Our Team
Randy
Aloha, my name is Randy Strunk. With my lifelong commitment to the San Diego surf community, I have created deep connections to its history, positioning me as a mentor to the San Diego surf culture. As surfer/waterman, I have a great reputation in California and in Hawaii for my aloha spirit, friendliness, and dedication to environmental causes.
PB Surf Shop was originally established in 1962, I took over as owner in 1993 after seeing the need to create a safe and satisfying opportunity for San Diegans and visitors to learn how to enjoy surfing. My background as an expert surfer became the basis for pioneering the how-to-surf curriculum and safety standards you experience at the shop.
Chad
I started surfing later than most, I was already an adult, and it was like starting a new life. The gratitude I have for surfing is so overwhelming that I can’t imagine my life without it. I surf every morning no matter how cold it is and the moment my feet hit the water the magic begins and anything undesirable slips away. There is no better place to watch the sunrise than from the ocean. I am complete because of it; it’s my higher power and surfing is how I pray.
Some fun facts about me are: I saw Jaws as a kid and it made me extremely afraid of being in the water, any body of water, until my parents enrolled me in SCUBA lessons. Diving and Jacques Cousteau documentaries solidified my love for the ocean. Now the only love that rivals it is my bulldog Swayze and my son Canyon.
Ian
There’s a lot of reasons I love surfing, the zen you can find in an empty lineup, the adrenaline rush of a big wave or barrel, the community aspect of making friends in the lineup… Though I think my favorite thing about it is how it can provide an escape from anything negative that’s going on in life.
When you’re riding a wave, you literally can’t think about anything other than that wave. You’re living completely in the moment, you’re completely free.
Chris Kiely
I grew up obsessed with the ocean and would spend countless hours each summer riding waves on the beaches of New Jersey. That made for a seamless transition into the world of surfing once I finally got myself a board about 18 years ago. Not long after that, I spent 12 seasons as an ocean lifeguard, including one in Australia. This exposed me to so much more time in the ocean and the knowledge that allowed me to become a better waterman and surfer.
After college, I became a High School English Teacher in New York and with summers off could continue my “teach and beach” lifestyle. I moved to San Diego two years ago and decided to combine these two passions. I love teaching surfing because I give people the foundation to start their own surf adventure, and where they go from there is up to them.
Kevin O'Leary
I am the youngest of three boys that all love to surf. I grew up on the east coast of Florida where some of the best surfers in the world come from! I learned to surf at the age of 7 and it has been a passion of mine ever since! I have been teaching for over 15 years, starting my surf education journey teaching autistic kids! I’ve taught everybody from people that have never seen the ocean to kids doing competitive competitions. I really love what I do so book a lesson with me today and let’s share the stoke!
Dylan ``Dylmund`` Byrd
Board and water sports have always caught my interest growing up. When my father and I moved back to San Diego, he started to teach me about this highly addictive activity called surfing right away. Of course I immediately got hooked and for roughly 10 years I started my long learning curve through this sport. There are many reasons why so many, including myself, love surfing. In its roots, surfing has a somewhat spiritual side. When you finally make it out to the lineup and are waiting for those sets to roll in, you feel… at peace. As soon as you catch that wave, for a small moment all your worries and stress is left behind you, and all you have to do is react to that beautiful energy created under your feet.
Robby
My father surfed the west coast from Imperial beach to Northern California and taught me to surf at a very young age I have loved it ever since my first wave! 41 years surf experience!
Raphael ``Rafa`` Ponde
I am from Bahia, Brazil and I’ve been surfing for 25 years. Surfing is good for my health and my spirit. I love to be in touch with the ocean. I feel great pleasure in teaching surfing. Surfing has also helped me with healing and being in touch with myself.
Eunicia
Eunicia Badiu is a nature lover and surf enthusiast. She has only started surfing in her late 20s but now plans to lead surf and wellness trips around the globe. Her favorite part about surfing is being able to swim amongst the dolphins, sea lions, and stingray. She believes that surfing is the ultimate connection with nature and the best way to escape city life, simply by walking into the water. To her surfing is a place of peace, patience, and challenging oneself. She believes that life spent in the outdoors brings purpose and meaning to each person’s life.
She is passionate about showing others how to bring about and feel that peace and connection in their own lives.
Nick
I was born and raised in San Diego and have been surfing since I was a kid. I’ve been coaching surfing on and off for the past 10 years and have taught everyone from children to adults and stoked em all out in the process! My favorite thing about surfing is getting barreled with your friends in the middle of nowhere!
Marcos
Aloha, my name is Marcos. I learned to surf at the age of 8 with my father, who taught me. It was when I turned 15 that I truly began to connect with and fall in love with surfing and the culture. I realized that surfing is much more than just a sport; it’s about connecting with nature, learning patience, and waiting for the right wave. For me, surfing is about being in harmony with the beach and the ocean—it’s like therapy. It brings valuable life lessons that we can carry into our daily lives. I hope everyone has the opportunity to experience the amazing vibe that surfing brings. I am incredibly grateful to be able to help and teach so many people to connect with surfing and the ocean!
Erik
I’m a nature enthusiast and surf coach from Point Pleasant, NJ, whose style was honed alongside Collin Wright and Brian Robinson. I got my first job teaching at Casino Pier for Clay Pollioni, then moved to Southern California at 22 after studying Resort Hospitality Management in Vermont—I also enjoy teaching snowboarding and skateboarding. Stuck in perpetual grom form, I thrive coaching kids (including his own shredding son) but welcome riders of all levels. I’m often chasing favorite breaks at Jenkinson’s, OB Jetty, Honoliʻi and Jobos, with seasons in Puerto Rico (2020) and Hawai‘i’s Big Island (2022).
