Words.Kearney All Photos.Nelly There’s a fine young man coming up out of the highly competitive Santa Cruz surf community.  He’s a freckled faced fanatic with a penchant for towering tubes and altitude altering aerials.  He’s Jesse Colombo, and you’d be hard pressed to encounter a single soul within the Santa Cruz surf scene not familiar with the kid’s enthusiasm and surf stoke.  Lately Jesse has been expanding his presence beyond the limits of Santa Cruz county, traveling to remote destinations to capture images of his signature style in action.  His hard work is paying off, and by flipping through any established surf magazine, you will see why.  I recently caught up with Jesse to discuss life.

NK- I just want to tell you straight off that Santa Cruz just wouldn't be the same with out you, Jesse. This leads me to ask you what you think it is that makes Santa Cruz surfers such a unique family, and what it means to you to be a part of such a close knit crew of surfers on the come up?
JC-It s cool, having good surfers to grow up with is motivating to try harder.
 
NK- Lets get some background info goin. When and how did you start surfing?
JC- With some friends at 38th when I was 10 or 11
 
NK- You seem to know everyone in Santa Cruz, but is there an inner crew that you usually roll with?
JC- I like to roll with bud, rat, Kieran horn cause we all golf and push each other in and out of the water. also some of the kids that are younger than me get me amped too
 
NK- I'm gonna name some of your favorite things. Discuss each as I read them-
 
-Airs-
JC- Hard, cool if done in moderation
 
-The Harbor-
JC-Scary, exciting, pushing yourself

-Girls-
JC-Got a good one

-Bud Freitas-
JC- Flake, ripper, A-D-D to a level I thought wasn’t possible
 
-Kooks-
JC- I’m the biggest one

NK- Whets your plans for the future? Are you gonna continue with the photo trips or begin to focus on competitive surfing?
JC- Both, a good result would feel nice though, I think, I’ve never made a heat

NK- How would you describe your relationship with the ocean?
JC- Bi-polar, all and all good though

NK- Any thoughts on the recent Great White Shark attack just south of Santa Cruz?
JC- Cant wait to bring bud down there and make him surf, he loves sharks, super comfortable knowing they are around

NK- Any shout outs?
Everyone, you all rip