From riding the rough waves in the cold country of Canada to the often-smooth waters of North Carolina, professional surfer and Ralph Lauren model, Jesse Hines, loves the excitement of riding on top of the ocean floor.

During an interview with One Cubed USA's Jake Clemons, Jesse said he started surfing at age 9 in his hometown of the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Although he is passionate about the sport, he never expected to make a profession out of it. "I never was like, I want to be a pro, I just want to be able to do this on a board and riding this wave." However at age 19, he was able to turn his hobby into a profession.

He said that his first sponsor was a man named Jim Vaugan from his hometown. And before Lynn Shell became his stepfather he saw Jesse's potential and became his second sponsor.

From his career as a surfer, Jesse was able to purchase property in his hometown. "I was able to buy a piece of land here, so it all happened at the right time, you know," he said.

In addition to entering the world of professional surfing at age 19, Jesse became a model as well. He said that one of his hometown friends, Matt Beacham's modeling agents, saw him one day and invited him to move to California to become one of their clients. They then set him up for some photo shoots with Abercrombie & Fitch and then later with Ralph Lauren, all of which were unexpected surprises. "It's just kind of a fluke thing, it just fell in my lap," Jesse said.

However, in spite of his success in both professions, Jesse has decided to explore other options such as working in the construction business. He said that he enjoys not being limited to surfing. "God did give me the ability to surf, and travel and do things that I have, but I am still a regular guy," Jesse said.

When he is not riding the waves, he works for his friend on a construction site. Jesse said that he hopes to build a house in the future and this experience is giving him the knowledge that he needs to do so.

Regardless of all his success, Jesse's first love is God. He said that he accepted the Lord into his life at age 17, and he feels that God's guidance is important in his life. "God just put a lot of good people in my life, you know, that saw that I had talent for surfing and I have good sponsors," he said. Jesse attributes his success to God and says that he receives strength from his personal relationship with the Lord. "I never thought I could actually do it. So, God just really spoke to me and, he pretty much made it obvious that He made me a surfer for a reason," Jesse said. "If I did not have that relationship or that strength from God, I would never be able to do the things that I've gotten to do."

By Andrea Faith Camp