Growing up on the shores of Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, Mason Hyce Barnes took his first waves perched on the nose of his father’s longboard at just two years old, laying the groundwork for a lifelong bond with the ocean. Now rooted in Los Angeles, California, Barnes has turned a childhood passion into a full-throttle career, carving his place among the elite surfers of today. But his story is more than just a love letter to surfing. It’s a journey about personal transformation, discipline, conquering fears, and finding fulfillment. Surfing isn’t just something he does—it’s part of his DNA. Or, in the words of Mason Barnes himself, “Surfing is my obsession, my life, and my purpose. It will direct my life until the day I die.” Now, with a toe dipped in fashion and a style as effortless as his cutbacks, he’s carving out his own lane—on and off the board.

VMAN: What are some of your earliest memories of surfing? Who taught you how to surf?

MASON HYCE BARNES: It started when I was around two years old. We lived at the beach, and my dad would put me on the nose of his longboard and ride waves together. It has been a part of my life since I was born, I’ve always been surrounded by it. My earliest memories [are of] certain waves that played major roles in my growth as a surfer. Landing an air [move] that I watched my idols do on TV, pushing myself in bigger waves, feeling that sense of accomplishment, and conquering my fear for the first time are moments that shaped who I am as a person and think back to when I talk about my childhood.

VMAN: Having been a surfer for many years, could you walk us through what a typical day in your life looks like?

MHB: Surfing is all I have ever done, and I am more in love with it than I have ever been. A thousand percent of my time revolves around surfing and the ocean. I start every day by looking at the ocean—even if I’m not surfing, I just have to lay eyes on it to feel the energy of what it has given me. If the waves are good, I will stay in the water from sunup to sundown, and if there are no waves, I’ll find ways to better myself as an athlete outside the water. I train in the gym five days a week, sauna, recover, eat healthy, and enjoy several coffees in between. Whether it’s a full day of training or surfing, I’m usually extremely exhausted and find myself in bed before ten o’clock every night. I’m at a point in my life where I want to be the best surfer I can be, and to do that I have to stay disciplined and take every day very seriously.

VMAN: Is there a specific workout routine that you do to keep up your stamina to surf?

MHB: I’ve been working with Dan Duffy in Wilmington, North Carolina for almost 15 years now. He has me in the best shape I have ever been in my entire life. I’m in the gym every day of the week and I always leave feeling like I’m pushing my potential to the next level. A lot of the workouts are very cardio-based and involve putting my body through high amounts of stress so that when I’m in those life-or-death situations, my body doesn’t panic, and I can stay relaxed and in the moment. Surfing is at such an elite level now, and to be in that top one percent you have to train like it. He pushes my limits and I feel like it plays a major role in everything I have accomplished in the water. 

VMAN: Do you remember the first time you ever picked up a board? What do you remember most about that first day?

MHB: Before I could walk, I would lay on my dad’s boards in the living room and act as if I was surfing. This was way before I could remember anything. They have always been in and around my life, and they always will be.

VMAN: What were some of your thoughts and emotions about the first few times you nailed your first big waves? Do you carry the mindset of trying to top yourself and always strive for your biggest wave?

MHB: Surfing has shaped who I am as a person and is responsible for every sense of accomplishment I have ever felt. My first career-changing wave was in Nazaré, Portugal, and that was the first time I had ever broken down into tears of joy. Minutes later, I was on the jet ski by myself outside of the waves and felt a sense of emotion that I had never felt before. I uncontrollably broke down in tears and couldn’t stop for over 20 minutes. That moment changed who I was as a person, and it made me realize that these crazy dreams were my purpose. It opened a door for confidence that led to where I am today. I constantly want to better myself, and it is hard to picture myself feeling that sense of contentment and throwing in the towel. I want to break all the records—and then break them again.

VMAN: What are some of the differences you noticed within the surfing community from Nazare to North Carolina and other surf spots you frequent? 

MHB: The unique thing about surfing is that it creates a sense of community everywhere you go. The reason I have a special connection with Nazaré is that it feels right at home. The people always welcome me with open arms, and walking up to check the cliff in Nazaré feels no different than checking the waves at my home break in North Carolina. The people always treat me like family, and even after long periods, I always feel the comfort of my own home.

VMAN: If you had to pick one, what would you say is your favorite surf spot worldwide?

MHB: The north shore of O‘ahu [in Hawaii] is my favorite place in the world. The raw beauty, the incredible waves, and the local community are unlike anywhere on the planet. 

VMAN: How does the energy of these surf towns and the communities they inform motivate you to keep going as an athlete and keep the love of surfing alive?

MHB: The love and support we have as surfers in places all over the planet is special, but it will never be the reason behind why I do what I do. Surfing has become a part of my DNA. It doesn’t matter where I am, who I’m with, or how the waves are—I simply love it because of the connection I have with the ocean and everything it has given me. Outside of it being my job, surfing is my obsession, my life, and my purpose. It will direct my life until the day I die.

VMAN: More recently, you’ve been tapping into the world of fashion. What excites you most about seeing surfers and athletes overall entering this space and tapping into another facet of what they can do?

MHB: The world of fashion has brought me to cities that I would have never seen and people that I would have never met. Surfing is generally not put in the same space as soccer, football, basketball, or F1, but fashion has indirectly brought us all together. It’s great for the sport because it puts us at the same caliber as these global athletes, and that has never been done in the past. It’s always extremely gratifying when speaking with these masters of their craft and seeing how much they appreciate and admire what I do. 

VMAN: How would you define your style? Any style essentials that have become go-to when pulling together a look for day-to-day?

MHB: My style is a healthy blend of the exact life I live. A touch of the laid-back beach lifestyle, complemented by elegant pieces made by the brands I work with within the fashion industry. Day to day, you will find me in board shorts, flip flops, and my favorite Loewe hoodie, a nice blend of luxury and comfort.

This story appears in the pages of VMAN 54: now available for purchase!

Talent Mason Hyce Barnes 

Photography Max Tardio

Fashion Liv Vitale

Creative Director / Editor-in-Chief Stephen Gan

Editor Kevin Ponce

Creative Consultant Finlay Mangan

Photo Assistant Taj Carver