Joel Tudor


Joel Tudor is a surfer, primarily known for longboarding, and competitive grappler from San Diego, California.

Biography

Professional Surf career

He started out in skateboarding and, while in his early teens, gained both recognition and sponsorship for this. He became a professional surfer at 14 and won his first professional ASP competition at age 15, making him the youngest competitor to win an ASP event.
He rode a longboard, and in 1998 he won his first ASP Longboard World Championship in the Canary Islands. He won the U.S. Open of longboarding 8 times, and won the ASP Longboard World Championship for the second time in 2004.

Grappling

Joel Tudor is also a Brazilian jiu-jitsu Black Belt under Carlson Gracie Black Belt and World Champion, Rodrigo Medeiros / BJJ Revolution Team. He has won numerous Brazilian jiu-jitsu titles such as the Pan Ams and US Nationals. He is also an ADCC veteran.

Other Projects

Tudor owns a surfboard manufacturing company called kookboxx. In 2010, he founded the international Longboard Competition called the Duct Tape Invitational.

Publications

During 1999 - 2004 Tudor collaborated with photographer Michael Halsband to create Surf Book, a homage to the architects of contemporary surf culture. Tudor's text accompanied Halsband's photographs. The book was designed by Doug Lloyd and edited by Scott Hulet. Additional text was written by C.R. Stecyk.

Documentaries

Joel Tudor is featured in the art film "Surf Movie: reels 1- 14" shot in 8mm by Michael Halsband, as well as The Seedling, Sprout, and "The Present" surfing films all shot in 16mm film by Thomas Campbell. Tudor also features in a large number of other surf films including Longer, One California Day and Riding Waves.