Our ambassadors are a multi-generational, diverse group of wave riding individuals with more than a 100 years of combined ocean experience. These sages of surfing embrace helmets as part of their practice and have joined our mission to help make surfing safer for everyone.
[{"id":390046908553,"title":"Gary Linden","created_at":"2020-05-21T03:41:13-07:00","body_html":"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eResides: Oceanside, California\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the godfathers of modern big wave surfing, Gary Linden is still tackling behemoths around the world in his late 60s. Linden—a former President of the Association of Surfing Professionals—founded the Big Wave World Tour in 2009 in order to showcase the world’s best big wave riders competing at the world’s best big wave spots. This eventually became the World Surf League Big Wave Tour that Gary helped lead until early 2020.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eLinden is a highly respected, renowned shaper with 50-plus years of experience. In the 1980s, Linden Surfboards was recognized as the number three surfboard manufacturer in the world. More recently, Linden’s knowledge of heavy water helped him become one of the top tow-in board and big wave gun shapers anywhere. His work creating beautiful, sustainable surfboards from upcycled agave wood was also a pioneering feat in the early days of seeking greener board-building materials—a unique process that was even featured in mainstream media. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e“I created the surfboard to bring awareness to the lack of sustainability in action sports and to demonstrate that it’s possible to use natural materials and a nontoxic process to create products that are better for the shaper, the rider and the environment,” he told \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eTravel + Leisure \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003emagazine in 2015.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #38761d;\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.lindensurfboards.com\/\" style=\"color: #38761d;\"\u003ewww.lindensurfboards.com\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #38761d;\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/lindensurfboards\/\" style=\"color: #38761d;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e@lindensurfboards\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0326\/8388\/4681\/files\/Screen_Shot_2020-05-27_at_3.41.21_PM_1024x1024.png?v=1590620023\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0326\/8388\/4681\/files\/Screen_Shot_2020-06-02_at_5.59.50_PM_1024x1024.png?v=1591207442\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","blog_id":60832743561,"author":"Nancy Opitz","user_id":51184763017,"published_at":"2020-05-21T03:43:00-07:00","updated_at":"2020-08-19T12:43:29-07:00","summary_html":"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOne of the godfathers of modern big wave surfing, Gary Linden is still tackling behemoths around the world in his late 60s.\u003c\/span\u003e","template_suffix":null,"handle":"gary-linden","tags":"","image":{"created_at":"2020-06-03T11:06:17-07:00","alt":"","width":1600,"height":900,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0326\/8388\/4681\/articles\/m0516_nb_linden_a-fb6503f0-728b-4a55-a782-7b0fd745c899-1.jpg?v=1591207577"}},{"id":390046941321,"title":"JOAO DE MACEDO","created_at":"2020-05-21T03:41:47-07:00","body_html":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eResides: Nazaré, Portugual\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eJoão De Macedo is one of the world’s best big wave chargers and all-around tube hound. At age 7, his love for the ocean began with bodyboarding the powerful shorebreak of Praia Grande in Sintra, ultimately laying the foundation for Macedo to become one of Portugal’s most recognized big wave surfers. His solid paddle performances at Maverick’s and other formidable peaks eventually earned Macedo an invite onto the World Surf League Big Wave Tour—becoming the first European professional surfer ever to qualify—culminating in a Top 5 finish during the 2012–13 season. Nowadays, Macedo calls the monstrous waves of Nazaré his home break, where he can often be seen streaking across its 60-foot walls each winter.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eAside from surfing, Macedo’s passion for sharing and protecting the ocean’s wonders is undeniable. In 2000, he achieved his college undergrad degree in Economics followed by a master’s degree in Sports Management, which led to founding Surf Academia schools at Praia Grande and Carcavelos with close friends. He’s also served as a program manager for Save The Waves and was a co-founder of the World Surfing Reserves organization—where he still stands as a global ambassador for its WSR Vision Council. “Surfing big and heavy waves, and teaching people how to surf,” he says, “is one of the best ways to stimulate and nurture people’s consciousness of the beauty and power of the natural world. From there, environmentalism and sustainability stems naturally.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.joaodemacedoproject.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"color: #38761d;\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003ewww.joãodemacedoproject.com\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/joaodemacedo7\/\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"color: #38761d;\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003e@joãodemacedo7\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0326\/8388\/4681\/files\/Screen_Shot_2020-05-22_at_11.49.15_AM_2048x2048.png?v=1590173453\" style=\"float: none;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0326\/8388\/4681\/files\/joaodemaced_thecave_1024x1024.jpg?v=1614717282\" width=\"1024x1024\" height=\"1024x1024\" style=\"float: none;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"color: #38761d;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #38761d;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0326\/8388\/4681\/files\/Screen_Shot_2020-05-22_at_11.48.52_AM_2048x2048.png?v=1590174299\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","blog_id":60832743561,"author":"Nancy Opitz","user_id":51184763017,"published_at":"2020-05-21T03:41:00-07:00","updated_at":"2021-03-02T12:35:06-08:00","summary_html":"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJoão De Macedo is one of the world’s best big wave chargers and all-around tube hound. At age 7, his love for the ocean began with bodyboarding the powerful shorebreak of Praia Grande in Sintra, ultimately laying the foundation for Macedo to become one of Portugal’s most recognized big wave surfers.\u003c\/span\u003e","template_suffix":"","handle":"joao-de-macedo","tags":"","image":{"created_at":"2021-03-02T12:29:32-08:00","alt":"","width":1984,"height":1323,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0326\/8388\/4681\/articles\/RB_20201012_0082_copy.jpg?v=1614716972"}},{"id":390044221577,"title":"Jamie Sterling","created_at":"2020-05-20T22:08:44-07:00","body_html":"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eResides: Oahu, Hawaii\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHailing from Oahu’s North Shore, Jamie Sterling grew up with friend and family ties to some of Hawaii's hottest and most legendary surfers. This early access to top-level surfers (and to some of the best waves on Earth) created a strong foundation for him, and the young Sterling’s surfing prowess quickly turned heads. After high school, he moved to the Mainland and became an Ocean Lifeguard in Southern California—where Sterling’s training in water safety and lifesaving proved critical skills for his eventual career in big wave surfing. Once Sterling began competing in professional contests, his fearless attitude and advanced surfing IQ soon led to awards, trophies and accolades (including the 2006 Billabong XXL Performer of the Year, third place at the Mavericks Invitational in 2008, winner of the 2010 Pico Alto Invitational in Peru, and, ultimately, becoming the 2010\/2011 Big Wave World Tour Champion).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSince his historic BWWT run, Sterling has continued to charge XXL swells around the world at spots like Cortez Banks, Jaws, Mavericks, Dungeons and Teahupoo, while also giving solid performances in global big wave events. His holistic approach to big wave cross-training comprises routines of yoga, cross-fit, running, breathing techniques, along with a clean diet. When not chasing giant waves, Jamie Sterling can be found teaching on the North Shore, sharing his passion for surfing, and being the best dad possible to his young son, Cyrus. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/jamie.sterling\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003e@jamiesterling\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0326\/8388\/4681\/files\/IMG_2595_1024x1024.jpg?v=1614716535\" alt=\"\" style=\"float: none;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0326\/8388\/4681\/files\/sterling_mavericks_1024x1024.jpg?v=1603669600\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJamie Sterling at Mavericks 2013 Invitational\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","blog_id":60832743561,"author":"Nancy Opitz","user_id":51184763017,"published_at":"2020-04-04T17:00:00-07:00","updated_at":"2021-03-02T12:24:01-08:00","summary_html":"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHailing from Oahu’s North Shore, Jamie Sterling grew up with friend and family ties to some of Hawaii's hottest and most legendary surfers.\u003c\/span\u003e","template_suffix":"","handle":"jamie-sterling","tags":"","image":{"created_at":"2020-10-25T16:48:47-07:00","alt":"","width":1213,"height":762,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0326\/8388\/4681\/articles\/Jamie_Sterling_portrait.jpg?v=1603669727"}},{"id":390046843017,"title":"Terry Simms","created_at":"2020-05-21T03:40:18-07:00","body_html":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eResides: Ojai, California\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eTerry Simms was born and raised in San Diego, CA, and started riding waves at age five. He served four years in the US Coast Guard and is a former professional surfer. The ocean water safety and life-saving knowledge gained during his Coast Guard days are still deeply embedded in Simms’ current surf coaching practices—enabling him to successfully guide students in extreme wave conditions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eSimms’ first experience sharing the joy of riding waves with others happened in the early 90s, when he organized an event for physically challenged surfers in Santa Cruz, CA. This groundbreaking event helped spawn the Shared Adventures non-profit, which was one of the earliest sparks in the global surf therapy movement. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eAfter retiring from competition in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003ethe mid-90s,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e Simms became a teacher at California’s first surf camp, San Onofre Surf Camp—founded by the legendary Dorian “Doc” Paskowitz. Simms worked as Head Beach Master of the camp, where Doc mentored him in Paskowitz’s one-of-a-kind surf philosophy and the lessons passed down by Duke Kahanamoku—the Father of Modern Surfing.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eIn 1998, encouraged by enthusiastic friends and driven with an innate passion for passing on surf stoke, Simms launched Simba’s Surfaris, which eventually expanded into Terry Simms Surf\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e—an elite surf guiding, instructional and luxury travel company. Many clients have been with Terry for 20+ years, and their children are now some of his most promising students.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #38761d;\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"www.terrysimmssurf.com\" style=\"color: #38761d;\"\u003ewww.terrysimmssurf.com\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #38761d;\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/terrysimmssurf\/?hl=en\" style=\"color: #38761d;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e@terrysimmssurf.com\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0326\/8388\/4681\/files\/372A3092.terry_2048x2048.jpg?v=1594757784\" style=\"float: none;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0326\/8388\/4681\/files\/Surfers_Journal.edit_grande.jpg?v=1594754302\" style=\"float: none;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","blog_id":60832743561,"author":"Nancy Opitz","user_id":51184763017,"published_at":"2020-03-01T17:30:00-08:00","updated_at":"2021-03-02T13:41:47-08:00","summary_html":"","template_suffix":"","handle":"simbaterry","tags":"","image":{"created_at":"2021-03-02T13:41:47-08:00","alt":"","width":1080,"height":684,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0326\/8388\/4681\/articles\/TS.helmet._Childs-1807-07801.B.jpg?v=1614721307"}},{"id":390046875785,"title":"Danny Cortazzo","created_at":"2020-05-21T03:40:47-07:00","body_html":"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eDanny Cortazzo grew up on the beach at Malibu and has dedicated his life to ocean safety. It was on a trip to Australia in his early 20s when Cortazzo first discovered surf helmets. Immediately recognizing the value of head protection, he became one of the first surfers in North America to wear a surf helmet and has worn one for over 30 years. Danny achieved his master’s degree in Marine Sciences and subsequently focused on lifesaving services—working as a fire captain\/paramedic and beach lifeguard\/junior lifeguard instructor for decades.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCortazzo also founded one of the first adaptive surf programs—Ride A Wave—and is responsible for taking thousands of individuals with special needs surfing, free of charge. Danny is highly respected in the Santa Cruz community as a lifesaver, waterman, National Lifeguard Champion and competitive tandem surfing winner.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #6aa84f;\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/pages\/category\/Nonprofit-Organization\/Ride-A-Wave-155974087790409\/\" style=\"color: #6aa84f;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRide A Wave\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e","blog_id":60832743561,"author":"Adon Newman","user_id":null,"published_at":"2020-01-31T03:40:00-08:00","updated_at":"2020-08-26T13:48:51-07:00","summary_html":"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDanny Cortazzo grew up on the beach at Malibu and has dedicated his life to ocean safety. It was on a trip to Australia in his early 20s when Cortazzo first discovered surf helmets\u003c\/span\u003e","template_suffix":null,"handle":"cortazzo","tags":"","image":{"created_at":"2020-07-01T14:21:28-07:00","alt":"","width":1504,"height":892,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0326\/8388\/4681\/articles\/Screen_Shot_2020-07-01_at_2.21.13_PM.png?v=1593638488"}},{"id":402501795991,"title":"Astika Oye","created_at":"2020-10-25T15:48:43-07:00","body_html":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eResides: Sanur, Bali \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eBorn in Bali in the mid-eighties, Astika Oye, grew up on the shores of Sanur Beach. The son of a fisherman, Oye witnessed the beginning of the water sports industry and water tourism developing in Bali while hanging out on the local beaches. After watching the local surfers and wind surfers train, this athletic nine year in the early nineties, decided he would learn both sports.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eOye entered his first competition in Jakarta in 1999 and was inspired to fully devote himself to competitive windsurfing and sailing. Six years later, in 2005, his professional career took off when he won his first gold medal in a Bali international sailing championship.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eBy 2010, Ripcurl became his main sponsor. His best moment in competition came in 2014 when he was in the RS:ONE World Championships. Oye won the Indonesian Windsurfer Championship from 2006 to 2017. After becoming a dominant force in wind surfing, Oye then moved on to kitesurfing and become an Indonesian Kitesurfing Champion from 2014 to 2017. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eAstika Oye is currently one of the head watermen at the famed Nihi hotel on Sumba. Oye spends his time going back and forth between Sumba and Bali. He still spends a good amount of time on the beaches of Sanur where he helps teach the next generation of Balinese kite boarders about wind, waves and competition.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/astikaoye\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003e@astikaoye\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0326\/8388\/4681\/files\/astikaoye_1024x1024.jpg?v=1603667732\" alt=\"\" style=\"float: none;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","blog_id":60832743561,"author":"Nancy Opitz","user_id":51184763017,"published_at":"2020-01-10T16:00:00-08:00","updated_at":"2020-10-25T16:18:45-07:00","summary_html":"","template_suffix":"","handle":"astikaoye","tags":"","image":{"created_at":"2020-10-25T15:48:43-07:00","alt":"","width":3764,"height":2700,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0326\/8388\/4681\/articles\/1O8A1329_2_.atika.oye.jpg?v=1603666124"}}]
