John Salinas wasn't born through natural child birth. He was actually spit out of a 10 foot wedge barrell in a wooden basket. Pretty crazy huh? Enjoying the rush, he decided to call the Balboa Peninsula home, where he still resides today. Ok that may not be completely true, but who cares? John grabbed our attention many many years ago after deciding to trade his wooden basket for a skimboard. We couldn't have him riding that old outdated thing, so we hooked him up with the best board on the planet.

Since then he's nabbed more than his fair share of barrels, and continues to turn heads at his birthplace to this very day. Someone that charges the wedge that aggressively backside must have an aggressive personality right? Wrong! While John is practically fearless in big, heavy waves, he is as calm, quiet, and friendly on the beach as anyone you'll ever meet. One thing is certain, if there is a swell pumping you can bet this young charger is paying homage to his birthplace.