growing hair long

I've been trying to grow my hair long for almost 1/2 a year now, and it never works. I always end up getting it cut because it looks like a mullet, or a bowl, or sometimes both. I sometimes where a hat for about an hour just so its long and pressed down, i like it the most then. But, is there any way i can make it look "surfer" i guess without any of that happeneing?

gel or mousse