Eric Sorensen Founder of Mahlchers

Founder of the Mahlchers, Osiris team manager, surf, skate, and snow triple threat. These are not the typical stats of a military kid who was told he’d never make it.  But 32-year-old Eric Sorenson is not typical by any means. While the Camp Pendleton-born surfer didn’t excel in the traditional sense, he made sure to use his innate creativity and love of sport to stand out in all aspects of his life.
It all started at the age of six when Eric’s two older brothers took him to DMJ’s to teach him how to surf. While his brothers later took their own paths, Eric stayed focused on surfing. His talent and natural ability was undeniable, as he quickly added skateboarding and snowboarding to his repertoire. Eric explains the industry’s initial reaction to his unique approach: “Surfing, skating and snowboarding people were like, ‘Just focus on one thing,’ and this and that. They still tell me that to this day, but without all of that I don’t think I’d be in the position I’m in now.”
The self-proclaimed adrenaline junkie didn’t stop there. In 1997, Sorenson started a clique of like-minded innovators called the Mahlchers who supported each other and thrived on their individual uniqueness. “I got tired of the inside the box way the industry was run,” Sorenson said. “A lot of people are like, ‘Oh, you can’t do this, ‘cause it’s done this way.’ I kinda always looked further than that to what the next trend was. I thrive off of being different.” And different they are. Headed by Sorenson, The Mahlchers are known for their stencil-designed clothing, music, and love of surf.
According to Sorenson, The Mahlchers name comes from a combination of the words Maul, Mulch and Vultures. “I started with ‘mahl’ because [maul is] like shredding something and [mulch is], like, soil and regrowth, and ‘chers’ is like a vulture attacking. So it’s just basically, like, regrowing and attacking whatever it is you do,” Sorenson said. The Mahlchers are not limited to surfers, either. Sorenson mentioned that musicians, snowboarders, skaters, bmx-ers, fisherman, and businessman have all, at one point or another, been a part of or influenced the group.
Sorenson just recently added video production to their list of accomplishments with The Mahlchers Suitcase, a 45-minute surf video featuring the likes of Makua Rothman, Danny Fuller, and Brian Conley. This comedic documentary enforces the ideals that Sorenson is so passionate about, all while entertaining the viewer with some amazing surf. “The suitcase represents dreams. You know, everyone’s chasing after their dreams… Once the suitcase is open everyone’s basically fulfilled their dreams,” Sorenson said.  The Mahlchers Suitcase presented by Osiris Shoes premieres on Sept. 9 at 4th and B.
But beyond the hype, Sorenson urges that the company is really about fostering the creativity of youth. Their motto, “Soiling the Youth of Today,” explains Sorenson’s drive to support people and help them to find their individual place in the world. Sorenson encourages, “Just malch through it. Whatever you’re gonna do just malch it. If they say you can’t do it, let that give you more drive to make it happen.”
    While Sorenson, known to his friends as “Nutz,” describes himself as a different breed, it is apparent that he is, in a way, just like the rest of us, searching for our own, unique place in the world and trying to catch a few good waves in the process.