JONATHAN GRUBBS - 1985 TO 2022 - RIP
A sight too common… Jonathan in the tube while the line up scrambles to avoid floggings.
The soul on the cover of this HOBO ZINE is Jonathan Raymond Grubbs. I have lost a few dear friends too young along the way and none of those tragic happenings had as much impact on my appreciation for growth through surfing as much as the loss of this gnarly poet of danger, my good friend Jonathan Grubbs. From growing up in Santa Barbara county with a pack of brothers to fishing in Alaska and out of Half Moon Bay to chase down his dreams as a big wave surfe. And yes, if this man said he was doing something he was going to do it. The future of surfing in these parts is not the same without Jonathan. It never will be and we can only follow what his spirit guides us to in the water. He was the enforcer in the water but usually not by fist, usually by surfing bigger than everyone around no matter who you were this man left an impact on you in the water. He pushed myself to break fears in heavy open water and left a bonfire impact on the small group of local grams fortunate enough to learn from his ways. Alex Brown followed the way of Jonathan with an open eye and now carries the torch for the underground in these parts and you can feel Jonathans influence on him when he surfs. For this I am grateful and will do my best to champion the underdogs with Jonathan’s spirit guiding. You are missed my friend and will live on in spirit in these parts forever :)
FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS YOUR LEGEND WILL LIVE ON IN THESE PARTS FOR AS LONG AS PEOPLE SURF HERE.
This HERE is ALEX BROWN. Jonathan’s influence can be seen in this core lords surfing. The influence left by Johnny Boy will be felt in these waters for a long time to come with grommets like Alex carrying on Jonathan’s legacy.
IN This LAND OF NEVER, NEVER LAND THERE ARE SPIRITS WATCHING. IF YOUR INTENTION IS GOOD THEY WILL GIVE YOU THE CHANCE TO EARN THEIR RESPECT. IF YOUR INTENT IS FOUL. WELL, THE SPIRITS WILL HAND YOU A HANDLING. MY SPIRIT HAS LEARNED THIS THROUGH EXPERIENCE. IT HAS SURRENDERED AND THE SPIRITS NOW GUIDE ME. THESE ARE SACRED WATERS ON SACRED LAND. THIS OCEAN WILL HEAL YOU WHEN YOU PRESENT OPEN HEARTED LOVE TO IT. A CLEANSING AND REBIRTH FOR THE LEAST SPIRITUAL MAN OR WOMAN, SO AS THEY’RE INTENT IS PURE AND JOYFUL.
I AM NOT OF THIS BODY not even OF THIS MIND FOR SPIRIT IS I OH I AM I FOR I AM THE SEA AND I AM THE SKY And you are the dream that you dream up as LIFE
SIMON BANNEROT
CORY KENNEDY
MATT PENWELL
ALEX BROWN
SIMON BANNEROT
HOBO DAVE
Photo // Dylan Hare
JONATHAN GRUBBS
In gratitude for Jonathan there is a tribute film up on the YouTube. It was difficult for me to put up the video because these spots were sacred to Jonathan and to the rest of our surfing community. Respect this area so we can use it for years to come and for future generations to enjoy :)
Please feel free to donate to help out Jonathan’s girls via the gofundme link in the credits.
JOHNNY BOY TRIBUTE VIDEO IS UP AT HOBO.EARTH ON THE INTERNET