Field Notes 33: Grant & Garry
Surfers:
Garrison Carrasco~
Surfing:
9’1” Elmore S’eagle
9’6” Elmore Stepdeck
Grant Noble~
Surfing:
9’5” Combination Pin
Surfboards:
Filmed & Edited:
Josh Walker
We got to sit down with Grant and Garrison and catch up a little bit. Here’s our field notes:
KK: I’d think our community would recognize both of your names by now but for those that don’t know you, tell us a little bit about yourself. Where are you from, how old are you, what is getting you excited these days?
GN: Yo Yo!
Grant Noble here, I’m 29 years old born and raised in Costa Mesa Ca.
Surfings & shaping boards have always been my #1 but outside of that, 2 wheels always gets me excited. Bikepacking adventures, riding down the mountain, motorbikes old and new.
GC: Hello! I’m Garrison. I’m from Orange, CA, and I’m 24.
Within the past few months, I’ve been super stoked on trail running and finding flow in creating soundscapes with my guitar and synth. I love how intense both activities can get, and both are extremely rewarding for different reasons.
Garrison, you’re a bit more underground than Grant so can you talk a little more about your relationship with surfing?
GC: I’ve pretty much been surfing my whole life. My dad got me on a log at a pretty young age, and by middle school, I started competing in contests. As time went on, I found a lot more freedom in surfing purely for the meditative, expressive, and social experience that it is. It’s so nice surfing with no pressure while recognizing how much of a privilege it is.
Grant, in our last interview you divulged that you actually like riding shortboards more than longboards (which surprised me) but you just tend to ride logs all the time because the waves are small in Southern California. It’s been a pretty mellow start to 2026 right? Have you had much opportunity to take the low volume sticks out or have you been logging some log time?
GN: Yeah I love time on shorter boards because it seems like we don’t get too much of it. For the start of 2026 has been an epic mix of both, I did a couple weeks in Australia logging sand bottom points in Noosa and came home to an insane Southswell where we got some crazy tubes at 56th st.
I’ve actually got a couple new volume models in the works which got a lot of testing during that time.
A traditional fish & an all around twinzer!
Garry, you’re also someone that can ride everything. Obviously, you’re logging in this bit, do you have a preference between the longer and shorter boards in your life?
GC: Oh man, I’m definitely more comfortable on the log hahaha. Both are fun, and both have their time and place, but the funnest sessions I’ve had have been 3 foot days on logs with the homies.
That being said, I find a thrill in riding a log when I’m supposed to be on a shortboard.
How do you guys get geared up for a surf? Is there any pre/post surf ritual like having a coffee before your morning session or eating Pedros after San O?
GN: Hmmmm I don’t think i’ve ever had any pre surf ritual, but usually I find myself watching fun waves until the wind comes up haha.
GC: I’ve never really had a set pre-surf ritual. I used to drink coffee before sessions in high school, but I’d say the only thing that has stayed constant has been the sonic annihilation my ears undergo from blasting music on the way to the beach. It’s been pretty hilarious to pull up to log some ankle biters blasting hardcore or drone metal.
If you were reincarnated as any sea creature what would you be and why?
GC: Dolphin! You can get any wave you want without the paddle battle.
Who’s your favorite person to surf with? And you can’t say eachother…
GN: You can’t beat having a fun surf with the mrs!
GC: It’s a shame it's not often, but surfing with my dad is truly so special. Especially as I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized how sacred those sessions I get with him are. His positive energy is so contagious, and I find myself experiencing so much joy when I get to trade off waves with him.
Who’s your least favorite person to surf with? And you can’t say eachother…
GN: You know that guy that paddles around you , that guy haha. Sorry if it’s me.
GC: Depending on the day, myself.
What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever seen in the ocean? Mermaids, trash, UFOs, etc?
GN: Weirdest thing hmmmmm, I’ve seen some crazy things float out of the river jetties inlet after a rain.
Dead Rattlesnakes, Trees, bikes
GC: One time, I was surfing that long left-handed point break in Mexico, Saladita, and as I was on a set wave, this bee came out of nowhere and was flying in front of my face for like 10 seconds. It was so weird trying to dodge and fend off this bee as I was riding this perfect peeler to shore.
If you had to surf only one wave for the rest of your life what would it be?
GN: Hmmmmmmm, Blackies as long as the donut shop is there.
GC: Pipes. Immaculate vibes.
What does a perfect day look like to you?
GN: Any beach day that has friends, family & food. As friends get older and our lives get jam packed with itineraries, simplicity is starting to feel like perfection.
GC: Trail run at sunrise, coffee and breakfast with the homies, midday surf and beach hangs, musical jam sesh at night. A double-double somewhere in there, too.
Do you have a favorite board in your quiver right now?
GN: I’ve been stuck on this twinzer that should be out soon. It has been a barrel magnet the last couple swells.
GC: S’eagle by Troy Elmore.
Grant, you put a pin tail on your Combo model - I have to ask, what’s your deciding factor between riding a squash tail log or a pin tail? Are there certain feelings you're looking for or particular waves that you feel work better for either design attribute?
GN: Honestly, I just needed a change up from what i was riding. I’ve been riding thumb/square tails as long as I could remember but it was time for some new feelings.
With the pin, the goal was to have more hold in bigger surf.
Garry, how long have you been riding for Elmore?
GC: It’s been about 6 years now. Time flies.
Do you have a favorite model from Troy during your tenure of surfing his designs?
GC: The Uncle Al and the S’eagle have been my all-time favorites. It was so cool testing out the iterations of what became the Uncle Al and riding it exclusively for a year after its final revisions. As of late, however, I’ve been having so much fun on the S’eagle. It makes me rethink logging and surf however the wave tells me to, allowing for a much more primal, fast, and fun ride.
Grant, are you trying to acquire Garry to the Grant Noble Surfboards team?
GN: He’s more than welcome to try some stuff but I’m not trying to ruin any relationships between people and their shapers. No weird vibes.
What’s the kookiest thing that you’ve seen recently?
GN: Selfie videos on instagram complaining about things
GC: About a month ago, I saw someone who had a confederate flag lamination on the bottom of their tandem surfboard.
Are you looking forward to Summer in Newport or dreading it?
GN: Summer in Newport is a double edged sword, I’m looking forward for the South swells & warm water but dreading the people, parking, & trash on the beach.
GC: Won’t be dreading it as much as the Sano line.
What’s on the horizon for you?
GN: I’ve got a little video part on the horizon that i’m super excited about, New models for 2026, & shaping boards to keep me out of working construction ahah.
GC: Looking forward to graduating college, finishing art projects with the homies, and continue progressing on the trail!
Are there any words of wisdom you want to relay to the youths?
GN: Don’t fake it, be genuine.
GC: Embrace imperfection.