The Definition of a Fighter PART 2

Brian Knoblock: 1: Combat Veteran 2: Surfer 3: Fighter

commendable work in Fallujah. When asked how receiving the honor felt, Knoblock responded humbly by saying, “I was just doing my job.” Ironically, he would soon be sidetracked physically by his back once again. Knoblock was given an honorable discharge just short of his four year enlistment term for painful narrowing of disks in his spinal column. The injury had nothing to do with his auto accident however. It was a compression injury of the L4 and L5 vertebrae; a symptom of carrying gear—sometimes up to 50 pounds at a time—during long hours on military missions. Back home Knoblock turned, once again, to firefighting with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection—now known as Cal Fire—working out of San Bernardino. Again his services were called upon during some devastating seasonal fires in the area. Though once again he found this work satisfying, he couldn’t help but hear the call of the ocean. In 2007, with a renewed ambition to do something with his surfing, he made the move to put down roots in San Clemente where his father Steve—who shared his love for the “Spanish Village by the Sea” and served on City Council from 2005 to 2008— and his step-mother Twyla had been living since 2001. Knoblock now spends his days surfing, working at South Coast Fire Protection, volunteering for the Life Rolls On Foundation—a foundation dedicated to helping surfers and other young people stricken with devastating spinal cord injuries—and motivating those he comes in contact with to hold on to their
dreams. “I watched people around me having their dreams derailed by parenthood, marriage, age, belief in themselves, life and whatever else,” said Knoblock. “I hated seeing friends just settle. I want everyone to know that wherever life takes you, it’s never too late to follow your dreams. Don’t give up. I don’t want to give up. I’m just glad
to be alive and able to give this [surfing] another shot.” His surfing is progressing well despite life’s detours, a fact that he credits to having the opportunity to practice in a community of so many talented athletes. “In a town like San Clemente I’m always in the water with great surfers,” said Knoblock. “Being in the lineup with guys like the Gudauskas brothers always pushes my surfing.”It seems that some in the industry have begun to take notice. Knoblock was recently sponsored by Sullen Clothing as the newest member of their surf team and is also riding for Tommy Moore of T. Moore Shapes. These early recognitions have given Knoblock the push he needs to forge ahead and fight for the dream he hatched so many years ago as a kid. Does he feel like he missed out on the pro surfing “window” during his life’s various battles? “Maybe. It’s hard to say, but I have no regrets,” said Knoblock. “I still dream of having a career somewhere in the action sports industry if not as a pro surfer. But I would like to, at the very least, get to free surf, travel and help the community in some way.” When asked where he sees himself in 10 years, he said, “…a part of the surf industry; married; maybe a few kids; living in San Clemente and just being happy. Oh, and teaching my groms
how to surf.” Whether his future offspring become great surfers or not remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: they will grow up knowing what it means to be a fighter.

The Definition of a Fighter: Brian Knoblock Part 1

 

Surfing