JW: What inspires you to keep surfing as consistently as you do after all of these years?
TK: The reason I'm constantly pushing myself to become a better surfer goes way back to when I had major back surgery at 15… everyone told me I was done, and I wanted to prove them wrong. I realized that I was in charge of the direction of my life, and I loved the ocean so much that I couldn't live without it. Obviously, surfing is the funnest thing I can imagine doing in the ocean, and I was willing to dedicate my life to inspiring others with challenges not to give up.

JW: Which board design are you most interested in today?
TK: My boards have been so on point from Chris Borst for a decade now it has been amazing to work with someone of his caliber… I nicknamed him "Rainman" because he figures things out so quickly. I have been using a lot of 2+1 fins from Naked Viking, which has opened my mind to making small waves really fun. The other shaper I work with is Malcolm Campbell. I have been close friends with the Campbell bros for nearly 30 years and love the Bonzer. They do different things in different parts of the wave.

JW: You rode one of the largest paddle waves ever caught during the K2 event at Todos. Did you realize the magnitude of that wave when you paddled for it?
TK: When I caught that wave, I had no idea it would be the biggest wave of the year. I was pissed that I ate shit on the wave before and just paddled back out and caught the first wave I could find. It probably didn't hurt that Brock and Snips laughed at me for eating it! The best part was having two of my best friends, Evan Slater and Mike Parsons, there to watch it.

JW: What teachings/life lessons have those 22 years on the tour taught you?
TK: Traveling is one of the greatest opportunities to learn on the planet. You make friends where you usually wouldn't and you are exposed to cultures that are so different from yours on one hand and understand you have similarities with them too. One of the biggest lessons was learning that you have to keep your head down and keep working towards your dream, and for me, that was being a pro surfer. 

JW: What excited you about joining the July Wetsuits community?
TK: Joining July Wetsuits was exciting because it was new and small, but the product was insanely good, and I liked the marketing around it. It's also cool to be there at the start of a new company and help it grow. I mean, wetsuits are such an essential part of surfing because if you're not warm and comfortable, it makes you not want to go out, and there are times when I can't wait to get into these suits because they are so comfortable and not to mention I really like the logo!