Shane Dorian’s Philosophy To Fatherhood Is How You Wish You Were Raised

Doz is a book of infinite wisdom. He’s calm and collected in massive Jaws but far removed from reckless – he’s just that good. “I take less risks now, and a lot less often,” Shane tells Yeti. “It was almost instantaneous when I had kids. There was a real change in my approach to surfing big waves.” Although the 42-year-old father of two still went on to take the XXL Ride of the Year (he had two nominations!) with his impossible drop-in at Pe’ahi during one of El Niño’s finest (5:02). 

As Jackson’s old man, Shane’s implementing a philosophy for fatherhood that’s anything but sheltered. He bow hunts with him and teaches the proper way to surf over jagged reef unscathed. He believes in getting outdoors, causing a bit of trouble and still remaining a respectful young’n.

“A lot of people will say, ‘He’s just like you!’ He likes to go bow hunting, he likes to surf, he’s into skateboarding, he’s naturally athletic, and a lot of that’s true,” says Shane. “We think we have all this influence over our kids if we parent some certain way. But really, I think you have very little influence on your kids. You can help them to become a good person, but as far as who they’re going to be, that’s there. That’s who they are.”

How many kids grow up with posters of their father lining their friends and their pop’s garages? If Jackson’s going to follow in Shane’s footsteps, Shane doesn’t know or care. “I don’t have any aspirations for him about having a career in surfing,” Shane says. “I’m just really happy that he loves it.” Also check out the nine-year-old’s barefoot swag on their mini-ramp (1:08). Oh yeah, the kid’s a Dorian! 

Shane’s guide to fatherhood… show ’em the ropes and let ’em run free. Photo: Yeti

“A lot of people will say, ‘He’s just like you!’ He likes to go bow hunting, he likes to surf, he’s into skateboarding, he’s naturally athletic, and a lot of that’s true,” says Shane. “We think we have all this influence over our kids if we parent some certain way. But really, I think you have very little influence on your kids. You can help them to become a good person, but as far as who they’re going to be, that’s there. That’s who they are.”

How many kids grow up with posters of their father lining their friends and their pop’s garages? If Jackson’s going to follow in Shane’s footsteps, Shane doesn’t know or care. “I don’t have any aspirations for him about having a career in surfing,” Shane says. “I’m just really happy that he loves it.” Also check out the nine-year-old’s barefoot swag on their mini-ramp (1:08). Oh yeah, the kid’s a Dorian! 

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