In 2007 Darryl “Flea” Virostko surfed the Mavericks contest under the influence of meth. He battled alcohol and drug addiction throughout his surf career — which saw him as one of the preeminent guys at Mavericks as well as one of the most progressive aerialists of all time. The Santa Cruz icon has since faced his drug and alcohol issues and gotten himself clean and now he’s doing something to help others who are facing those same demons by way of a sober living environment.

Flea opened the house in Santa Cruz, California and runs a program he calls “Fleahab.” The house encourages an active lifestyle and community for guys facing the same things he did. Through surfing and healthy living Flea has inspired and helped those in need in his community to face and get through some dark times.

We took a trip up to see Flea, get a tour and managed to score a funky lefthand shore pound with Nat Young and Flea in the process.

For more information on Fleahab check out the site: Fleahab.net

Massive thank you to Josh Pomer at Josh Pomer Films for the archival footage of Flea.