Ross Clarke-Jones Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday

Riding Giants: The Story of Ross Clarke-Jones

Born on June 6, 1966, Ross Clarke-Jones has carved a legendary path through the perilous world of big-wave surfing. His birthday — June 6 — is more than a date: for Clarke-Jones, it’s a symbolic anchor tying together decades of grit, fame, and fearless pursuit of the next monster swell. 

From Humble Beginnings in Terrigal to Ocean Legend

Clarke-Jones grew up in Terrigal, on the Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia — a coastal town where the surf culture runs deep.  He was drawn to the sea from a young age. Known also by his nicknames “RCJ” and “Dark Bones,” Clarke-Jones embraced the challenge of waves that ordinary surfers wouldn’t dare approach.

What set him apart wasn’t just his skill — it was his fearlessness. With a tow-partner, Tony Ray, Clarke-Jones chased some of the largest waves ever attempted, including a momentous session on January 28, 1998, at “Outside Log Cabins” on Oahu’s north shore, where wave faces ranged between 50 and 80 feet. 

Breaking Barriers: First Non-Hawaiian to Claim the Quiksilver Eddie Aikau Big Wave Contest

Clarke-Jones’s willingness to challenge the ocean’s extremes paid off in a historic triumph: in 2000/2001, he became the first non-Hawaiian to win the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Contest at Waimea Bay — a feat that cemented his status among surfing royalty. 

Over the years, he has surfed treacherous breaks around the world: from Shipstern’s Bluff and Cow Bombie to Pedra Branca — proving time and again that his hunger for danger, adrenaline, and survival makes him a legend in his own right. 

Beyond Surfboards: Art, Film, and a Life of Adventure

Clarke-Jones’s surf life transcended competition. In 2006, he starred in the documentary The Sixth Element — a cinematic deep dive into the spiritual and physical dimensions of big-wave surfing.

He also featured in the high-profile film Storm Surfers 3D (2012), which chronicled tow-in rides in some of the world’s most dangerous seas, including the infamous breaks of Cow Bombie, Shipstern Bluff, and other remote Southern Ocean coastlines. The film pushed surf cinematography further, giving global audiences a front-row seat to the thrill and the terror of big waves.

For Clarke-Jones, surfing wasn’t just a sport — it was a full-bodied lifestyle. As he once reflected in a candid interview, after surviving a near-disastrous session that left him battered off the coast of Portugal, he likened big-wave riding to entering a “death zone,” acknowledging that every wave could be the one that truly tests a person’s limits. 

What He’s Worth: The Financial Side of a Surfing Titan

According to public-domain estimates, Ross Clarke-Jones’s net worth is around US$2 million.

This wealth stems from a blend of prize money, film appearances, sponsorships, and the unique brand that comes with being one of the most recognized names in big-wave surfing. While $2 million might seem modest compared to mainstream sports stars, in the world of extreme surfing — where fame rarely translates into sustained commercial fortune — it underscores both his legacy and the niche nature of the discipline.

The Private Life: What We Know (and What Remains Hidden)

Despite his public profile, Clarke-Jones is guarded about his personal life. Reliable sources note that details about his relationships, spouse or partner — and children — remain either unconfirmed or undisclosed. 

He seems to prefer letting his surf résumé speak louder than personal headlines, redirecting public focus toward waves, risk, resilience, and the raw presence he commands in the water.

Legacy, Risk, and the Eternal Call of the Sea

Ross Clarke-Jones’s life is a portrait of what it means to chase passion beyond comfort zones. From a kid surfing the hidden breaks of Terrigal to a global big-wave icon, his biography reads like a myth — full of danger, triumph, setbacks, and an unquenchable thirst for the next swell.

Through films, waves conquered, and headlines he never chased, Clarke-Jones remains a symbol of enduring courage. His birthday — June 6 — marks the birth of a man who refused to settle, and whose legacy continues to inspire surfers and dreamers to seek bigger horizons.