Graeme Rae
Chief Scientist
Surfline
Huntington Beach, CA USA
“Maybe you just haven't figured out which little road you're going to take. But I don't think it matters which one you take, honestly, because they'll all end up being the right one.”
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By Roadtrip NationGraeme Rae
Milestones
My road in life has been direct.
Originally grew up wanting to join the Navy, but found out he was color blind at age 16.
Still had an interest in ships and the ocean, so went to school to study shipbuilding and naval architecture.
The Navy hired him to develop a specific set of maps to predict wave height; his students started using it for surfing purposes.
He developed his maps into a website he ran on the side; finally, a company invited him out to California to officially jump into the surf world.
Was nervous that he might be "wasting" his Ph.D. on "a bunch of guys who just hang out on the beach all day long."
Says his work is as technologically advanced as what he'd do anywhere else, better than government agency models.
Might've made more money working for the Navy, but would've worked in weapons technology; instead, his work puts smiles on people's faces.
Says he enjoys his work at Surfline so much that it doesn't feel like a career; he still feels like he's "waiting to grow up."
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
Career
Chief Scientist
I design the software responsible for all wave and wind modeling at Surfline.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Action Sports
Technology
Problem Solving
Interviewed By
Breaking Out of the Comfort Zone
A new team of Roadtrippers embarks on a cross-country Roadtrip to interview innovative leaders about their roads in life. Starting their 7-week journey in Southern California, the team interviews Dr. Graeme Rae, the Chief Scientist for Surfline.com.
