It seems Adam has joined the Air Force and has graduated from basic training back in Sept '10.  I commend him but I think this illustrates how difficult it is to 'make it' in pro surfing.  Adam certainly is a very talented surfer who was definitely on the radar and at one time considered a shue in for the big stage what do you young rippers think time to stay in school and have a back up plan.

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In loving memory of my brother Lance, Duncan Currie, BVD, Bruce Dygert and AG.

always try to stay in school , its cool - do them both

I realize this is an honest question/topic, but to single out one person on the forum for a thread discussion can be dangerous. Perhaps an IM or something might be better suited to this discussion. Just my two cents.

You can still order a spcace coast credit union credit card with him ripping.

School is the only sure backup plan. I'm glad I had one.

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If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate.

Perhaps I'm naive but 'dangerous' in what way Adam was a very visible entity in the surf world for most of his life and his new path is certainly an admirable one.  I think his life experience is remarkable in that he was the 'next Slater' until he wasn't how many home schooled wannabees could benefit from his example?

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In loving memory of my brother Lance, Duncan Currie, BVD, Bruce Dygert and AG.

Adam easily could have "made it" and pretty much did but he decided to walk away from it. I would have stuck with surfing personally but good for him on going against the grain and trying somthing new. I herd herd he's an MMA animal too or somthing like that.

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R I P Mama G.

@Salt.And.Savagery.Fishing

@Laserwolf.Laserwolf

Interesting LB us fossils remember when Jock Sutherland did essentially the same thing and blew everyones mind by joining the Army.

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In loving memory of my brother Lance, Duncan Currie, BVD, Bruce Dygert and AG.

Life is all about change.

Also would surfing be as fun if it was your job?

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The cops never think it’s as funny as you do.

yes

No i dont think surfing would be nearly as much fun if it was your job....ya u get to surf a lot of good waves but ur always worried about ur performance and eventually it would become a chore...its not always a career and when all the new up n comers are ripping u out of the water nobody will care...then what do u do? Stay in school or HAVE A BACK UP PLAN...its obviously very tough and stressful when ur plan is to become a pro surfer

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poopsuit

Sounds like he opted for stability. Can't fault him for that.
Everyone gets to make up their own mind.

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Learn something.  Anything.  Please.

Good friends with the wickwire family...Adam was over the stress of contests and wanted what was best for him..he still RIPS and so do the rest of the wickwire family, still shreding and loving it just not as a career

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I commend him and he does indeed rip and I thank him for his service to our country and his desire to do what is right for him and his future I wish him all the best.

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In loving memory of my brother Lance, Duncan Currie, BVD, Bruce Dygert and AG.

I was reading the posts and I like what meditateandeducate said about the stress. I know a lot of kids have a dream about being a pro surfer and part of the thread is about educating yourself and having a back up plan. When I was younger, things such as online classes did not exist for college. I would never want to poo poo on anyone's dreams but you have to think about your future beyond surfing as well. If you are going to make an attempt, then enroll in some classes at least. If anything it might keep you out of the clubs and the parties on the road. I am not downing Adam at all but I think he would be the first to admit that he did not exactly make it and ripping has nothing to do with it. There are a lot of people in Brevard County, Florida, the east coast, and around the world that were probably touted as being the next big thing and are now at home wondering what happened. It is easy to do well in the local pro event and then you find yourself on the longest losing streak of your life. Winning on the qualifying tour means that you lose fewer times than the other losers. Even Kelly has a rough time on the primes. Then add in making the sponsors happy and you have a lot of stress. I see so many kids being home schooled because their kid is surfing some Jr. Pro event. I went to Ponce Inlet one week day expecting it to be empty and saw a Surfing America event and the line up was loaded with kids who looked to be around 17 and under. These events should not encourage kids to be home schooled or make them miss school...they should run on the weekends.

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My parents went to Cocoa Beach and all I got was this lousy surfboard!

Making it is never what you think and for a lot of guys, the glamour is only in hindsight.  I just picture the devil sitting on a rock in a tropical paradise with absolutely perfect waves behind her offering a shot at the wct in a way where you can't see all of the things you lose to win that.  Everybody makes their own bargains with their souls and world and sometimes youth can obscure your own understanding of who you are and who you want to be.  I always thought that I had the attitude and mental skill set to truly handle fame, fortune, surfaris and legendary trips where the videos were sold by the millions, but it turns out that my lack of talent never allowed me to showcase all that other stuff.  Oh well. 

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"One of the reasons why propaganda tries to get you to hate government is because it's the one existing institution in which people can participate to some extent and constrain tyrannical unaccountable power." Noam Chomsky.

i heard he has gotten super fat since he's been in the military. but rumor has it that he is planning a comeback!!

Adam rips hard,but the golden boy EG will be reppin the east coast for a LONG time