Conner Coffin’s Pockets Deepen With The Curl

Remember a few weeks ago when we gave a long-winded run-down on the shuffling of surfing’s deck? Well, Santa Barbara’s Conner Coffin shift to the Curl was a main talking point. After John John Florence basically won everything short of best manicured facial hair, Hurley had some financial re-thinking to do. And along with Miggy Pupo and young Noah Beschen, Conner’s contract was left un-renewed leaving the rookie of the year-runner up a free-agent. Although, Conner wouldn’t last long sans major sponsor and quickly was circled by the suits of Rip Curl, contract in hand ready to add the young power surfer to join Mick Fanning, Dillon Perillo, Gabby Medina and hometown hero, Tom Curren on the team. 

New sticker, same charmed life. Photo: Rip Curl

“I’m so grateful to have this opportunity with Rip Curl. To be a part of a brand that has stayed so true to surfing over the decades is awesome,” says Conner with the hyperbole expected of an RC press release. “I think we have similar goals, and I’m so excited to have their support on the Tour at this stage in my career. It’s a great crew, and going on Search trips with some of my favourite surfers doesn’t sound too bad either… The first movie I ever had was the Searching for Tom Curren series. I grew up watching those over and over. That’s where I learned to bottom turn, and it’s where I fell in love with surfing.” On that note, who didn’t grow up watching Searching for Tom Curren? And not to toot RC’s horn, but the pick up of Mr Coffin is a respectable move on both parts. For Rip Curl, the groms dig Conner (he can sell apparel), that and he’s helped revive power surfing in an air-reverse-centric world. For Conner, Rip Curl is a private company; they don’t need to report their numbers to a corporation like the Kering Group, and that results in one of the–along with Vans–most secure teams to ride for.