Professional surfer Hunter Jones and editor Jon Pickle have released a children’s book titled Chasing Dreams, a project aimed at encouraging children to explore personal passions and persevere through challenges. The book, which is currently available for purchase through the project’s official website and major retail platforms, represents a collaborative effort between the two longtime friends to translate their experiences in the South Bay surfing community into a narrative format.
The publication also serves as a philanthropic initiative, with a percentage of proceeds pledged to the Surfrider Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s oceans, waves, and beaches. According to the authors, the project was self-published after they managed the design and production process in-house, ensuring the final product reflected their vision for a surf-inspired story that focuses on self-discovery.
Hunter Jones, a professional free-surfer who has gained significant recognition for his wave-riding performances, including a widely publicized attempt to navigate the pier at Malibu during a major swell, stated that the book is rooted in his own non-traditional career path. Jones, who transitioned from an internship with the World Surf League (WSL) to a career in content creation and independent filmmaking, noted that the book aims to provide a framework for young readers who may not have yet identified their own interests or “thing.”
The Origins of the Collaborative Project
The impetus for Chasing Dreams emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic, as Jon Pickle, an award-winning movie trailer editor, sought literature that captured the surf culture he and Jones grew up with in California. Faced with a limited selection of surf-themed children’s books for his three-year-old son, Pickle approached Jones to develop a story that felt authentic to their shared background. The narrative is semi-autobiographical, drawing from Jones’s childhood in Westchester, Los Angeles, and his early experiences surfing at El Porto.
Pickle’s professional background in visual storytelling and editing informed the book’s aesthetic direction. By self-publishing the title, the authors maintained creative control, allowing them to integrate their specific message about the value of persistence. The partnership with the Surfrider Foundation, an organization with a long history of environmental advocacy and coastal defense, provides the project with a formal mechanism to support ocean conservation efforts, as confirmed by the authors’ official outreach materials.
Hunter Jones / Jon Pickle
Hunter Jones and the Path to Professional Surfing
Hunter Jones’s transition from a casual surfer to a professional athlete was characterized by an unconventional approach to the industry. Rather than following a traditional collegiate path, Jones utilized community college studies and an internship with the World Surf League (WSL) to gain experience in sports marketing and digital storytelling. This role provided him with the necessary skills to manage global campaigns and understand the mechanics of athlete branding at the highest level of professional surfing.
At age 23, Jones made the decision to leave his full-time position at the WSL to pursue a career as an independent free-surfer and filmmaker. This shift required him to build a personal brand through content creation and direct partnerships with sponsors. Jones has frequently cited this period as a foundational moment, emphasizing that his career development relied on “following my gut” and maintaining consistency in a field that lacks a formalized roadmap for independent athletes.
Environmental Impact and Community Support
The decision to donate a portion of the book’s revenue to the Surfrider Foundation aligns with the authors’ stated goal of fostering a sense of responsibility toward the ocean. The foundation, which operates through a network of volunteer-led chapters, focuses on water quality, beach access, and marine ecosystem protection. By linking a children’s book to these conservation efforts, Jones and Pickle hope to introduce younger audiences to the importance of environmental stewardship.
The book is currently distributed via Amazon and the official project website, chasingdreamsbook.org. Readers looking for updates on the project or information regarding the authors’ future literary or athletic endeavors can monitor these platforms for official announcements. The authors have indicated that the book serves as a reflection of the “framework for life” that surfing provided them, with the hope that it will serve as a resource for parents and educators looking to inspire children to find and pursue their individual goals.
Chasing Dreams is out now. You can grab a copy at chasingdreamsbook.org.