Name: Mark Bailey, Sr. D.O.B.: January 12, 1962
Hometown: St Augustine, Fla
Occupation: President, The Bailey Group
Sponsors: Me, Myself, and I – but I’m looking for any who are interested in sponsoring seniors.
Years Surfing: 55 years They Call Me: B-Man My Board: 6’0 Black Baron Twin Board, my favorite
When I’m not surfing, I’m: in the Board Room working with nonprofits in the community or in the gym trying to make sure I can still surf at 60.
My Typical Day: Starts with a barrage of emails and texts regarding work or friends and family reaching out for various reasons, check in with the kids, and if the waves aren’t good, I’m hitting up the gym.
My Dream Day: Sitting in the lineup at Cloudbreak, chasing that stand-up tube, with my beautiful lady in her bikini in the boat on the edge of the reef ready to cheer me on.
Dream Job: Exactly what I do.
Favorite Surfing Memory: Sitting next to Shane Dorian at Cloudbreak on a solid 10’ Hawaiian southwest swell and having a set come in and hit the ledge – first day we were there – and I looked at him and asked, “Are you going?” and he said, “No that’s all you.” And I dropped in and made it.
The best thing about me: Eternally optimistic, generous to a fault, and love people and every living creature.
If I could pick one place to surf it would be: Snugged up right on the southside of the St. Augustine Beach Pier with my buddies. If I could be any animal, I’d be: Porpoise
Choice of Drink: Zacapa Rum
Favorite meal: Alecia’s spaghetti or Datil Chicken Tacos from Nalu’s
Favorite Hangout Spot: St. Augustine Fish Camp
If you could have any super powers? Turn back time.
I never go anywhere without: Cash.
In ten years, I: Want to be surfing better than I can today, and I’d like to have a 12 handicap, and I’d like to still be married to Alecia.
Life Influences: My dad.
How long have you been on the team? In my mind I’ve been on the team since my good friend Tory opened the shop.
Advice for other surfers: I have several: be humble and kind in the lineup, mentor the groms, travel the world in search of waves as much as you can, and never take off on the first couple of set waves at Cloudbreak.
Tavarua 2022 from The Bailey Group on Vimeo.
Surf Station team rider and shop friend Mark Bailey recently took his family to Fiji and had quite the time. From Mark:
One of our favorite destinations in the world to chase surf is Tavarua Island in Fiji, but most important, we have come to love the locals and the staff. Fiji’s borders were closed for two years amid the Covid crisis and reopened December 2021. This year Alecia and I were fortunate to be a second group on the island following the opening, along with our three girls Cassidy, Caroline and Peyton, son Brooks, and his girlfriend, Macy. The travel to Tavarua is long: planes, buses and boats – over a 24 hour period. But the logistics are well worth it. The experience there is incredible. When the world can be so chaotic, being on the island feels worlds away. It’s a such a quiet and serene place, you forget about the rest of your worries. But aside from the world-class surf, it’s the locals on the island, as well as the other guests, that make this journey such a special experience. The people on the island are so kind and peaceful, and their hospitality goes beyond just “tourism.” They truly welcome their visitors onto the island to share in their culture and traditions.
Once again we were blessed with amazing surf, as shown in just a few of the pictures here. But what was most rewarding, particularly, was to be able to come back to the island after the island being closed for two years, and the country shut down, to reunite with our Fijian family. We delivered kids clothes, books, medical supplies and anything we could do to support them financially. It has really been difficult on them. Unfortunately, one of our best friends on the island who we’ve come to love over our two decades visiting, Sakeo Koroi, tragically passed away while checking on the Giant Clams they are cultivating on the reef surrounding the main island. He was one of those individuals that would light up your heart as soon as you saw his smile. He really did exhibit the huge love of the Fijian culture: welcoming and happy people, who love their country.
We were also very lucky to be on the island with Sean Murphy, who is the President of Waterways Travel. From their website, “about 15 miles southwest of Nadi, Tavarua is a 24 acre heart shaped island. [The] Island faces south by southwest into the South Pacific and is perfectly positioned to catch all swells coming up from the Southern Ocean. [The resort] comfortably accommodates 36 adults in 16 private bures. They are beautifully made in a traditional island style that is still thoroughly modern in comfort.” I would recommend to anyone that hasn’t been there that wants to surf two of the best waves of the world (Cloudbreak and Restaurants), to make the effort. If it’s a family affair, Kiddie Land and Pools are two other great spots. I wish I would have made the trek sooner in my life, but the proper beatings you receive at Cloudbreak are enough motivation to keep you motivated to be mentally and physically ready for the next trip.