Spotlight - Kingsley / Portland Surf Co // Jamaica

This next Spotlight takes us to Portland, Jamaica, where we connect with Kingsley, a health professional and founder of the Portland Surf Collective. His passion for surfing, photography, and storytelling drives him to showcase Jamaica's vibrant surf scene. As a dedicated surfer, drone pilot, and photographer, Kingsley balances these passions with his career and being a father. In this interview, we explore his love for the waves and the Boston Bay surf community, and his mission to bring more visibility to Jamaican surfing.

//////////

Q. Can you briefly introduce yourself?

Kingsley - Hey! I’m Kingsley, a surf digital content creator from Portland, Jamaica. I’m also a health professional, so most of my time is spent in that field, but in my free time, my hobbies take over—eventually blossoming into the creation of Portland Surf Collective, my surf content page. I’m also a photographer, surfer, and drone pilot, but my favorite role is definitely “Dad,” as my wife and I welcomed our beautiful baby boy into the world last year.

I’ve lived in Port Antonio most of my life, spending only a couple of years away in Kingston (the nation’s capital) for university and a few months in St. Mary (a neighboring parish) at the start of my career. While I still work there, I chose to move back home because, simply put, there’s no place like Portland. Many have come to realize that, and hopefully, a few of you reading this now will too!

Port Antonio is a coastal town on the northeastern side of Jamaica and the capital of the parish of Portland. Known for its early roots in tourism, incredible food, laid-back vibes, and unspoiled tropical beauty, it’s a truly special place.

Q. What initially sparked your passion for surfing, and how has it evolved into a major part of your life?

Kingsley - Since Port Antonio is right on the north coast, going to the beach was a weekly activity. Back in the day, Folly Beach was the go-to spot (though beach erosion has drastically changed it now). SanShy Beach was another favorite, and if we were up for a trip, our family would head all the way to Winnifred Beach. So getting in the water was second nature.

Funny enough, though, a lot of Jamaicans can’t swim—but that’s a story for another time!

I didn’t know it then, but looking back, I think my passion for surfing started with the late ’90s cartoon Rocket Power. Everyone wanted to be Otto, right?! Rushing home from school to watch it was a highlight. That show introduced me to surfing, skating, and the whole action sports culture. Sadly, as a kid, that was the only exposure I got—a cartoon. I grew up thinking those sports only existed abroad, so I never really considered them for myself. I would later find out how wrong I was, but I’ll get to that soon.

Fast forward to 2016—a year that seems to live in the heart of my generation. I was in my third year of university when I took part in a cultural exchange program that allowed students from tertiary institutions to go abroad, experience other cultures, and work to offset their stay.

I got placed in… you guessed it! Well, maybe you didn’t—but I ended up in Montauk, New York (affectionately called The End).

That summer reignited my childhood dream of skating and surfing. I met lifelong friends, some who were Montauk locals and others from Rincón, Puerto Rico. After work, I’d sometimes chill with Jowey (@jowey_lu) and Seba (@westsoulrebel), who taught me how to skate when we had time. By the end of the summer, I could somewhat help myself—no ollies yet, but I could cruise to IGA for groceries and get back home.

However, there were frequent warnings from Seba to get off the board, along with constant reminders of how far the nearest hospital was!

They were also friends with Darren (@darrenmuschett), and I’d tag along sometimes as they hung out at Terrace. One evening, Darren found out I was from Jamaica and excitedly told me that he had an uncle from Jamaica too—none other than Terrence Muschett, who was involved in Jamaica’s surf culture in the ’60s, particularly in Boston Bay, Portland.

By then, I knew there were surfers in Jamaica, and I’d seen guys street-skating in Kingston, especially around Papine Park. Social media had also made it clear that Jamaica had an entire surf culture, complete with an association, competitions, and a surf camp.

But somehow, I was still naive to the fact that Boston Bay had a thriving surf community.

It took traveling almost 2,000 miles for me to realize that surfing had existed in the very parish I grew up in!

I can’t blame myself, though—I can only blame my parents, who completely ruled out Boston Beach when I was a kid. “It too ruff!” (It’s too rough!) was always the excuse. My dad worked close to that part of Portland for a while, and we often visited family friends there, but no one ever mentioned surfing!

When my time in NY ended, I returned to Jamaica, finished school in 2017, and then took a short vacation back to Montauk. That time, I finally got in the water. The bros gave me lessons, but there wasn’t enough time to truly learn—or maybe I just really sucked. I’ll go with both.

But the hunger for it was definitely there now.

Since then, I’ve fully immersed myself in Boston Bay’s surf community, getting tips and guidance as I learned. I made it a point to go out every weekend to improve, and I believe that dedication has paid off.

I’d call myself a struggling intermediate surfer now—but for someone who only gets out on weekends and holidays, I think I’m doing pretty well!

Surfing has a way of taking over your life. If you can push through the sore arms, the poundings, and the overall exhaustion to actually learn, it inevitably becomes a major part of you.

I prioritize my professional life to support my family and fund my passions, but if I ever found a stable, financially viable way to surf more… you bet I’d take it in a heartbeat.

Q. What got you into photography and what is it about the ocean and surfing that you enjoy capturing?

Kingsley - Ah, photography—what can I say? I come from a very artistic family. My grandpa sculpted wooden utensils, my dad draws, my mom sews, and my sister paints, plays the guitar, and draws. I also draw, play guitar, dabble in painting, and had a little stint in digital art.

Photography, though, became a thing for me in 2016 (see what I mean about that year?). I bought an HTC smartphone with a pro camera feature, which allowed me to experiment with manual settings. I started with close-up shots of flowers and landscapes.

Four years ago, I bought my first digital camera and challenged myself to start an on-location photography business as a side hustle. That worked for a while, but then I wondered—could I bring that over to surfing?

Being in the ocean is therapeutic, and witnessing its different moods is a blessing. Through photography, I get to capture those moments—how the waves move, how each surfer expresses their skill and emotions on the water.

Q. What motivated you to create Portland Surf Co., and what are your aspirations for showcasing the surfing community and culture of Jamaica through this platform?

Kingsley - Portland Surf Co. my other baby.

When you enter the surf community, you not only meet other surfers but also come across people who are connected to surf culture in various ways. Two of my biggest inspirations in surf photography were Donald (@donalddelahaye) and Danielle (@DanielleMyers). Both are accomplished photographers based in Kingston, but they also have an extensive catalog relating to surf photography. They’re closely connected with the surfers in Bull Bay, St. Andrew, and I absolutely fell in love with their work.

There’s a standard approach to surf photography—point and shoot—which, when done well, can still capture great moments. But then there's a whole other level where artistic expression takes over. It’s in the composition, the lighting, the colors, and the emotion behind each shot. Donald and Danielle truly embodied that for me on a local level. I used to joke with them, saying, “When are y’all coming to Portland? We need some of those sick shots over here too!”

As time passed, I thought to myself—well, I have a camera, I love surfing, and I love photography. Why not create an Instagram page for it? Around that time, I was also inspired by @littlecopasurf, a page that showcased surf media from Jamaica and the Caribbean.

So, I made the account… and then sat on it for about four months. I didn’t take a single photo or make a post. To this day, I’m not sure why I hesitated. But eventually, I took the leap and committed to it, even though it meant sacrificing some of my own surf time.

My goal for the page was simple: I wanted surfers in Portland to see themselves in action more often. I had always wished I could, so I figured others probably felt the same way. I also wanted to highlight the fact that surfing thrives in Portland—something I hadn’t even realized for much of my own life. And finally, I hoped that by increasing visibility, more Jamaicans would take an interest in the sport and its culture.

Q. How does being in or around the ocean whether it’s surfing or taking photos affect your mood and contribute to your overall well-being?

Kingsley - The ocean has a way of quieting your problems and bringing you into the present moment. (Cue Akae Beka – "Only Now.") Paired with crystal-clear blue waters and endless azure skies, I’m sure you can picture exactly what I mean. Watching others experience that same vybe and having fun out there adds another layer of joy.

Q. Can you describe the surf community in Jamaica, particularly at your local break, and what makes it unique?

Kingsley - Jamaica, in general, has this warm, welcoming vibe, and the same is true within the surf community. I can’t speak in great detail about its history since I’m still relatively new to it, but my local break is Boston Beach, about 25 minutes from where I live. There are a few spots even closer, but the heart of Portland’s surf scene thrives in Boston Bay.

Being out in the water—catching up with other surfers, taking photos, and just sharing waves—you get to see how genuine the interactions are. Everyone is there to share in the fun. I’ve seen the ongoing debates about localism on social media, and I can say with confidence that Jamaica leans toward the “Let’s have a good time” side of things. It’s all about sharing waves, hyping each other up—"That was a sick one!"—but at the same time, there’s an unspoken respect for surf etiquette. Nobody’s overly fussy about it, but the rules exist to keep everyone safe and make sure every session is as enjoyable as possible.

Q. How has the ocean, surfing, and photography shaped your community?

Kingsley - To me, the ocean is the biggest driving force of the three within the community. It’s both a source of livelihood and a space for leisure, supporting everything from fishing to various tourism activities—all of which are built around the incredible, world-renowned waters we’re fortunate to have.

While surfing is still a subculture within the larger Jamaican landscape, I believe it instills valuable life skills like perseverance, patience, and dedication in those who take part. It’s one of Portland’s many “hidden gems,” a discovery that excites visitors when they stumble upon it. And with each new generation, the flame continues to burn, ensuring that the surf culture here stays alive and thriving.

As for photography’s role in all of this—honestly, I have no idea. I’m laughing as I write this because I genuinely can’t say how much of an impact it has had. But I do hope it helps draw more attention to the sport, gets more surfers in the water, and allows others to use it as a form of creative expression.

Q. What advice would you give to someone who is interested in experiencing the surf culture of Jamaica, and what unique aspects should they be aware of when surfing in that region?

Kingsley - Advice? The best advice is  to find yourself in Portland, the best Parish in Jamaica, No debate people. Come on. Surfers, non- surfers it doesn't matter just get here and you’ll see what I'm saying. But if you're a surfer or an aspiring one then here is some additional info for you, you can get lessons and board rentals from different locals by the beach in Boston Bay, there’s a shack there and guys that are willing to help you out.  You can also hit me up to get media coverage of your session via my  website https://portlandsurfco.mypixieset.com/ or a quick Dm on Instagram @Portlandsurfco.

If you're on the south coast you can stop by Jamnesia Surf Camp in Bull Bay as well, home of the Legend Billy Wilmot and they'll get you going with all things surf too.

We generally have waves all year round but the most consistent action rolls  in with the North East Trades. That gives us a nice window from December - March thereabout. Come with good vibes and energy. Jamaicans will definitely show you a great time and are super welcoming in and out of the water- Counter to the typical surfing pop culture we often see in other popular surf destinations. A little respect will go a long way here, ONE LOVE guys.