Jake Halstead Lost 60 Pounds To Make This Edit So You Better Freakin’ Watch It

Jake Halstead, remember the name?

He was a pretty big deal in the American amateur ranks, a consistent member of the US Team, won a few state and (maybe) national Titles, and made wonderkids like Kolohe Andino awfully nervous with his lead-footed approach. 

Well, a few years back, Jake lost his Billabong contract. Then he got hurt. Then he had a kid. Then he got fat.

through it all, Jake continued to surf as much as possible and never lost much in terms of ability (if anything his power game was turned up a notch), but for a 20-something one-time surf star, it was a surprising turn of events to say the least.

About a week ago, I got a message from fellow-La-Jollan Skip McCullough, who said that Jake had lost a bunch of weight and was putting out an edit.

Intrigued, I reached out to Jake to see if it was true—it was. So I watched the edit and was thorougly impressed (you can watch it too, top of page).

Then we did a little Q&A, which you can read below.

Stab: First things first, Skip told me you lost 70 lbs in the last six months during the making of this clip. Is that true?  
Jake Halstead: Yeah, I got fat as fuck due to an injury and also my fiancé being pregnant. #babyweight 

What was your max weight, and what inspired you to lose it?
I was 235lbs at one point. Funny thing is I still surfed just as good as I do now at 175lbs. I guess I just got sick of not being the best version of myself. I have a son now and I wanna be a good role model and be active with him.

You were a pretty big deal when you were a kid. Didn’t you win a couple national titles?
I accomplished a lot in my amateur career, but what does it matter? I barely remember and I don’t care anymore. Like I said I just love to fucking surf. Let’s leave it at that.

When did you lose your main sponsor [Billabong], and how has that affected your life?
Probably the best thing that ever happened to me was losing my main sponsor. Since then I’ve realized the true meaning of life and I’ve realized my love for surfing isn’t determined through results or sucking dick for congrats. I love to surf, and if people wanna back me for that, cool! If not, I will support my family the real way—with a 9-5 job.

How much of your turning power do you attribute to dad strength?
I’ve always been powerful but now it’s just fun to say I do shit due to DAD STRENGTH.

What prompted you to make this edit? You trying to make another push into pro surfing or just doing it for fun?
Whether you guys know it or not, I’ve been surfing everyday trying to better myself—not to gain a bigger contract or to get more famous but just for my love or surfing. People get so lost in the surfing world and I just love to surf and push myself. 

What’d those guys say after you burned them?
One of them was a friend. One wouldn’t ever say a word cuz he knows his place!