Just one of two dream jobs. Blake Mcdonald, pitted and getting paid. Photo: John Barton
It started with a love for surfing, a few goals and some hard yards. A few years later, Blake Mcdonald is living the dream. Well, technically, he’s living two dreams.
He’s a part time international DJ and part time tour guide in surfing’s own Disneyland, the Mentawai Islands. To top it all off, home is the beautiful town of Margaret River.
“The ride where you’re going is the best bit,” says Blake of his trajectory from backyard parties and industry gigs to tonight’s venue in Thailand. “That’s the part you have to make sure you enjoy the most.”
Blake decided at an early age to plot a course that would deliver endless barrels, good vibes and everything in between. “It started with a little goal board,’’ he tells me. “I was afraid people would laugh at it, but within 12 months, I’d pretty much crossed every goal off the list and had to start a new one because I wanted it so bad.”
Which leads to the current schedule, neatly divided between the heaving barrels of Margaret River, thumping summer music festivals and the endless perfection of Indonesia.
“At this stage, I’m DJing (under the name Boston Switch) in Australia throughout the summer and spending the majority of winter at Pitstop Hill in the Mentawai Islands showing visitors where to surf and working with professional photographer, John Barton,” says Blake.
“After a summer on the DJ circuit, spending time in the jungle surfing every day is almost the perfect detox.”
And if that schedule is not enough, Blake’s taken it upon himself to foster next generation of DJs by offering a spot on his next tour of his home state of WA.
“When I was a young DJ, I was always eager to learn and always on the lookout for guidance, so I feel obligated to offer that opportunity to other DJs on the way up,” he says. “I have a massive tour coming up and I’ll be booking young DJs as supporting acts. It’s going to be an amazing opportunity to come home to.”
And wedged between these dream jobs, Blake’s also taken the time to raise funds for the Disabled Surfer’s Association (DSA) by auctioning off a Boston Switch signature model surfboard at Margaret River coffee house, Sugar Man. “I’ll never forget the first DSA event I went to,” says Blake. “There was such a positive vibe with incredible people sharing something they love with really beautiful people who may never have had the opportunity to experience surfing. It’s the most rewarding experience.”
Of course, such opportunities haven’t just fallen in the keen surfer’s lap. He worked hard at his craft, playing friend’s parties, regional gigs and surf industry functions before being chosen to play Southbound Festival near his hometown of Margaret River earlier this year. “I’ve been lucky enough to perform at a majority of the biggest festivals in Australia, but the biggest gig thus far would have to have been that Southbound Festival,” he says. “It felt like the past years performing payed off in one set. I have no idea how many people were at my set, but there were so many familiar and unfamiliar faces and an incredibly positive vibe – it was a performer’s dream.”
Blake attributes his positive outlook on life to his parent’s reaction to his mother’s diagnosis with breast cancer, a battle she’s since won. “When mum was diagnosed… not once did I hear either of my parents complain or wallow in negativity,” he says.
“As a kid, I didn’t understand. I just assumed if something bad happened you should be upset. But my parents always turned the negative into positives, and I’ve found thinking like that helps me move forward faster instead of focusing on problems and negative energy.”
And just as Blake set out years ago with firm goals in mind, he encourages others his age to plot their own course in life. “I have a theory that so many people work just to afford something that they think will make them happy,” he says. “But I think if you just cut out the middle man, work hard at doing something that makes you happy – nothing else is as satisfying.”
Another day, another dollar. Photo: John Barton
