Macy's And Volcom Celebrate Youth Culture With Alex Gray

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Everywhere Society.

We are thrilled to have guest blogger Melanie Sheridan on our blog this week!  Thank you so much Melanie for sharing your story!  

My son rode his first wave when he was 6. Like most young kids, Tyler ran into the water with virtually no fear. It was fun to watch him out there with his dad, trusting that everything would be alright. Over and over again he tried to stand up, and then finally, he got it. I got pictures of that first ride and of his huge smile afterward. I’ll never forget that look on his face. He was so proud of himself!
Fast-forward one year. Tyler and his dad went out again, only this time he took a pretty big spill. He surfaced sputtering and coughing. But, more than that, he came up scared. I was hoping he’d be able to shake it off and get back on his board, but he was done. Literally. After that tumble, Tyler wouldn’t go back in the water at all except to play on the shoreline. It wasn’t until last summer, when he was 9, that he wanted to go out again. He got really into boogie boarding. I think it helped that he didn’t have to go out as deep to have fun. This summer, Tyler said he was ready to try surfing again. He’s still a little scared, but he knows what to do now. I think he’s learned that one thing all surfers understand: you can have respect for the power of the ocean and still have a little bit of fear of that power, too.

Last weekend, I had the opportunity to take Tyler to the Volcom #MensStyle event at Macy’s in Carlsbad to meet surfer Alex Gray. I thought it would be good for him to meet a young pro like Alex, who, despite being one of the best surfers in the world, still admits to being scared sometimes.
When I asked Alex if he had any advice on how to get kids over their fear of the water, he said no. Kids should be a little scared. He said he never gives in to the fear, and that fear is actually one of the things that keeps him going. “If you’re not scared, you’re not all there. Fear is healthy. It’s what you do with it that counts.”
That’s a good lesson for both surfing and life in general. I hope it’s a lesson Tyler learns to embrace. I hope he remembers how he felt the day he caught that first wave and carries that pride and sense of accomplishment with him all the time. I hope he never lets fear get in the way of something he wants.

Alex Gray is a world renowned big-wave surfer. He’s been sponsored by Volcom since he was 12. His advice for young kids who want to start surfing? Find a good quality foam longboard and have fun! Alex was at Macy’s to meet fans and sign autographs. Volcom handed out screen printed hats and re-usable shopping bags. Volcom is a modern lifestyle brand that embodies the creative spirit of youth culture. The company was founded on liberation, innovation and experimentation while remaining dedicated to the breakdown of established traditions. Volcom’s avant-garde approach to clothing and branding has set it apart in the action sports industry and beyond.

Get to know Alex and Volcom on social media:
Twitter: @turkeymelt1
Blog: turkeymelt.com
Instagram: @A_Gray
Twitter: @volcom
Pinterest: Volcom