It was a rainy evening, Steve and some of the Vast crew visited Jim Hayes surf shop Tropical Blends based in Ji'an. The day had been packed with surf exploration in and around Hualien County, Taiwan. As the crew caught their breath they were mesmerised by the scent of resin, wood and surf wax. A space where any surfer would admit to having a sensory overload.
As Steve and Jim dived into their conversation, Jim reminisced about his early years starting out as an entrepreneur before leg ropes had been invented. He also shared an interesting story about two young men who approached him with a unique design for a slipper. Jim was happy to help and took a few pairs on consignment - these two young men were the founders of DaKine. This story set the tone for the rest of the conversation.
Jim touched on the challenges of opening his first store in Ala Moana in 1978, prior to that however it was his painting company that sparked his passion for the surfing industry.
Throughout the conversation, Jim shared insights on the evolution of surf culture, including the introduction of windsurfing and the development of essential equipment like foot straps and leashes.
Jim has built his career on solid relationships with local surfers, including notable names like Peter Cabrinha and the Moniz family. Jim turned his passion for surfing into an international sports production venture. He described his experiences working with television stations and the challenges of capturing surfing on film.
As the episode drew to a conclusion, Jim emphasized the importance of staying true to one's roots and the values instilled in him by Hawaiian culture.