Matt Pruett
Matt Pruett’s first job in surf media was at Eastern Surf Magazine working as an editorial intern for co-founders and legendary surf photographers Tom Dugan and Dick “Mez” Meseroll, and editor Matt Walker. Pruett made a strong impression and in short time was grinding out the most core East Coast content ever published in the magazine. When Walker moved to the Outer Banks and continued as roving editor and freelance surf writer, it left editor duties at ESM to the now seasoned Pruett, who would soon put his own stamp on the magazine.
Every aspect of East Coast surfing in the water and on the beach was covered each issue of ESM, most carrying Pruett’s byline. However, the print magazine world was changing as online was the new frontier and the future. Like Walker, Pruett moved to the wave rich Outer Banks and charted a new course as an editor for Surfline, then the leading online surf media in the world.
Pruett handled the chores for Surfline covering important East Coast swells, surf trips regionally and around the world, contests, and individual performances. He was dedicated to ensuring that East Coast surfers and East Coast waves were featured in Surfline, which had a bent towards West Coast coverage since inception.
Pruett’s words shaped generations of East Coast surfers, and he is far from done. He has authored three books, “First Peak Project,” “Wavescapes: Portrait of the Planet’s Best Surf Spots,” and “Surfing / North of Nowhere.” In his down time, he surfs every swell and continues to pump out East Coast surf related content for websites, videos and tv. Anyone who surfs the East Coast has likely read Matt Pruett’s work.
Pruett has used his voice in support of East Coast surfing. “Right Coast all the time” credentials belong to Pruett as he continues to use his words to push and inspire East Coast surfing and surfers.
Photos by Donald Cresitello, Tom Dugan, Freesurf Magazine, Ryan Gamma, Matt Lusk, Mickey McCarthy, Dick “Mez” Meseroll, Daniel Pullen, Robert Siliato, and courtesy Matt Pruett
Video contributions by Bob Bolen, Michael Baytoff, Richard Bernardi, Bruce Chrisner, Jon Coen, Eastern Surf Magazine, Donald Cresitello, Tom Dugan, Vdon Farias, Ryan Gamma, Norm Grosskruetz, Ray Hallgreen, Carlos Hernandez, Pete Hodgson, Darrell Jones, Jon Ker, Nicola Lugo, Matt Lusk, Kem McNair, Dick “Mez” Meseroll, Eric Olsen, Larry Pope, Tony Prince, Dan Przygocki, Barry Schulz, Joanne O’Shaughnessy, Jon Steele, Mike Vuocolo, and Chris Wilson.
