Jay Munoz was born in Caracas, Venezuela, and emigrated to Miami, Florida, when he was just 10-years-old. He enlisted in the US Marine Corps in 2007 and worked administrative jobs for three years. In 2010, he transferred to become an EOD technician, and deployed with 1st Marine Division to the Helmand Province of Afghanistan in 2012.
As an assistant team leader, Jay controlled the robot specifically designed to detect and dismantle IEDs. The chaotic, 10-month deployment resulted in friends being killed or wounded by bombs.
When Jay returned from his deployment he got into trouble with the law and was arrested. He sought counseling for his anger issues. He struggled with his mental health and searched nature to find healing.
The recreational hiking and other outdoor activities didn’t last because he couldn’t relate to the insight of others who didn’t have similar combat experiences. Until he found One More Wave and surfing.
“I like One More Wave because, for me, the military is the last thing I want to talk about and here it’s just different,” he explained. “Surfing has helped me keep that balance in life.”
Jay explains how being in the water disconnects one's focus from the stresses of work and life. Like his peers, the ocean provides a feeling of peace.
“Surfing helped me because I wasn’t working out at all and you’re out there having fun, living healthy, being cautious of the water,” he said. “Getting into that peace of mind, that in itself is a workout.”
One More Wave provided Jay with a foamy starter board. He spent the evenings after work surfing at La Jolla Shores. As his skill progressed, Jay received his 8-foot custom featuring a white and green color scheme with the EOD badge.
One of the pillars of One More Wave is the community.
“It’s a great community, I participated in events for people who have passed away and we would go out there and do a paddle out and that was life changing for me,” Jay reflected. “It helps me see a bigger picture.”
Story by Matt Fratus.