Professional surfer Justin Quintal has won many awards throughout his career but is now making waves in the cannabis industry, becoming the first professional surfer to be sponsored by a cannabis company when he signed a brand partnership deal with Sunburn Cannabis. In a recent interview with Forbes, Quintal discussed how cannabis use has had a positive effect on his career as a professional athlete for both his physical and mental health.
Quintal said his experiences with cannabis while he was trying to balance graduating from college and a professional surfing career, saying it “helped me reset and move from one thing to the next relatively seamlessly.” Quintal was able to see the therapeutic effects of cannabis firsthand when his father was diagnosed with cancer and with cannabis was able to use only a fraction of the opiates prescribed to him and was able to stop using them earlier than prescribed. As for his current habits, Quintal said he has a “methodical approach” to using cannabis products that help with both recovery and rest. His evening routine focuses on relaxing and he said he will take an edible or his favorite indica strain to unwind.
“I primarily incorporate it into my recovery routine to promote physical relief, relaxation and a more restful sleep after a long day of surfing or an intense strength training workout,” said Quintal. “Depending on the overall conditions and the type of surf experience I am trying to have, I also enjoy using specific strains and products before entering the water, typically a sativa or sativa leaning hybrid. This doesn’t mean I partake every time before surfing, but I do think there are times where it is complementary and helps me get out of my head and into my body and the moment.”
In April, Quintal and Florida-based cannabis operator Sunburn Cannabis announced a brand partnership in an effort to break boundaries and remove the negative stigma surrounding cannabis use. Quintal aims to use the platform to empower individuals to make more informed decisions about their cannabis use.
“As a Florida native, I am thrilled to join with Sunburn as they reimagine the state’s cannabis culture,” said Quintal at the time. “Surfing, like cannabis, brings together a diverse collection of forward-thinking individuals looking to push boundaries and create a brighter future. By joining Sunburn in their mission, I hope to push the surfing community and beyond to come together to normalize cannabis use and challenge stigmas surrounding the plant.”
A recent survey published by researchers from Kent State University aimed to determine if individuals were using CBD or THC products as a way to recover from exercise. The researchers concluded that individuals who exercise and use cannabis habitually tend to believe cannabis does play a role in recovery and that more data is needed to ascertain the role of cannabis in exercise recovery in addition to the perceived benefits of cannabis of those who claim it is helpful.
“Eighty-five percent of participants reported participating in aerobic training. In addition, 85% of participants also reported regular participation in resistance exercise. Seventy-two percent of participants participated in both aerobic and resistance exercise. Ninety-three percent of participants felt that CBD use assisted them with recovery from exercise, while 87% of participants felt the same regarding THC use,” said the researchers.
Quintal offered advice to athletes who are potentially looking at cannabis for its various benefits, recommending they start with low doses and to seek advice from medical professionals.
“Attitudes surrounding cannabis use amongst athletes and in major professional sports leagues are changing,” said Quintal. “I envision a future where policies in professional surfing leagues evolve to recognize the nuanced role of cannabis. It’s time our regulations reflect the changing perceptions and the integral role of cannabis in our culture and wellbeing.”
