“I was doing a piss at the urinal with Mike Tyson and I remember being like, ‘Holy Fuck! This is pretty crazy,’” begins Oscar Langburne, recounting an extraordinary moment in his young life. For a teenager from the unassuming New South Wales Central Coast, mingling with the former heavyweight champion at a high-profile Los Angeles restaurant was surreal.
Oscar was in Los Angeles with Pat Tenore, the founder of RVCA, who had taken him under his wing. The pair had driven in Tenore’s futuristic car to meet Tyson, and during dinner, they were joined by Jamie Foxx, who was preparing to portray Tyson in an upcoming series. Both celebrities showed genuine interest in the young Australian surfer.
Reflecting on the experience, Oscar said, “They must have been like, ‘What the fuck are you doing here? Who’s this hipster looking bloke?’ It was a trip out.”
Mentorship and Influences
Tenore is just one of many influential figures in Oscar’s life. His first mentor was Tom Carroll, a two-time world champion and meditation guru. Oscar met Carroll at 13, and the two have maintained a close relationship ever since. “He’s a fucking unit! So funny and easy to get along with,” Oscar recalls.
Another pivotal figure was Craig Anderson, a surfer Oscar idolized. Their relationship began when Oscar messaged Anderson on Instagram after a chance encounter. Anderson invited him to surf together, which led to a sponsorship and numerous surfing adventures.
“He was starting to chase slabs on the east coast and I wasn’t, and still wouldn’t, go near those waves,” Oscar recalls.
The Unconventional Path
Growing up in Avoca Beach, Oscar realized early that the competitive surfing circuit wasn’t for him. “The amount of competition kids at Avoca at the time trying to whack the lip and jam turns gave me the ick,” he says. Instead, he chose a path that embraced unique lines and alternative boards, attracting attention from major surf brands.
Faced with a choice between school and surfing, Oscar left school to pursue a career with RVCA, supported by Anderson and Tenore. “Craig was amazing about it. He said, ‘You’ve gotta do this, I’d be doing it, you’ve gotta do it,’” Oscar shares.
Artistic Pursuits and Cultural Connections
Oscar’s interests extend beyond surfing. He has collaborated with musicians like Cat Power and met cultural icons such as Nick Cave. “I went and had dinner with him at this really nice restaurant and chatted for ages,” Oscar recalls of his encounter with Cave, who encouraged him to stay informed and read widely.
His artistic endeavors include designing T-shirts with socially conscious messages, reflecting his commitment to using his platform for positive impact.
Challenges and Resilience
Oscar’s journey hasn’t been without challenges. A torn meniscus and a bout with dengue fever sidelined him for months, but he used the time to study Sports Nutrition and reflect on his life. “It was pretty tough for sure. Surfing has always been an outlet and a coping mechanism for me,” he admits.
Returning to the water was euphoric. “I didn’t realize how much I appreciated being able to surf and just be out in the water,” he says.
Looking Forward
At 22, Oscar Langburne remains committed to evolving both as a person and a surfer. He views surfing as a countercultural pursuit and aims to showcase its expressive nature through his work. “Surfing was a punk thing — it used to be frowned upon,” he says, emphasizing its roots as an escape from societal norms.
Oscar’s story is one of embracing individuality and creativity, both in the waves and beyond. As he continues to navigate his unique path, he remains a testament to the power of staying true to oneself.
