DeTemple has become one of our favorite new friends. His attitude and energy is super positive. This guy just likes to have a really good time all the time. His story is pretty amazing, he's a major inspiration, and he looks great in Unis gear! Check him out, wearing one of our shirts!
MIKEY DETEMPLE: I’ve been professionally surfing for ten years now. I’ve gone on so many trips to so many places around the world. Most of those trips are for shoots- just for still photos, not videos. And I always thought, “man, if I had someone shooting this stuff on film or video, we could make the coolest little thing.” Finally, I met this really talented filmmaker named Dustin from St Augustine… I asked him, “heeyyy, wanna make a surf film? I have no money and umm, I’ve never done anything like this…” He was like, “sure!” So two years later, we have this film, and I’m like, wow, I can’t believe we did that.
JM: Where did you go to shoot?
MD: Well, this being my first film, I wanted to shoot in the places that meant the most to me. We went to Australia, France, New York, California, a wave pool in Florida, Mexico and Costa Rica…
JM: That’s the perfect segue into my next question!!! It’s summertime-- time to get out and see the world for a lot of people. You travel all the time, though, so you’re kind of an authority on the subject. Let’s say, hypothetically, someone’s got just one chance to go beaching it this summer. They have two weeks. Where in the world should they go???
MD: Is there a budget involved here?
JM: Let’s say no.
MD: During the summer, I would go to mainland Mexico. If you wanna surf and just hang out and get a local vibe with a little bit of culture, then… yeah, Mexico is where it’s at. There’s places near Puerto Vallarta that are super awesome.
JM: You’ve been surfing for a really long time now. And with a pretty major handicap. I’ve read somewhere that you’re living with a pace-maker, and that pace-maker has been known to quit on you from time to time, making hospital visits necessary, with subsequent time-out from the water. What drives you back to the beach against unbelievable odds???
MD: Well I think the reason I’m still even living is because of how active I was before I had it. I was born with this thing called third degree heart block. I was asymptomatic until I was about 20, and then I just started passing out. Literally, they put in the pace maker the day I went in to the doctor complaining that things weren’t right. Everything’s been completely different since then. If I didn’t have it, there’s no way I would be able to surf, so I totally owe everything to that little computer. But there’s no way I would ever stop surfing due to a health issue. Especially if it’s fixable. Technology is awesome.
JM: Agreed! That’s some super inspirational stuff right there… So. Next question. This is the obligatory style question: Can you describe your personal style for our readers?
MD: Hmmm… I like stuff without logos. I hate being plastered with stuff. Even though it’s kind of my job to represent companies as a professional surfer, so it’s a tough thing to battle sometimes.
To be honest, I’m not really into the typical surf style, like, I hate baggy shorts and pants.
JM: We are totally with you on that. DEFINITELY. So, last question. What’s next on your plate???
MD: Well, I’m already thinking about ideas for the next film. I wanna go to some spots that are definitely off the beaten path…
JM: We’re totally looking forward to it! Keep us posted! In the meantime, readers, check out this totally awesome trailer for 'Picaresque'
