surfing career that took him to Hawaii, California, major surf trips, magazine covers, surf films, and some of the best waves in the world. He also had a stretch of modeling work with brands like Abercrombie, Ralph Lauren, and Polo, so Jesse has lived a pretty remarkable life in and around surfing culture.
But Jesse is honest about the pull of surfing and how hard it can be to let that identity shift. We discuss the selfish side of chasing every swell, the turning points that brought him back to faith, and the close-knit group of Outer Banks surfers featured in Noah's Arc. Those friendships have lasted for decades, rooted in a shared love of the water and a deeper sense of purpose.
Jesse also shares the story behind Surfin' Spoon, the beloved Outer Banks business he built with his wife, Whitney. We talk about family, community, business, faith, and why the Outer Banks still feels so special even as it continues to change.
In This Episode:
- [02:17] Surfing has been a huge part of Jesse's identity, but he talks honestly about how it can also become selfish when life, family, and work responsibilities begin to grow.
- [04:00] The transition from professional surfer to business owner and father required a real mindset shift, especially after years of chasing every good swell.
- [04:45] Moving to the Outer Banks at nine years old changed the direction of Jesse's life, even though leaving Richmond after his parents' divorce was painful at the time.
- [06:40] Looking back, Jesse sees how a difficult family change ultimately brought him to the beach, to surfing, and to the faith and friendships that shaped his future.
- [07:55] The story of Noah's Arc begins with Jesse's friendship with Noah Snyder and a close group of Outer Banks surfers who became lifelong friends.
- [10:24] Surf culture exposed Jesse to partying at a young age, and by his mid-teens, he could feel himself heading down a road that did not feel right.
- [12:14] A ride home from a surf contest became a turning point when Jesse and Brant talked openly about quitting drinking, returning to church, and changing direction.
- [14:37] Jesse's professional surfing career started with early sponsors, surf trips, magazine coverage, and the decision to move to Hawaii and California.
- [17:15] Free surfing, photos, and video clips became a better fit for Jesse than contests, where he struggled to find the same level of success.
- [19:12] An unexpected modeling opportunity came through Noah's Arc, eventually leading to work with brands like Abercrombie, Ralph Lauren, and Polo.
- [21:17] Modeling income helped Jesse and Whitney put a down payment on their lot, setting the stage for the life and family they would build on the Outer Banks.
- [22:29] The idea for Surfin' Spoon came after Jesse and Whitney saw the self-serve frozen yogurt concept and imagined how well it could work in their community.
- [23:36] Friends, creativity, a memorable logo, and help from a UNCW business student all played a role in getting Surfin' Spoon off the ground.
- [25:06] Even with opportunities to expand, Jesse and Whitney chose to protect their family life and avoid growing the business faster than they could handle.
- [26:46] Surfin' Spoon's ice cream sandwiches started with recipes purchased from a local woman who had built an allergy-friendly dessert business.
- [28:46] Growth into stores in Raleigh, Wilmington, and beyond brought exciting opportunities, but also showed Jesse where the business needed healthy limits.
- [30:13] Beyond surfing, the Outer Banks stands out to Jesse because of the small-town community and the way people genuinely look out for each other.
- [31:45] Family life on the Outer Banks includes simple adventures like driving to Carova, visiting lighthouses, camping in Frisco, and spending time in Ocracoke.
- [32:47] Randy and Jesse reflect on how the Outer Banks has changed with more people and traffic while still holding onto the character that makes it special.
- [35:51] The Outer Banks can be a wonderful place to grow up and settle down, but housing costs and limited opportunities make it harder for young adults starting out.
- [36:30] Surfing here is uniquely challenging because of shifting sandbars, strong currents, rip tides, and the lack of predictable channels found in other surf destinations.
- [39:11] Favorite surf spots include the Lighthouse, Avon, Buxton, Rodanthe, and especially Pea Island, where Jesse loves being able to find his own peak.
- [40:17] During the COVID bridge closures, uncrowded waves and incredible sandbars created some of Jesse's most memorable Outer Banks surf sessions.
Resources:
- Beach Road Banter Podcast
- Surfin Spoon
- Surfing For Autism
- Surfin Spoon - Facebook
- Noah's Arc
- The Nine Lives of Jesse Hines
