Jeff Booth has had a outstanding career as both a pro surfer and a surf industry executive. Jeff surfed the ASP tour for 9 seasons. He was ranked in the top ten for 3 years finishing as high as #4 in 1995. Born in 1969 in Los Angeles, Booth moved with his family to Laguna the following year, and began surfing at age 8. Cutting his teeth on the reefs of his hometown, he began competing early, rising to the top of the amateur ranks. He was runner up in the junior division of the 1984 World Amateur surfing champions, and was again runner up in the men’s division in 1986.
He was part of the renowned NSSA National Team coached by Ian Cairns and Peter Townend in the early eighties in company with surfers like Mike Parsons, Brad Gerlach, Todd Holland, Matt Archibald and David Eggers. At six foot, 185 pounds he quickly gained a reputation as a power surfer. With hard bottom turns and sweeping cutbacks, Booth was especially adept at tube riding, excelling in big, hollow, left breaking waves like Pipeline and Cloudbreak. In his first year as a professional, using his athletic prowess and disciplined intelligence, he earned the1988 title of World Tour “Rookie of the year” and 1994 title of “Most Improved” after coming back from injuries.
Traveling around the world on the ASP circuit, Booth more than once gave away his contest prize money earnings to charities in a 3rd world country where he was competing.
He appeared in more than two dozens surf movies and videos, including All Down the Line (1989), Slater Black n White (1991), 110/240 (1992), and Endless summer II (1994).
.
“ The process of surfing is so healthy for the spirit. It’s wonderful to know that the ocean offers a therapeutic affect for such disorders as CF. Everyone should feel the joy and excitement of riding a wave”
.
After finishing 9th in the 1996 ratings, the 27 year-old Booth gracefully retired, saying he was “fulfilled with my career, and wanted to leave on my own terms and work in the surf industry.”
His business success has been just as impressive – he has worked as the regional Sales Manager at Quiksilver and now more recently as the National Sales Manager at Billabong overseeing the Men’s divisions of the company. Jeff has served as the SIMA representative in years past and now sits on the environmental committee for SIMA. He also currently serves on the Executive Committee of Surfing America.He resides in Laguna Beach, California, with his wife and 2 children. Jeff enjoys beach time with the kids at Thalia street and still surfs Brooks st. when there is a clean south swell. He has an annual trip to Tavarua every year in April where he brings retailers, surf stars and good friends. At 39 years of age he is still as stoked about surfing as ever.
