Meet Jonathan Monroy | Albatross Surfboards

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jonathan Monroy and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jonathan, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I always was fanatical about surfboard designs. I’d search and search to find anything and everything; rare designs, unique shapes, everyday designs, really everything. I love the journey of finding new feels when riding waves. I shaped a few boards here and there, but I suppose timing wasn’t there. One day about 7 years ago I had this simple thought pop in my head; why am I not making my own boards for myself? And that’s exactly what I did. I just started making them for myself. And… they worked. It was such a gratifying feeling to create something that actually worked how my mind wanted it to. Friends started asking me to make them boards. Feedback was amazing and those worked too! Before I knew it, I was getting friends of friends and friends of those friends ordering boards. In the beginning, any chance I had to get more experience shaping, I would take it so I could be better at making boards for myself. It just kept going from there. I felt it was an honor to design boards for people, so I had to give it my best. Surfing is a true form of joy and to have the opportunity to make a tool for someone that connects them to that joy; well that’s a little slice of magic.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have a variety of designs, but they all share a commonality. Speed, flow, and trim. There are so many options when it comes to surfboards and a lot of great shapers to choose from. My designs draw inspiration from the waves of the California coast line combined with certain surfing styles. I love seeing a rider with an effortless seamless style, making it look easy, when it is anything but easy. I like making all sizes of boards and trying to get each one to carry that happy medium combination of speed and flow. It’s an exhilarating feeling to glide across the face of a wave. I want my boards to enhance that feeling. You never quite arrive, it’s an eternal process of searching for the small nuances that make a powerful impact on how a board design connects with a wave. It’s definitely not an easy thing to do, but I also wouldn’t use the word hard because I love doing it. Its a reminder that keeps me on my toes, to always be looking for ways to elevate my craft. Nothing comes easy. If something is worth it, it doesn’t come easy. The secret is working hard. That’s always kept me going. I enjoy the middle part of it all, the journey. I try to remind myself of that and how to stay present with it all. I know my best work has been when I am right there, mentally and physically.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Surfrider Beach, Malibu 1st Point is a pretty special place. It holds a rich surf history and in many ways has been the birth of style in surfing. So many iconic surfers staked their name in surfing history from surfing Malibu. I have a love hate relationship with it though. It’s beautiful and chaotic, quiet and serene, crowded and loud, perfect and mad all at the same time. It is surely worth a visit. Top it off with a Howdy’s burrito… never disappoint. Or Tacos Tu Madre is one of my favorite places.

There are so many amazing beaches along the California coastline. It’s a great place to explore! I can’t give up all my secrets though cause that would take away from someone else’s journey, haha, but there are some real gems along the way.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My wife is such a huge part of this. She could see that this was something I loved. She pushed me to be the best I can be. A true backbone to me.

I’ve had some great mentors open up their doors to me. Lance Carson, Ray Lucke, Gene Cooper and Chris Samaniego. The knowledge they gave me, the skills they taught me, the appreciation of the craft they showed me… I can’t ever thank them enough. I’m beyond grateful.

I also have the greatest group of friends who just believed in what I was doing. Looking back, I didn’t even know it at the time how much they believed in me. They kept ordering boards from me, giving me opportunity to keep going. It’s humbling to have friends like that. Some good people in my life.

Website: www.albatrosssurfboards.com

Instagram: @albatross-surfboards