There’s the life of a pro surfer, and then there’s life after pro surfing. Both have their challenges, their rewards, but only one of them really captures our imagination. Which is fair enough, we want to hear about the path to glory and greatness, not the journey away from it. We want tales of waves, women and world tour wins, not the reality of what lies waiting on the other side. Still, I’ve always wondered about that transition, about the shift from superstardom to obscurity. Does it hurt? Do you suddenly find yourself buying whisky at 10am? Or does the relief of not having to spend half your life arguing over excess baggage make it more than worthwhile?

Following Taj’s recent announcement, I talked to CJ Hobgood in the hope that he might be able to give us some insight into his own experience since retiring. Humble and honest as ever, CJ seems more than content to be taking a new line through life.

Tracks: Hey CJ, what have you been up to since you said goodbye to the tour in 2015?

CJ: I’m working as a sales rep for Salty Crew in Florida, taking the kids to school and picking them up, spending time with them, fishing. I went to Western Australia recently, I was stoked to be there for Taj’s retirement party and to see all my friends on tour.

Tracks: Tell us the best thing about retirement?

CJ: Everyone, no matter what type of work they do, there’s always some kind of sacrifice that has to happen. I’m just thankful I was able to back off tour and still make ends meet and be there to watch my kids grow. That’s obviously the best thing.

Hobgood weaves one last time through Pipeline in a jersey. Photo: Joli

Tracks: After nearly twenty years travelling the world competing, did you have any difficulties adjusting to your new lifestyle?

CJ: Any transition takes practice and getting use to a new routine, which I’m still doing. My wife and I have never spent this much time together either, so learning that has been fun, too. I’m still learning how to manage being a rep and what kind of expectations are expected of me—you can’t just look at the ratings in this line of work. I still have the gift of surfing though, so I get to keep the body in shape and take trips, trying to evolve my surfing in ways that I didn’t get to experience on tour. Just balancing all those things is a moving target.

Tracks: Do you feel like there’s been any significant changes in your surfing since you hung up the jersey? Do you feel more freed-up now there’s no pressure to fit your surfing to a criteria?

CJ: I’m not as good. Competing on tour with the best surfers in the world, the standard is so high all the time, when you get off tour your level drops for sure. Also, I can go for a surf now and if the board’s just okay I’ll keep surfing. If that was the case when I was on tour, two waves max on an average board and I’d be in grabbing another. But that being said I’m riding equipment I never thought about riding when I was on tour, like alaias, and taking different lines.

Tracks: You got any trips planned or any waves you really want to have a go at?

CJ: I’m going to Tavarua in early June and the Maldives in August. And I really want to go to Alaska!