“[Surfing] gives me an adrenaline rush, and it makes me happy. It makes me feel like I’m flying,” said John Simon, senior at Ventura High school.

Most high school students can attest that they don’t have enough time for a job during the school year, let alone know what career they will pursue in the future. When it comes to working, Simon is not like most high school students.

Simon has created a business for himself at the young age of seventeen, allowing him to sell and market his hand-made surfboards, setting him “ahead of the game” compared to many high school students.

“The starting price for a board under 5’11” is $550 dollars, and $1,050 for a board that is 11’ and up.” says Simon. Simon wishes to create a reliable career from selling his surfboards, and wants to spend his life traveling and surfing. “I hope that I can build boards for a living, and that I can have enough money to travel the world all year round, and surf,” Simon stated.

Although money, and his growing business plays a big part in Simon’s life, it’s not the only thing on his mind. Surfing is his priority. “A perfect day of surfing is four to five foot waves at rincon, on a Friday evening with all my buddies on the beach,” Simon explained, “Surfing makes me happy.”