ABOUT DARYN MCBRIDE
Artist Profile
Daryn McBride is a 53-year-old New Zealand artist whose work is deeply inspired by the beauty, power, and ever-changing nature of the coastal environment. A lifelong passion for surfing has given him a unique connection to the ocean and a deep appreciation for the relationship between people and the sea. These experiences shape his artistic vision, influencing the colour, texture, movement, and emotion within his work.
Daryn’s multidisciplinary practice encompasses original acrylic and mixed-media paintings, sculpture, photography, illustration, digital art, and bold statement works. Drawing inspiration from the ocean, surfing, travel, and New Zealand’s natural environment, his work combines bold colour and flowing forms with native vegetation and organic compositions to capture the spirit and energy of nature.
His extensive exploration of New Zealand’s coastlines and landscapes, combined with his roots as a surfer, gives his work an authentic, soulful quality and a distinctly New Zealand perspective. Daryn’s original artworks have been exhibited in galleries nationally and internationally, with photography, illustration, and surfboards often incorporated into his exhibitions.
Daryn is also committed to giving back, regularly donating artwork and creative support to environmental and humanitarian initiatives through nonprofit partnerships, exhibitions, and commercial projects.
Daryn’s Surfing History
Daryn is a 53 year old former professional longboard surfer, known for his traditional approach, and noseriding skills. he has always enjoyed riding boards of all sizes shapes and styles, with over 100 contest victories in events in all sorts of conditions throughout New Zealand and Australia. He’s held multiple nz national titles, beaten world champions, been ranked as high as 9th in the world. In 2024 Daryn surfed in his last pro level international competition in which he placed equal 7th along side 2025 World Longboard Champion Kai Ellis Flint.
Daryn is regarded as one of New Zealand’s best longboard shapers, he has over 35 years of experience within the surfboard industry, and spent many years competing on boards he built himself under the label F.E.E.T Surfboards, Feet being the acronym for Forget Everything Enjoy Today. Living in Noosa Heads, utilising the perfect points and hollow beach breaks to fine tune his unique traditional style boards.
Daryn is a strong believer in riding the right board for the conditions on offer. In 2004 he wrote an article explaining his theory of a 4 Board Quiver ranging from 5’6” to 9’8”.
The article went on to be published in multiple surf magazines, from as far away as Germany.
In 2014 Daryn was invited to the Deus Temple of Enthusiasm in Canggu Bali. The invite was for him to be one of an international field of longboard surfers to compete in the highly respected Deus 9ft & Single longboard contest, followed by an artist residency at the Deus Temple, an exhibition in the temple gallery, and a stint in the temple shaping bay where he shaped 10 of his popular Utopia model Longboards and a custom 6’8” Channel bottom single fin under the colab label, Daryn Mcbride for Deus. The list of shapers to have worked in the shaping bay at the Temple is short, and prestigious, and for Daryn it was the highlight of his creative career.
MOVEMBER AMBASADOR
A short film produced giving an insight into Daryn’s history with regard to his mental health.
Find-out where he’s come from to get to where he is today.