Mason Barnes can be found on the water more often than on its shores. A quick conversation with the surfer makes it easy to understand why. The excitement that the ocean brings out in Barnes can only be compared to the feeling one gets as a child—the sound of waves in a seashell, the glimmering expanse, finally reaching the beach after a long car journey.

To Barnes, one of the world’s top big wave surfers, every experience is a gift. As he shares his most cherished memories—attending fashion shows in Paris, competing at Nazaré (where he won the Men’s Biggest Tow after riding a 100-footer this February), spending time with surfing mentors, and returning home to North Carolina to people who recognize him from social media and sports channels—Barnes is still in shock, and a smile of unadulterated joy and gratitude spreads across his face. We caught up with the surfer about moments he’ll “never forget” and what continues to drive him.

DIOR MEN shirt and jeans and EMANUELE BICOCCHI ear cuff.

How did you get started in surfing and was there a moment when you knew it was something you wanted to pursue professionally?

I started surfing when I was two or three years old. I grew up by the beach. It’s literally just been a part of my DNA since the day I was born. My dad surfed and we just always lived that coastal lifestyle—it’s just been a part of my life even before it was actually a profession.

Did you have any inspirations or figures in surfing that you looked up to when you were younger?

I would say the guy that introduced me to big wave surfing was always my inspiration: Garrett McNamara. He has been a family friend of mine since I was a child—he’s one of my dad’s best friends, and he took me big wave surfing for the very first time, showed me what it was like to feel that type of energy for the first time ever. And not only did he do that for me, but he was someone I looked up to as well because he was always known as one of the best in the world.

DSQUARED2 vest, VITALY bracelet, MAURICE LACROIX watch, and GENTLE MONSTER sunglasses.

You’ve surfed the infamous Nazaré, Portugal. What was it like?

You go to Nazaré—as a surfer, a spectator, anyone, it’s going to blow your mind no matter what. The wave itself, obviously, is just mesmerizing and there is nowhere like it in the world. But then there is the energy of the people on the cliff, and the town is gorgeous, the people are amazing, the food is amazing—it is just such a special place. I spend a lot of time there and it’s beaten me up, but it’s also given me some waves that have changed my life forever.

Did you find that the surfing experience growing up was very different from your experience now in Hawaii?

What I grew up surfing here [North Carolina] is different from what they grew up surfing. But, it is a very similar culture in the sense that everyone knows each other, everyone is there for each other, everyone has respect for each other, and everyone loves the same thing—the ocean. You know, we wake up in the morning, we don’t put shoes on, we don’t put a shirt on for days at a time, and we go to the beach and we hang out and surf all day and we go home and go to sleep and do it all again. It’s the same thing over there.

**DIOR MEN** jersey, shirt, pants, and tie.

You’ve worked with Loewe and Diesel recently. Have you always been interested in fashion?

Yes, for years and years. You know, I used to hand-make leather jackets in my free time like ten or twelve years ago. I have always enjoyed having my own personal style—something that reflects who I am as a person, and that is something that is pretty unique in the surf world. Most people don’t really care about that. To work with brands like Loewe is very special to me because they are such an amazing company and it is cool seeing their interest in a surfer. They are providing the means for me to make my dreams come true when I’m not surfing big waves. I just got back from Paris where I attended their show, and it was such a cool experience. It is completely different from anything that I have ever been to.

**LOUIS VUITTON MEN’S** jacket, pants, and shoes.

What can we look forward to next?

Now I am back in North Carolina, and I am in the gym training every day, getting ready for this upcoming season. Sauna, ice bath, gym—that is my life right now. And until something else comes up, Europe or something fashion-related, then I will be here training. I actually have the Big Wave XXL Awards in the next two weeks. I am actually one of the top four contenders for the biggest wave of the year, and I am excited to see the results of that (He wins). So until something else work-related comes up, I will be here training for this upcoming winter.