Tell us about yourself. What is your name? Where are you from? And what do you do for work?
My name is Neal Campbell, I grew up on Long Island, NY, but my wife Maggie and I recently moved our family to the Seacoast of New Hampshire. I have worked in education for 16 years and I am currently an Assistant Principal for Alternative Education at a high school in New Hampshire. I have two young children, Barrett and Soleil. I am a Virgo. I enjoy spending time with my family, photography, tacos and long walks on the beach.
Right off the bat, what is your connection to surfing? When did you start and what do you love most about the sport?
I have always felt a strong connection to the ocean. Growing up, my family went to the beach every day over the summer. At a young age, my father pushed me into waves on my bodyboard and told me which way the waves were breaking so I could get the longest ride. When I got older and started surfing, I would spend summers sleeping over at my friends Rob and Adam's houses so that we could surf in the morning before the lifeguards were on duty. I took a break to play lacrosse in college, but a few friends helped me reconnect with the water when that ended. From there, we began traveling to see the world and surf new waves. I moved to Hawaii in 2010 with my brother, John, and met my wife while I was living there. Since then, my wife and I have had many amazing trips from Panama to Indonesia to Europe.
Surfing has always been a way to connect with nature while challenging me to improve. One of the things I like most about it is the connections made with other surfers. Only surfers know the excitement when you see that wave that makes you run back to the car to grab your gear and fill you with adrenaline. I have met some fantastic people from surfing, and I cherish those friendships most.
Surfing has always been a way to connect with nature while challenging me to improve. One of the things I like most about it is the connections made with other surfers. Only surfers know the excitement when you see that wave that makes you run back to the car to grab your gear and fill you with adrenaline. I have met some fantastic people from surfing, and I cherish those friendships most.
Given the choice, short board or a log?
That is a tough choice. I always have fun on a longboard, but nothing is like dropping into a big (for me) wave.
How many years have you been surfing for Bing? Where did that come about? And can we have your autograph (asking for a friend...)?
I have been an ambassador for Bing since 2013. I had been riding a Hansen 50-50 that my father bought for the family and needed a new board. I have always been drawn to traditional longboards and wanted a new one from a classic company, so my dad and I ordered custom boards from Bing.
At the time, my friend James and I were shooting together whenever we could and kept badgering them with emails of the content we got that day, and the relationship grew.
Bing has done a great job bringing awesome people under their brand. Because of them, I have met people from all over the world who were all incredible in their own unique way.
At the time, my friend James and I were shooting together whenever we could and kept badgering them with emails of the content we got that day, and the relationship grew.
Bing has done a great job bringing awesome people under their brand. Because of them, I have met people from all over the world who were all incredible in their own unique way.
Whereabouts is your favorite spot to surf in the Northeast and why? (generally speaking)
There's no place like home, but moving to New England has changed my perspective on surfing. There are so many options up here that the most challenging part is deciding what type of session I want to have that day. It has been refreshing and brought much excitement back to my surfing.
Learn more about and follow Crooked ambassador Neal Campbell @neal_camps
Photographer: Brayden Rudert