In 2008, four months after that first conversation, Johnson and Chin found themselves in Chile together.
They were both working on the adventure documentary 180° South, which retraced the legendary trip to Patagonia
taken by Yvon Chouinard and Doug Tompkins—the men behind Patagonia and North Face respectively.
Inspired by the movie’s focus on kindred renegade spirits, Johnson and Chin bonded over their love of
climbing mountains, riding waves, photography and travel.
For David and Evan Yurman, the outdoors and adventure are both constant sources of inspiration, especially
Chouinard’s book Let My People Surf. So it was only natural for Johnson and Chin to road-test a selection of
our men’s jewellery while on a recent surf trip to Nicaragua.
In 2008, four months after that first conversation,
Johnson and Chin found themselves in Chile
together. They were both working on the adventure
documentary 180° South, which retraced the
legendary trip to Patagonia taken by Yvon Chouinard
and Doug Tompkins—the men behind Patagonia and
North Face respectively. Inspired by the movie’s focus
on kindred renegade spirits, Johnson and Chin
bonded over their love of climbing mountains, riding
waves, photography and travel.
For David and Evan Yurman, the outdoors and
adventure are both constant sources of inspiration,
especially Chouinard’s book Let My People Surf. So it
was only natural for Johnson and Chin to road-test a
selection of our men’s jewellery while on a recent surf
trip to Nicaragua.
Q: WHY NICARAGUA? WHAT WAS IT LIKE TRAVELING TOGETHER?
Q: WHY NICARAGUA? WHAT WAS IT LIKE
TRAVELING TOGETHER?
We went to film the second part of 180° South, which was a six-month trip to South America
exploring the origins of Patagonia with Yvon Chouinard and Doug Tompkins.
For the last 10 to 15 years, I've probably climbed more than surfed. So, I've gotten really into the
climbing world, and it was fun to bring Jimmy on this trip to Nicaragua and share
some of my thoughts on surfing.
We went to film the second part of 180° South, which
was a six-month trip to South America exploring the
origins of Patagonia with Yvon Chouinard and Doug
Tompkins.
For the last 10 to 15 years, I've probably climbed more
than surfed. So, I've gotten really into the climbing
world, and it was fun to bring Jimmy on this trip to
Nicaragua and share some of my thoughts on surfing.
Jeff’s spent much more time in the water than I have, and he loves to climb. I've obviously spent a
lot more time climbing than he has, so we have a lot to talk about and a lot to learn from each other.
These interactions and exchanges are gold. Life is very simple on the road when you're on a surf
trip. It's creative, it's being out.
Simple living. That's our roots. You don't need much. And that's such a nice reminder in this day and age.
We stayed inthis palapa on the beach, going with fishermen out to the breaks. A lot of boat rides, or just driving
along the coast looking for good breaks. You're surfing five to six hours a day, eating and then
passing out at like 8:00pm. It was a dream trip—just perfect.
Jeff’s spent much more time in the water than I have,
and he loves to climb. I've obviously spent a lot
more time climbing than he has, so we have a lot
to talk about and a lot to learn from each other.
These interactions and exchanges are gold. Life
is very simple on the road when you're on a surf
trip. It's creative, it's being out.
Simple living. That's our roots. You don't need much.
And that's such a nice reminder in this day and
age. We stayed in this palapa on the beach, going
with fishermen out to the breaks. A lot of boat rides,
or just driving along the coast looking for good
breaks. You're surfing five to six hours a day,
eating and then passing out at like 8:00pm. It
was a dream trip—just perfect.
Q: SURFING VERSUS MOUNTAIN CLIMBING?
It's tough. Ask anybody—Jimmy or any great athlete. Hands down, they will say surfing's the hardest thing
they've ever done.
I think my addiction to surfing comes about partly because it's not always available to you. So, you're
always just barely getting your fix because it's so elusive. Whereas, a mountain, rock or even a skateboard
ramp doesn't move. But with surfing, you're dealing with Mother Nature and you are at her whim.
It's tough. Ask anybody—Jimmy or any great
athlete. Hands down, they will say surfing's the
hardest thing they've ever done.
I think my addiction to surfing comes about partly
because it's not always available to you. So, you're
always just barely getting your fix because it's so
elusive. Whereas, a mountain, rock or even a
skateboard ramp doesn't move. But with surfing,
you're dealing with Mother Nature and you are at
her whim.
Surfing has drawn me in over the years. It moves me in the same way that climbing, skiing and being in the
mountains has moved me. There are so many parallels between the two—being in the elements, feeling the power of
Mother Nature. In surfing, you track the swells from storms. As a skier, you're tracking storms for snow too, the bigger
the better. There are so many parallels between the two— the physicality, the mental aspects, the amount of
commitment it takes to get good.
In skiing, the feeling of carving, and driving your skis and the G-forces you feel when you
make a really good turn are so similar to a bottom turn when the rail of the surfboard's in the water.
I started surfing probably 20 years ago, but I'm a mountain guy.
Surfing has drawn me in over the years. It
moves me in the same way that climbing,
skiing and being in the mountains has moved
me. There are so many parallels between the
two—being in the elements, feeling the power
of Mother Nature. In surfing, you track the
swells from storms. As a skier, you're tracking
storms for snow too, the bigger the better. There
are so many parallels between the two—the
physicality, the mental aspects, the amount
of commitment it takes to get good.
In skiing, the feeling of carving, and driving
your skis and the G-forces you feel when
you make a really good turn are so similar
to a bottom turn when the rail of the surfboard's
in the water. I started surfing probably 20
years ago, but I'm a mountain guy