Ironically it was the founding statement for me when I first began building boards in my beach-side garage in Baja. A code that I felt could be the cornerstone for a concept-called The Walker Project. But in all honesty-I had no idea where it was headed.

Had you told me back in 1996, in my little 9' x 9' "shaping room" (actually just a garage with a few tools) that this journey would take me all over the world, introduce me to an amazing array of people and opportunities...I'll admit-I wouldn't have believed it.

I wish I could say that from the very beginning-I knew exactly what the brand was going to do, where we where headed, and that I had a clear mapped out approach to the future....

But I didn't.

And despite that fact-I can now say-after many years of learning, and dealing with the ups and downs that come with any entrepreneurial endeavor-that without question, the journey...the pursuit...IS the reward.

Obviously the word "freedom" brings up many different images for different people. But as it pertains to this Company-regardless of whether it's 100 yards off the beach in Costa Rica, or 8 feet behind a boat in Texas...it's those amazing few hours, wrapped up in this pursuit of surfing where we find freedom. Those fleeting moments where we can forget.

Forget the chore list waiting at home, the cubicle with paperwork stacked up, the pressures of keeping everything going..whatever it is-we all can relate. You know..real life.

If you've been around us for awhile-you already know that "Surfing Comes First" is a trademark phrase here at The Walker Project. Sounds cool right!? But I realize that it can't always hold true. Hey....I own the company-and can't always make time!....sigh....

But if you're reading this-then I'm willing to bet you know what I'm talking about, and have experienced that feeling in the water where at that moment-at least just for a little bit-surfing DID come first.

It is that exact moment, that escape, that has driven me and everyone who has a role in The Walker Project to move forward-to keep looking for better technology, better designs, anything that will enhance your experience. Your moment of freedom.

That is what TWP is all about. It was built in pursuit of this freedom. And I consider it a privilege to have our boards be a part of your escape.

-Mike Walker.