Huntington Beach's Core Lord Shares Love and Hate for Surfing

John West, known as 'That Surf Guy,' discusses the highs and lows of surf culture as a modern surf entrepreneur.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 5:52pm

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In a candid interview, Huntington Beach native John West, founder of the surf photography app CityPro, opens up about his love-hate relationship with surfing. As a self-proclaimed 'core lord' who embraces the role of the outspoken gatekeeper of surf culture, West shares his perspective on the hype and hero worship surrounding the sport, as well as the overlooked stories of everyday surfers who make up the majority of the surfing community.

Why it matters

Surf culture is often portrayed as a world of elite athletes and exclusive cliques, but the unsung stories of the sport's everyday fans often go untold. This piece aims to shed light on the nuanced perspectives within the surfing community, highlighting the ongoing debates about who gets to own the lineup and who gets left behind.

The details

John West, better known as 'That Surf Guy' on social media, is a modern surf entrepreneur who has embraced the role of the 'core lord' - the outspoken voice whose opinions feel final in surfing circles. After an injury took him out of the lineup, West recognized the gap in the surf world, where the hype and attention seem to go to pro surfers, while the everyday surfer - who makes up 99% of the surfing population - gets overlooked. This realization led him to launch CityPro, a mobile app that connects surfers with videographers and photographers across coastal California, allowing everyday surfers to easily document their surfing moments and track their progress.

  • After tearing his meniscus and undergoing knee surgery, West came up with the idea for CityPro in 2025.
  • CityPro launched in early 2026.

The players

John West

A Huntington Beach native who is known as 'That Surf Guy' on social media and has embraced the role of the 'core lord' in surf culture. He is the founder of the surf photography app CityPro.

CityPro

A mobile app created by John West that connects surfers with videographers and photographers across coastal California, allowing everyday surfers to easily document their surfing moments and track their progress.

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What they’re saying

“After tearing my meniscus and undergoing knee surgery, I asked what the surf world was missing. All the hype and attention seem to go to pro surfers, while the everyday surfer—who makes up 99 percent of the surfing population—gets overlooked.”

— John West, Founder, CityPro

“We can easily document birthdays, weddings, vacations, and every meaningful moment on our phones. Yet surfers don't always have the same access to in-water capture.”

— John West, Founder, CityPro

“For both beginners and seasoned surfers, you can actually see what you're doing. Progress can feel slow and invisible without video feedback.”

— John West, Founder, CityPro

What’s next

West plans to continue expanding CityPro to more coastal regions, making it easier for everyday surfers to capture and share their surfing experiences.

The takeaway

This story highlights the nuanced perspectives within the surfing community, moving beyond the typical hype and hero worship to shed light on the ongoing debates about inclusivity and the experiences of the everyday surfer. It showcases how innovative entrepreneurs like John West are working to empower the broader surfing population and give them a voice.