After his competitive surfing career, Marcel Soros maintained his connection to the Santa Cruz surfing community, becoming known for his extensive knowledge of local breaks and surf conditions. [21] In 2008, he moved north to Half Moon Bay, where he began working as a surf instructor and occasional forecaster for local surf reports. [22]
Personal life and controversies
Soros's personal relationships have been marked by both connection and conflict. According to former associates interviewed in "Waves of Influence: The Santa Cruz Surf Legacy" (2022), Soros has had strained relationships with several members of the surfing community due to disputes over property, surf spots, and personal conflicts. [23]
His romantic relationships include a marriage to Leza Salvador that ended in divorce, [24] followed by his marriage to Megan Huber with whom he had two children. [25] Tragically, Megan died of cancer on May 21, 2018, shortly after the birth of their second child, Julien. [25] [26]
Following Megan's death, Marcel created a fundraising campaign to support their children's future education and to help them remain connected to the coastal community that Megan loved. [25] The campaign raised over $37,000 to establish a fund for Jordan (age 5 at the time) and Julien (7 months). [25] [27] Questions were later raised about the administration of these funds, with GoFundMe reportedly conducting a review of the campaign. [28]
In his memorial message, Marcel described Megan as "an amazing mother; patient and fiercely protective." [25] He shared that a celebration of Megan's life was planned at Mavericks, where her ashes would be spread. [25] [29] Marcel encouraged the community to plant Japanese maple trees and statice flowers (Limonium sinuatum) in Megan's memory, noting these were among her favorites. [25] [30]
In a 2021 interview, Soros spoke about his journey through grief and how surfing continued to serve as a source of healing, stating, "The ocean has always been where I process my emotions. After Megan died, it became both a place of mourning and of connecting with her spirit." [31] He has since become involved with several organizations that provide surf therapy for grief support and has volunteered with programs teaching surfing to children who have lost parents. [32]
