Whats your name and what fills your time these days?
J.D. Motes and I am so blessed to get to spend as much time on the beach as possible these days. A lot of that time involves my kids and grandkids, for which I am very thankful. I was the director of the Eastern Surfing Association in the early to mid seventies, and surfing has surely remained a major part of my life, my son Jason, is a two time United States Surfing Champion, as well as my grandson Josh are both East Coast Surfing Champions, so now we all spend a lot of time on the beach together.
Anything special going on this summer?
This summer has been great as my son (Jason Motes) and grandson (Josh Motes) and myself have kicked off the 6 th year of the MotesMilitia Surf School for the youngsters on the north side of the Jax Beach Pier. With that – we’ve been super-busy as we were voted the “Best Surf Camp” by the people of Duval/ St John’s counties in Folio Magazine’s “Best Of” contest.
We’re very humbled by that and I’m so proud of Jason and Josh for how they have built this thing from a few kids into what it is today (30+). Couldn’t do it without the help of our frontline instructors Austin Clouse, Connor Deputy, Ellie Walsh and Lily Schroeder, plus the many student-volunteers we have helping us each week – Thanks guys/girls. Also, “Thank you”, to the parents for your trust and especially the young future surfers whom we hope to instill life values like, confidence, perseverance and a knowledge of the ocean, waves and weather, how it all works together and is worth saving.
How do I like living on the First Coast?
I was born in South Florida, but my real roots have always been here. My parents, siblings (and just about all my relatives) are from Jacksonville, so growing up, we were always up here visiting relatives. Then later, when surfing found me, I would bring my longboard up here and catch some waves at the old Jax Bch Pier; or up at the old Access 5 (now Hanna Park), surfing with guys like Alvin Farmer, Larry Miniard, Bruce Clelland, and others (these guys didn’t know me then, but they were rippers in my eyes). My opportunity to be here permanently was when I enlisted in the Navy (’70) and worked at NAS Jax as a Water Survival Instructor. After the four-year Navy stint, I was able to transfer my job as an installer/ repairman with Southern Bell from Miami to Jax and have lived here in the beaches area since. I love this place, although it’s getting more and more like south Florida with the influx of people, but even with that, there’s so much to see and do here with hidden pearls like Huguenot Park, Hanna Park and Guana.
Any hobbies or interests worth telling us about?
My first love will always be my wife, Debra, but a close second is my love of the ocean and surfing. I’ve always considered myself a waterman. I have surfed, windsurfed and/or Stand-Up Paddle surfed for 62 years of my nearly 74 years on this planet. I thank my lord for this blessing.
Anything else that you would like to tell the community?
Just that, as I’ve grown older, and my priorities have changed, I’m now so into our surf school and teaching these young people not just surfing but also how the ocean works: how waves are generated, what a wave period is, what a set is, what a lull is, and why it’s important, how the tide works and how it affects the waves – just trying to give back what I have learned from my years of surfing and hoping that some of it sticks.
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Mike is a native First Coaster and was a leading figure in surfing and skateboarding for most of his life. After promoting music for many years on the local music scene, Mike now brings a unique perspective to FirstCoast.Life as a contributing writer.
One Response
I maybe a little biased but I thought it was awesome! Thank you