Take a Look Through the Lens at Mark McNaught in Mexico

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$Agua surfboards was his first real branded board. They were the first group to offer him a ride to Northern Mexico, no passport required in those days. Just a car, fuel, and thick wetsuits with single fin boards. That lasted for about 4 years as his sponsor. Now, Mark rides boards by ...Lost and SuperBrand. He\'s also sponsored by Quiksilver for wetsuits and apparel, and footwear by Adidas. Photo by: Damian Davila$

Agua surfboards was his first real branded board. They were the first group to offer him a ride to Northern Mexico, no passport required in those days. Just a car, fuel, and thick wetsuits with single fin boards. That lasted for about 4 years as his sponsor. Now, Mark rides boards by ...Lost and SuperBrand. He's also sponsored by Quiksilver for wetsuits and apparel, and footwear by Adidas. Photo by: Damian Davila

Growing up, one of Mark’s favorite surfers was Shaun Tomson. But now he truly enjoys watching the younger generation of shredders more then ever... tricks to airs to rail game. But, his personal love is still chasing barrels. “We all love this place in our beautiful ocean,” he said. Photo by: Damian Davila

$To me this is a really impressive shot taken by the legend, Rob Keith at Baja Malibu around 2003. Rob Keith moved from Florida and settled on the west coast. It was in 1989 that Mark fell in love with Mexico (Baja Malibu and Rosarito Beach). To this day, he still heads south of the border anytime there\'s epic surf. Photo by: Rob Keith$

To me this is a really impressive shot taken by the legend, Rob Keith at Baja Malibu around 2003. Rob Keith moved from Florida and settled on the west coast. It was in 1989 that Mark fell in love with Mexico (Baja Malibu and Rosarito Beach). To this day, he still heads south of the border anytime there's epic surf. Photo by: Rob Keith

Some of his close friends are always asking him, “Hey Mark, do you ever work?” This is because he spends so much time surfing in Baja. He responds with, “Yeah I work on my barrels and bottom turns!” Haha! Photo by: Rob Keith

$Mark has been shredding for 42 years now! He started surfing at age 8. A few cool locals David, Jack, and Buttons helped him get involved and showed him how to place a surfboard in the sand to practice standing up. This photo was his first cover shot for a local magazine called BREAKOUT. He\'s riding a DT surfboard and wearing a classic Victory wetsuit. Photo by: Chuck Gomery.$

Mark has been shredding for 42 years now! He started surfing at age 8. A few cool locals David, Jack, and Buttons helped him get involved and showed him how to place a surfboard in the sand to practice standing up. This photo was his first cover shot for a local magazine called BREAKOUT. He's riding a DT surfboard and wearing a classic Victory wetsuit. Photo by: Chuck Gomery.

Mark likes to go to Baja because it’s a real place with historical culture. He loves the drive to the beautiful ocean there. It offers him an amazing playground only one hour south of his home. His favorite spots to surf are the beachbreaks and points, with no crowds and the raw power of North swells. Photo by: Damian Davila

Surfing, it’s the best way to keep Mark positive, healthy, and full of happiness. This is the way he feels every time he hits the lineup, even after all these years. Photo by: Damian Davila

This was on a cloudy, Summer day just out front of my house in Baja where we met a few years earlier. To this day, he still comes and visits me regularly to surf and shoot. Photo by: Damian Davila

$It was 1989 that Mark fell in love with Mexico. Now, he has been working in the surf industry for 38 years as a manufacturer of apparel, building garments for the best brands in the industry. That\'s where a few partners and him got together to create the brand called PIRATE SURF. Photo by: Damian Davila$

It was 1989 that Mark fell in love with Mexico. Now, he has been working in the surf industry for 38 years as a manufacturer of apparel, building garments for the best brands in the industry. That's where a few partners and him got together to create the brand called PIRATE SURF. Photo by: Damian Davila

$“Today\'s youth is truly the future of surfing. They hold the brightest torch that can ever be carried. They\'re so strong, they have the most talent, the best equipment, and they have all of us older cats right there to share the experience.” -Mark McNaught. Photo by: Damian Davila$

“Today's youth is truly the future of surfing. They hold the brightest torch that can ever be carried. They're so strong, they have the most talent, the best equipment, and they have all of us older cats right there to share the experience.” -Mark McNaught. Photo by: Damian Davila

$Meet Mark McNaught. He\'s a 52 year old young-hearted surfer from Encinitas, CA. He is always smiling and stoked on life, transmitting a positive vibe everywhere he goes. Photo: Damian Davila$

Meet Mark McNaught. He's a 52 year old young-hearted surfer from Encinitas, CA. He is always smiling and stoked on life, transmitting a positive vibe everywhere he goes. Photo: Damian Davila

$Back when Mark was a kid, it was all about the magazines. In the next magazine he could hardly wait to see the contest results and who had the next big trick or heaviest wave. It was a quiet and interesting path back then. Today, it\'s all about how fast you can hit social media, and using your phone to check out the best photos coming from all around the world every minute. Now he feels so blessed to be part of this industry that makes him feel forever young. Photo by: Damian Davila$

Back when Mark was a kid, it was all about the magazines. In the next magazine he could hardly wait to see the contest results and who had the next big trick or heaviest wave. It was a quiet and interesting path back then. Today, it's all about how fast you can hit social media, and using your phone to check out the best photos coming from all around the world every minute. Now he feels so blessed to be part of this industry that makes him feel forever young. Photo by: Damian Davila

Editor’s Note: This photo essay really encapsulates what it is to be truly and forever stoked. Meet Mark McNaught. He’s no spring chicken, but he still rips like many of us wish we ever could. I think this is what makes surfing such a special thing to so many of us. You can do it when you’re a toddler, you can do it when you’re 80 years old, and you can still do it remarkably well at age 52 (like Mr. Mark McNaught). His smile is proof that surfing helps keep us feeling young and fired up. Our hat’s off to you, Mark, as well as the talented people behind the lens, capturing your positive vibes for us to enjoy.

This is just a small profile on a friend of mine who is 52 years old and rips! I did this to show that no matter how old are, you can keep surfing purely for the fun… and nothing else.

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