Zeke 2.0

Wave Pools & Full Send Mode

Zeke Szekely’s story isn’t your typical surf story. He’s been to jail. He’s been to rehab. He won a national competition while wearing a court-mandated ankle bracelet — after nearly two years out of competition. He’s thrown some of the wildest airs ever seen, in both wave pools and the ocean, with a fearless style that reflects his personality: bold, unpredictable, and unapologetically real.

Zeke first made waves in La Jolla, where his explosive surf style and chaotic energy — both online and in the lineup — quickly turned heads. Natural talent on a board, raw flair, and a don’t-hold-back attitude made him a standout in local contests and video edits. Sponsors came calling. So did the spotlight.

Photo By: Devon Duke

“I was young, had money, and no idea how to deal with it,” he says. “Partying took over. Drugs, alcohol, just chaos. I was making a lot of bad decisions — and I paid for them.”

Eventually, the lifestyle caught up to him. Legal trouble led to a year in county jail, followed by rehab. It was rock bottom — but also the start of a comeback.

Not long after his release, Zeke shocked the surf world. He entered a national contest wearing a court-ordered ankle bracelet — and won. That victory marked the beginning of Zeke 2.0: sober, focused, and back with a vengeance. And he got a second chance.

Soon after, he did a full send by showing up to the wave pool in Waco, Texas, where his friend Jake Marshall and a crew of pros were training, including Caity Simmers, Kelly Slater and Josh Kerr. Zeke jumped in and lit the place up, sticking massive airs and proving that his fire never died — it just needed a reset. Since then, Zeke has become one of the most recognizable faces in the wave pool world — not because he plays by the rules, but because he breaks them in the most entertaining ways possible.

Lorenzo, Zeke & Elaine of Local Break Magazine at Best Pizza & Brew Encinitas

“Wave pools saved me,” Zeke says. “They gave me structure, repetition, something to focus on. It was like skating a perfect park — I could try wild stuff over and over until I landed it. And it brought the joy back to surfing.”

Now seven years sober, Zeke has rebuilt his life — and his identity — on his own terms. He’s become one of the most entertaining and fearless figures in wave pool surfing, while still making noise in traditional contests.

At last years SLO CAL Open in Pismo Beach, Zeke pulled off two unforgettable moments. First, he paddled out on a soft-top — in a QS shortboard heat — and won. Then, he made history with the first-ever board transfer mid-wave during a professional heat. Though the wave wasn’t scored (due to rules against using two boards at once), the move drew cheers from the crowd and reminded everyone why Zeke remains one of the sport’s most electric personalities.

For Zeke, it was never just about scores. It’s about pushing boundaries and bringing something fresh to the competitive scene.

Now, whether he’s launching into a massive air or inspiring the next generation of surfers, Zeke Szekely is all in — wild, raw, creative, and real. Call it a comeback, call it a rebrand — whatever it is, it’s 100% Zeke.

Instagram: @zeke_