Can you describe one of your most memorable surfing sessions of all time? One that comes to mind happened pretty recently at my local break at Noosa Point. Picture Noosa with hundreds of people in the lineup, 2–3 foot, the sun out, crystal-clear water and perfect little waves for the log. Then, out of nowhere, this cheeky dolphin comes cruising into the lineup. It takes off on the first wave of the set and, as it comes through the face of the wave, I see it almost eye to eye. Then I realise I’m next in the lineup. I spin the 9’7 around and take off, hoping to party wave with it. I get to my feet, look back, and the dolphin is right there beside me, cruising along the wave. A few seconds later it ducks underneath my board and starts zig-zagging back and forth beneath me before eventually shooting off into the crowd. I looked up and everyone around me was just in awe of what had happened. It was one of those moments where you can’t really plan it or recreate it. You’re just out surfing and suddenly you get reminded how incredible creation is.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? Hey, I’m Jared. I’m originally from Tamworth in inland NSW, where I spent most of my childhood growing up on a small farm. Every year during the school holidays, my family would come up to the Sunshine Coast, so this part of Queensland has always felt pretty familiar to me.
It wasn’t until I moved to Port Macquarie in Year 10 that I started learning how to surf. I saw how epic surfing was and decided I was going to properly learn, so for about three months I went out every day no matter what the conditions were like. By the end of it I could finally stand up and turn, and that pretty much started my addiction to the ocean and chasing waves.
Not long after that I got involved with Christian Surfers Port Macquarie. I loved the community, hanging out with the crew and eventually helping with leadership there.
After finishing my carpentry apprenticeship, I bought a LandCruiser and started travelling up and down the east coast. I’d pick up carpentry work along the way, surf wherever I could and keep moving.
Eventually I found myself back on the Sunshine Coast, where I had spent so many holidays growing up. I picked up some work and connected with the Christian Surfers crew here. I ended up staying for around three months, making some really great friendships and connections before continuing my travels south for another six months.
Over time, I kept feeling drawn back to the Sunshine Coast. Eventually I planted myself here, got involved in the local Christian Surfers community, helped start a Bible study and continued stepping into leadership. I now live in Noosa and work as a carpenter alongside my role with Christian Surfers Australia.
What is your role with Christian Surfers Australia and what is involved with this position? I’m the Queensland Regional Coordinator for Christian Surfers Australia. My role is really about supporting, encouraging and helping grow Christian Surfers communities along the Queensland coastline.
A big part of it is investing in local leaders and strengthening the missions and communities that are already running. I want to help leaders feel supported, connected and equipped for what God has put in front of them. Another part of the role is looking beyond where Christian Surfers currently exists and asking where new communities could grow. Queensland has such a massive coastline and there are so many surf towns and communities where people are already gathering around the ocean. The heart is to see more surfers connected into genuine community and ultimately introduced to Jesus. Practically, that means travelling along the coast, spending time with local leaders and surfers, helping organise camps and events, connecting with churches, developing leaders and supporting new ideas and local initiatives.
But underneath all of that, the role is really relational. Christian Surfers isn’t just about running events or programs. It’s about being present in surf communities, building genuine friendships and creating spaces where people feel like they belong. For me, the heart of the role is helping people recognise that their local beach and surfing community can also be a place of mission. We want surfers to encounter Jesus, grow in their faith and then naturally live that faith out among the people they already surf with every week.
If you want to support Jared in his role, you can provide a tax deductible donation through the button link.
Jared Mason, Christian Surfers Australia, QLD Regional Coordinator.