Introducing Noah Wegrich
You grew up in Santa Cruz, which is known for its cold water and core surf culture. What is the most ruthless, unfiltered piece of local advice or criticism you ever received as a grom (and did you take it on board)?
"Go back to the south side you fucking maggot" haha best advice I ever got. I grew up on the south side of town and it's known for having lots of sharks and shitty beach breaks. Which I think turned me into a better surfer. Beach breaks are always changing so you have to adapt to the surf and if there's a shark well you gotta get the hell out of the water or face your biggest fear. haha
You’re known for chasing wild, cold surf instead of the regular tropical dream. What is it about those conditions that you gravitate towards?
It's not everyone's cup of tea. haha I think I was drawn to cold remote places because lots of them haven't been explored and the potential to score perfect waves with no one around is high.
How important are having good-quality sunglasses in the life you lead?
THE MOST IMPORTANT. I didn't really wear sunglasses as a kid and fried my poor eyeballs. Nowadays having a pair of quality sunglasses is as important as having my wetsuit and board.
What is the strangest or most awkward request a brand or sponsor has ever asked of you during a trip?
What is the strangest or most awkward request a brand or sponsor has ever asked of you during a trip?
One time I got asked to come out to palm springs for a photo shoot......... Before the wave pool was built. I was so fucking confused haha we were shooting surf products but there was no ocean an not even a pool..... pro surfing is slightly different then what you dream about as a little kid.
Your new film Keeping in the Shadows took six years to make. What was the highlight? Lowlight? Our team in the US said it was incredible - how did it feel premiering that project in your hometown to kick off the tour?
Oh shit that's a big question, haha I think the highlight was making the film, too many funny moments and crazy shit happened to pick one specific moment. I don't know though, I think scoring pumping J-bay or Some of those points in South America was pretty damn epic. I'll never forget those moments. Low points were probably just getting skunked and endless drives. I love being on a mission but sometimes they wear you down.
Premiering the film in my hometown was a bit nerve racking, we got a core surf crew around here and a lot of legends to try and live up too so that's a bit intimidating. Thankfully I had a few pints beforehand and people ended up enjoying the film. Felt pretty damn good to get the hometown approval.
What was the best moment of that experience you’ll look back and psyche on forever?
What was the best moment of that experience you’ll look back and psyche on forever?
I think the best moment of the film was all the moments, hahaha that questions impossible.
You pull a lot of inspiration from music. What is the weirdest or most unexpected track on your pre-surf playlist that actually hypes you up?
I listen to a lot of music, constantly getting into different stuff but um lately I've been pretty fired up on old country. I have a 66 gmc pickup that I love driving and listening to Waylon Jennings before a surf.
A lot of your friends are in this latest film. Who inspired you the most growing up, both locally and globally?
I think growing up I was inspired by the local scene here in Santa Cruz. It was so real and in our faces living here, Guys like Barney, Adam Replogle, Chris Gallager, Randy Bonds, Ratboy, Flea, Peter Mel, Matt Rockhold, Ruffo the list goes on and on but I think Nate Tyler is probably one of my biggest inspirations. He has accomplished so much throughout his surf career. Nate's made/ starred in some of my all time favorite surf films, has a beautiful family and makes amazing art. Real life hero!
In 25 years, when some grom stumbles across Noah Wegrich’s footage in a surf archive, what is the exact feeling or vibe you hope they take away from it?
I don't know, I just hope they are inspired to do what they love and get off the couch and go chase it.
What's the best thing about travelling and surfing? Any places you want to go but haven't been yet?
What's the best thing about travelling and surfing? Any places you want to go but haven't been yet?
Best thing about traveling and surfing has got to be the people you meet and hang with, the worlds full of characters go meet a couple and have some laughs along the way. I definitely have tons of zones I haven't got to experience yet, that's the best part. We can't even try to see and experience them all in our lifetime. The earths just too big.
We talk about 'Framing Your Freedom' a bit at OTIS. When do you feel most free?
I feel the most free, doing what I love. Sometimes that looks like driving over a hill on a 4x4 track hunting perfect waves with no one around, other times it's rolling up to my local beach in my 66 with my dog and wife for a simple session/ beach day at the local.
It's only been a short time since you joined the team, but we know you've worn OTIS on/off for years. What are you currently running / what styles have you amped?
It's only been a short time since you joined the team, but we know you've worn OTIS on/off for years. What are you currently running / what styles have you amped?
Currently I'm running the "out of sight" frames there, comfy, stylish, and my wife loves them.
Finally, what's plans for 2026? Any big goals or trips? What's next for you?
For 2026 it's looking to be a cracker of a year. I got a baby girl coming any day. Once she's here and settled in I got the East Coast / Europe premiere tour for "Keeping In The Shadows."
I got a piece coming out in the Surfers Journal from a Europe trip I took with Grant Ellis, stoked for my dad to see that, he loves the journal and making him proud is kind of my whole goal in life besides my family.
I'd love to start working on some shorter length film pieces this year too, kind of already have been haha making surf films makes me happy so I just gotta keep doing that.
Might try to break a hundred in golf, haha it's kind of a new hobby of mine. I am so unbelievably bad but I love the challenge of it. Plus in the summer the waves go flat here so it keeps your mind occupied during those flat spells...