Surf Market Overview: The surf market is experiencing steady growth between 2023 and 2028, with projections indicating a substantial increase in market size, translating to an estimated increase of USD 2,513.43 million. Factors such as the rising popularity of outdoor activities, increasing awareness of health and wellness, and demand for sustainable products are driving this growth, while surfing enthusiasts, spanning various demographics, are fueling demand for high-quality apparel, accessories, and equipment.
According to recent research conducted by ENDVR in collaboration with SIMA, the surfing apparel and accessories market has witnessed significant traction, with over 70% of sales associates reporting a growing interest in tech-driven products and 35% of customers prioritizing Style & Design, while 31% consider Brand Reputation when making a purchase. As consumers increasingly embrace the surfing culture and seek high-performance gear, the demand for innovative and sustainable products continues to drive market expansion.
Emerging Trends in 2024:
Looking ahead to 2024, several trends are poised to shape the surf and active outdoor industry, these include:
Strategies for Success:
To thrive in the competitive retail environment, surf and active outdoor brands need to adopt innovative strategies. These should include prioritizing merchandising, investing in ongoing training for sales associates, and utilizing new technologies to enhance sales in physical stores.
Discover more about these strategies in our upcoming webinar "Retail Trends for Surf and Active Outdoor Brands in 2024: Insight From the Sales Floor" hosted in collaboration with ENDVR, a digital sales enablement platform for brick-and-mortar sales. ENDVR aims to bridge the divide between brands, retailers, and sales associates, helping brands maximize sales, reorders, and sell-through by digitizing brand-employee connections and fostering consumer loyalty.
Join us to delve into the latest trends in the surf market and successful strategies for 2024 and beyond, register now to secure your place and gain valuable insights to drive your brand forward!
As a special offer for SIMA members, ENDVR also provides an exclusive offer for partnership, empowering brands with cost-effective solutions tailored for success in the surf and active outdoor market.
]]>Surfing is the fastest growing water sport in the top 25 fastest growing sports using data from the 2023 SFIA Report. And for action sports, that meant Skateboarding came in at 59.1%, Surfing at 28.5% and Snowboarding at 14.5%.
Our overall takeaway is that the action sports industry is healthy and consumers are being drawn in to the sports that drive our industry.
The sports included in this study are the sports and activities from the SFIA report Topline Report and their participation increase from 2018 to 2022
Here are the top 10, with an honorable mention to our sideways sliders on the snow!
1. Pickleball: 171.1%
2. Alpine touring: 115%
3. Winter fat biking: 69.4%
4. Off-course golf: 67.5%
5. Snowboard touring: 59.1%
6. Skateboarding: 38.8%
7. Trail running: 32.4%
8. Tennis: 32.3%
9. Surfing: 28.5%
10. Recreational kayaking: 23.1%
And coming in at…
13. Snowboarding 14.5%
]]>Learn more about ENDVR: The All-in-One Digital Platform Solution
]]>In the dynamic world of retail, brands in the surf industry operating in a retail wholesale environment often face the challenge of effectively engaging and empowering their retail sales associates. These front-line employees play a crucial role in representing the brand, educating customers, and driving sales. However, there is sometimes a disconnect between brands and these important stakeholders, which can hinder the acquisition of new customers and sales growth. While products may vary, the shared struggle lies in optimizing the retail sales channel, empowering sales associates, and attracting new customers.
Meet ENDVR: Your All-in-One Digital Platform Solution:
ENDVR is a game-changing solution that brings brands and their retail sales associates closer together: it empowers Brands to create unforgettable in-store experiences, educate sales associates, and incentivize them to sell more. This ultimately results in gaining more customers and achieving higher sales figures. Meanwhile, Retailers benefit from enhanced in-store experiences, better engagement with sales associates, and a unified platform for product education and sales initiatives.
ENDVR has already helped over 170+ world-class brands like OTIS Eyewear, Slowtide Towels, Vuori, Vans Canada, and many more effectively engage, educate, and incentivize sales associates, helping them build data-backed strategies for their brick-and-mortar sales initiatives.
Elevate Retail Success and Customer Acquisition with ENDVR Campaigns:
ENDVR provides a variety of campaigns to boost sales and improve customer acquisition:
Powering Retail Transformation and Skyrocketing Sales with ENDVR's Magic Touch: When brands partner with ENDVR, they witness incredible transformations in their retail operations:
For a concrete example of the platform's effectiveness, look at the OTIS sales campaign on ENDVR, which yielded outstanding results:
These metrics and results highlight the platform's capacity to drive sales, engage sales associates, and deliver a significant impact on brands' retail operations.
Discover more about ENDVR: Join ENDVR's November Webinars and Enjoy Exclusive SIMA Savings!
For those interested in learning more about ENDVR, the platform is hosting webinars in November: ENDVR for Brandsand ENDVR for Retailers to boost in-store sell-through and transform retail operations. These webinars are excellent opportunities to explore the platform's features, benefits, and case studies.
Furthermore, as a gesture of appreciation towards SIMA members, ENDVR is pleased to extend an exclusive offer: brands that choose to enter into a contractual agreement with ENDVR will receive a remarkable 10% discount on their services, ensuring added value and savings for their business.
Ready to unlock your brand's full potential? Explore the ENDVR platform today for a deeper dive into the future of retail success! Visit the ENDVR website to learn more
By Vipe Desai
In a fast-paced Q&A session at the SIMA Industry Breakfast that took place at Surf Expo, Karly Cottrell from Island Water Sports shared valuable insights into breaking into the surf industry, refreshing product categories, impressing retailers, and more.
Here are the key takeaways from this engaging conversation:
1. Constant Evolution in Retail: Retailers, especially in the surf industry, need to evolve constantly. Brands that were popular in the past may not be relevant today, so staying fresh and current is essential.
2. Opportunity for Innovation: Men's and women's swimwear in the surf industry are ripe for disruption. Stagnation in these categories is driving the need for innovative products that cater to active lifetysle surfers.
3. Embrace Innovation and Quality: Consumers are willing to invest in high-quality, tech-driven products. Brands should focus on providing performance-driven sportswear and athleisure options to meet customer demands.
4. The Role of Reps: Establishing strong relationships with sales representatives is crucial. Trusted reps help bridge the gap between brands and retailers, fostering trust and making it easier for new brands to enter the market.
5. Standing Out Matters: New brands must stand out with unique offerings that resonate with customers. Creating a buzz around your brand and making customers ask for it can drive interest and success.
6. Research and Customer Feedback: Brands need to listen to their customers and conduct market research to stay relevant. Reef’s success story demonstrates the power of adapting to customer needs.
7. Persistence Pays Off: Don't be discouraged by initial rejections. Sometimes, it takes time for brands to gain recognition and acceptance in the market. Keep reaching out and trying.
As the surf industry barrels into rapid change and disruption, adaptability and innovation are key. Brands that prioritize quality, customer feedback, and strong partnerships with retailers and reps have a better chance of winning over retailers and thriving.
Whether you're an aspiring brand or a retailer, these insights from Karly Cottrell provide valuable guidance for navigating the surf industry successfully.
]]>With the endless parade of giant swells raining down on Oaxaca, Mexico, the eyes of surfers around the world have been fixated on the elevator drops and deep barrels at Puerto Escondido.
Located on Mexico’s southern Pacific coast and arguably one of the world’s most beautiful and pristine, wave-filled destinations, coastal Oaxaca also contains globally important coastal ecosystems, a myriad of unique wildlife species, and vibrant indigenous communities.
Our friends WILDCOAST share why Oaxaca is worth saving in this guest blog post.
]]>By Serge Dedina, Ph.D., Executive Director, WILDCOAST
With the endless parade of giant swells raining down on Oaxaca, Mexico, the eyes of surfers around the world have been fixated on the elevator drops and deep barrels at Puerto Escondido.
Located on Mexico’s southern Pacific coast and arguably one of the world’s most beautiful and pristine, wave-filled destinations, coastal Oaxaca also contains globally important coastal ecosystems, a myriad of unique wildlife species, and vibrant indigenous communities.
The combination of perfect waves, gorgeous beaches, friendly people and nature in abundance attracts visitors from around the world to Oaxaca. The undeveloped state of this wave-rich zone (with the exception of Puerto Escondido) and its unaltered watersheds and coastline contribute to the exceptional quality and diversity of point waves. That, in turn, fuels the rare ecological conditions that result in wildlife and vibrant ecosystems seen in few other locations in coastal Mexico.
Coastal Oaxaca is influenced by the Isthmus of Tehuantepec whose Tejuano winds and other biogeographic features have produced rare coastal dunes that abut patches of tropical forest and produce the upwelling in the Gulf of Tehuantepec that results in an amazing abundance and diversity of ocean life. It is these contrasts that make its protection vital, not only for surfing, but for the health of the oceans worldwide.
This also includes the continued well-being of its residents, especially the indigenous communities who depend on its natural resources, many of whom still deeply feel the sting of the loss of their villages as a result of the development of the coastal resort city of Huatulco.
WILDCOAST, thanks to the support of the SIMA Environmental Fund, has been working to conserve some of the most threatened and ecologically important ecosystems and wildlife species in Oaxaca over the past two decades. With an office in Huatulco and a dedicated staff of conservationists, our team is committed to protecting the iconic natural resources of this magical coastline in southern Mexico.
So here are five reasons why we must continue to protect and preserve the miraculous and stunning coastal and ocean resources of one of North America’s most unique regions.
Connected and Undeveloped Coastlines and Watersheds
The coast of Oaxaca offers up what is increasingly rare in a tropical Pacific Mexico that has been hammered by urbanization, coastal tourism development, and deforestation (especially in the states of Michoacan and Guerrero): undeveloped coastal ecosystems that connect coastal mangrove wetlands to watersheds and tropical forests.
Looking southeastward from Barra de la Cruz, endless green mountain vistas of the Sierra Madre del Sur fill the view and culminate in the 12,200 foot Cerro Nube at its southerly edge. Just down the beach from Huatulco is the mouth of the Copalita River that offers up river rafting and hundreds of thousands of acres of tropical forests, home to some of Mexico’s most important watersheds, now referred to as “water reserves.”
While Huatulco is obviously a tourist resort, its development included the formation of the 29,400-acre Huatulco National Park and the preservation of local coral reefs and coastal wetlands and forests. That forward-thinking conservation is unique among Mexico’s heavily developed coastal resort cities.
Coral Reefs
Coral bleaching is a threat to coral reefs worldwide. But somehow the corals of Mexico’s Pacific have not seen the type of damage faced by Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. The coral ecosystems of Huatulco National Park are the southernmost in Pacific Mexico and home to a wide variety of wildlife species. Unfortunately they have been impacted from the overuse by tourists, which is why WILDCOAST is working with Mexico’s National Protected Area Commission to train outfitters in best management practices and place mooring buoys around the most fragile reefs to prevent damage from anchor drops.
Sea Turtle Nesting Beaches
Starting in the summer months, Oaxaca’s beaches, especially Escobilla and Morro Ayuta, are the sites of massive arribadas, in which tens of thousands of olive ridley sea turtles arrive to lay their eggs. In Barra de la Cruz, the protected beach and RAMSAR Wetland of International Importance play host to the most important remaining population of nesting leatherback sea turtles in Mexico. These marine reptile leviathans that face extinction due to threats caused by industrial and commercial fishing, only leave the ocean to lay their eggs (and only the females).
The sea turtle activity in Oaxaca is remarkable given that the now hipster tourist village of Mazunte down the coast from Puerto Escondido was once the site of Mexico’s notorious legal sea turtle slaughterhouse. Sea turtles have come back thanks to government protection, the cooperation of local communities who benefit from sea turtle conservation, and the preservation programs of the Mexican Sea Turtle Center at Mazunte as well as WILDCOAST.
Blue and Green Carbon Ecosystems
The mangrove wetland and tropical forest ecosystems found widely in Oaxaca help to store vast amounts of carbon and help to adapt to and mitigate climate change. “By preserving natural ecosystems, the carbon they have already sequestered remains stored in the ground. When these blue and green carbon ecosystems are destroyed, they end up releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, worsening the climate crisis,” affirms WILDCOAST Mexico Director Monica Franco. “So we need not only to protect every inch of Oaxaca’s treasured natural ecosystems for the sake of the people and wildlife that thrive there,” says Franco, “But for the sake of preserving our planet.”
These ecosystems are also home to humpback whales off the coast, along with jaguarundi, jaguars, anteaters, resident and migratory birds, deer, iguanas and rare and threatened amphibians.
Globally Unique Surf Spots
Thanks to organizations such as Save the Waves, there is increasing recognition of the need to safeguard globally unique surfing sites as protected areas and World Surfing Reserves. The sand bottom breaks of Oaxaca, which include Punta Conejo, now threatened by the proposed expansion of the port in Salina Cruz as well as continuous oil spills from a nearby PEMEX port, are more than worthy of permanent protection.
They are rare and treasured ecological features, coastal and marine ecosystems, wildlife habitats and recreational and economic resources that help to drive an important part of the local economy in Oaxaca. WILDCOAST is collaborating with Save the Waves and other local organizations and activists to protect Punta Conejo. We are also working with CONANP to preserve sea turtle nesting beaches that also include surf breaks.
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Without more formal conservation protections, Oaxaca will fall prey to the same forces that have ravaged coastlines and natural ecosystems around the world. There is still time to make sure that this magical coastline retains its extraordinary resources and raw beauty so local communities and surfers continue to benefit from and enjoy Oaxaca’s natural wonders.
Serge Dedina is the Executive Director of WILDCOAST and first visited Oaxaca back in 1974. He received SIMA’s “Environmentalist of the Year” Award in 2003. A version of this article was originally published in The Inertia.
]]>Special thanks to our friends at Audi, Surf Expo and Visit Huntington Beach for their support.
]]>SBIA and SIMA recently teamed up for a virtual hard goods summit and one of the talks focused around the state of surfboards. This was a rapid fire chat with Chris Grow, Director of Marketing at FireWire and I asked him to share insights on retail strategies and what does it take to reach today's hard goods consumer.
Watch the video to hear what he had to say.
]]>SBIA and SIMA recently teamed up for a virtual hard goods summit and one of the talks focused around the state of surfboards. This was a rapid fire chat with Chris Grow, Director of Marketing at FireWire and I asked him to share insights on retail strategies and what does it take to reach today's hard goods consumer.
Below is his response but you’ll definitely want to tune in and watch the whole session for his other valuable insights.
CHRIS GROW: At FireWire, we believe that surf shops are vital to our surfing culture. They serve as a source of inspiration and education, which is crucial for a surfboard brand like ours. We’ve realized that it's essential to create products that align with the consumer experience. Most surfers still ride the waves near their homes, rather than using specialized boards for wave pools or high-performance surfing.
They typically look for boards that can be used daily. In our case, this means focusing on boards by renowned designers like Dan Mann and Rob Machado, such as the Sweet Potato and the Mashup, a collaboration between Dan and Rob. We also have the Revo by Daniel Thompson, which works exceptionally well in small waves, and the Dominator by Dan Mann. Our range of surfboards, designed by these talented designers, is optimized for everyday waves.
This focus has contributed to our ongoing success despite industry trends. Unlike clothing or trunks, which may be purchased for their aspirational value, surfboard consumers are educated and seek products that enhance their real surfing experiences.
Watch the full session in the video below
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SIMA Environmental Fund beneficiary, The 5 Gyres Institute, recently published a research paper revealing there are more than 170 trillion plastic particles, weighing approximately 2 million tonnes, afloat in the world’s oceans.
The stakes are high. Trillions of microplastic fragments are swirling in our oceans, throughout the biosphere, and in our bodies. We can’t let the issue continue to run rampant for another 50 years; it’s time for us, as a collective planet, to make a change.
]]>The 5 Gyres Institute recently published a research paper revealing there are more than 170 trillion plastic particles, weighing approximately 2 million tonnes, afloat in the world’s oceans. That is more than 21,000 pieces of plastic for every human being on the planet.
The study draws on nearly 12,000 samples collected across 40 years of research, including 5 Gyres’ expeditions and data from many of the original leaders in ocean plastic research. Co-authors include Edward Carpenter, who published the first paper on plastic in the ocean in 1972, Robert Day, who first discovered plastic in the North Pacific in 1985, and Charles Moore, who discovered the “Great Pacific Garbage Patch” in 1997.
By evaluating trends of ocean plastic from 1979 to 2019, the authors observe a rapid increase of marine plastic pollution since the millennium and make an urgent call for policy measures focused on source reduction and reuse rather than recycling and cleanup.
“The exponential increase in microplastics across the world’s oceans is a stark warning that we must act now at a global scale, stop focusing on cleanup and recycling, and usher in an age of corporate responsibility for the entire life of the things they make,” said Dr. Marcus Eriksen, Co-Founder of The 5 Gyres Institute. “Cleanup is futile if we continue to produce plastic at the current rate. It's time to address the plastic problem at the source.”
The data offers a historic overview of international policy measures aimed at reducing plastic pollution, showing an increase in ocean plastic pollution at the same time as a decrease in effective laws and agreements. Although there are many factors to consider, the need for legally binding, global agreements cannot be overstated.
We are now at a turning point in history, with negotiations underway for a Global Plastics Treaty. The stakes are high. Trillions of microplastic fragments are swirling in our oceans, throughout the biosphere, and in our bodies. We can’t let the issue continue to run rampant for another 50 years; it’s time for us, as a collective planet, to make a change.
]]>Have you ever tried to recycle a broken surfboard? Help provide data on surfboard usage by taking Sustainable Surf’s new Wave to Grave: Surfboard Lifecycle Survey as part of The ECOBOARD Project. Your responses will help them understand the carbon footprint of surfboards and the impact they have on the environment.
]]>To help stoke the imagination, the Surf Industry Members Association has a few fun suggestions on what shops, brands, reps, and industry members can do on this day of commemorating the heart and soul of the surf industry.
]]>Brands and Surf Shops all over the world are invited to be part of this celebration by signing up at this link to receive our special social media toolkit: https://forms.gle/yPF74W8FEb9GDcME8
]]>Snowsports Industries America (SIA) and the Surf Industry Members Association (SIMA) announced today a partnership to address sustainability and climate action in the action sports industry. The upcoming sustainability sessions look to provide SIA and SIMA members with crucial educational programming to address the gap in the outdoor community between topical expertise and the real action needed to reduce emissions and effectively tackle climate.
The Snow and Surf Industry Sustainability Sessions is a six-month guided online series for SIA members that will provide participants with the knowledge and specific tools they need to accelerate their company's leadership on the most pressing environmental issue facing our industry. The sessions will run weekly from March 9 – June 8, 2023, and is open to any SIA member; the cost of the program is $1,200 per person, and will be limited to 20 total spots.
The program is led by Derek Sabori, the former VP of Sustainability at Volcom, and brands such as New Balance, Volcom, Billabong, RVCA, Quiksilver, Zumiez, and Blue Tomato have already entrusted Sabori to help train their teams on the fundamentals & essentials of sustainability and climate change affecting the winter outdoors.
The Sustainability Sessions come at a time when SIA and SIMA look to bring together their respective industries to develop and implement sustainable practices and policies with a focus on reducing carbon emissions, conserving natural resources, and promoting environmentally friendly products.
"We are thrilled to join forces with SIMA to offer these curated sessions for our members as we look to create a more sustainable future for the winter outdoors," said Nick Sargent, president of SIA. "As leaders in the winter sports and surf industries, we each have a responsibility to take action on climate change to protect our businesses, and the places we love to play."
“The surf and snow industries rely heavily on a healthy environment, and we’re excited to team up with SIA to use our collective force to bring the Sustainability Sessions to our members,” said Vipe Desai, Executive Director of SIMA. “By working together, we can accelerate the innovations and adoption of sustainable solutions to protect our environment and our business interests.”
The Sustainability Sessions will enable attending SIA and SIMA members to gain a new outlook on the depths of the sustainability and climate conversation, promote sustainable practices among members and the broader industry, advocate for policy change to support sustainability efforts, and build a strong foundation in the topics and concepts that have become crucial components of manufacturing, marketing and selling.
SIA and SIMA will also work together to educate consumers about the importance of sustainability and the impact their choices have on the environment.
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Key Takeaways:
- Close to $10M has been granted to environmental groups working to protect our ocean and industry over the past 3 decades.
- This successful grant program is the result of brands, board builders, artists, and retailers coming together to raise much-needed funds for ocean health-focused nonprofits through the annual Waterman’s fundraising event.
The SIMA Environmental Fund Board of Directors has approved $225,000 in grants to the following ocean environmental groups for their dedication and commitment to protecting our most precious resource-the ocean:
“We are incredibly thankful for our environmental beneficiaries that are working on protecting our oceans day in and day out,” said Paul Naude, SIMA Environmental Fund President, “These groups are ensuring that future generations will be greeted with a healthy and thriving ocean on which our industry and millions of ocean enthusiasts rely every single day for tourism and recreation.”
For more than 30 years the SIMA Environmental Fund has been providing grants to organizations around the globe that are addressing the ongoing ocean health issues facing our coastlines. As we near the 35th Anniversary of our environmental efforts, we continue to look for ways to expand our fundraising efforts beyond the annual Waterman’s gathering.
As the pandemic set in and jeopardized in-person fundraising, SIMA moved quickly to launch the #SurfCleanOceans initiative that saw brands and retailers come together to dedicate a portion of online weekend sales to the SIMA Environmental Fund. This year, to continue the fundraising efforts, SIMA members launched the Waterman’s Online Auction and invited the public to bid on signed contest jerseys from World Champions Kelly Slater and Italo Ferreira. The combination of these three activities allowed us to exceed our 2022 fundraising goal of $250,000 and inch closer to $10M in total grants issued over the past 3+ decades.
Scaling Impact in 2023 and Beyond
“The Surfrider Foundation is honored to receive funding from the Surf Industry Members Association (SIMA) again this year. For decades, the surf industry and SIMA have supported our work to protect our ocean, waves, and beaches. SIMA’s support helped us save Trestles from a destructive freeway project, respond to the recent oil spill in Huntington Beach, and support our national efforts to rid the ocean of plastic pollution.”
Dr. Chad Nelsen | CEO | Surfrider Foundation
“Ocean Institute has been a beneficiary of SIMA's good work for over three decades. Their support in connecting underserved youth with ocean education not only creates life-changing moments for these students but also helps create the critical mass of ocean ambassadors that are needed to protect our ocean. We are thankful to see the members of the surf industry protect what they love by supporting ocean education.”
Dr. Wendy Marshall | President & CEO | Ocean Institute
“Thanks to the support of the SIMA Environmental Fund and its surf industry members, over the past two decades WILDCOAST has been able to preserve millions of acres of some of the world’s most ecologically important coastal and ocean ecosystems. This includes helping to protect over 50 miles of pristine Baja Pacific coastline as one of North America’s largest private land coastal reserves. We are grateful to SIMA for its long-term and impactful support for wild coastlines.”
Serge Dedina, Ph.D | Executive Director | WILDCOAST
The remaining funds have been set aside in an emergency fund to distribute to environmental groups should a need arise.
The SIMA Environmental Fund has also served as a catalyst to help our individual members to take action and provide their own ongoing support throughout the year for environmental groups outside of the annual Waterman’s fundraiser. Many of our beneficiaries receive financial and in-kind support throughout the year from our members and we encourage our members to continue growing their commitments.
SIMA’s Ongoing Work Will Continue to Grow
SIMA and the SIMA Environmental Fund are continuously working to raise funds for environmental groups but also reduce impact through regular business operations. Through the SIMA Sustainability Business Alliance, formed by a group of passionate members, the small but dedicated group leads efforts to find solutions and help our members take action to reduce paper and plastic waste.
“While actions speak louder than words, funding is also required to enact results.” Said Vipe Desai, SIMA Executive Director. “This is a deliberate effort on the part of our members to work in collaboration alongside each other to protect our oceans for surfers the world over and the livelihood of our industry.”
From saving waves to protecting fragile ecosystems and educating our future generations, the numerous organizations the SIMA Environmental Fund supports are dedicated to serving coastal communities and the values of our members and the surf industry.
In addition to business sustainability and environmental funding efforts, SIMA Executive Director, Vipe Desai was appointed to NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries Business Advisory Council. The council consists of 15 voting seats representing a wide variety of ocean and coastal interests and members serve as trustees for a network of underwater parks encompassing more than 620,000 square miles of marine and Great Lakes waters overseeing recreation, tourism, inclusive access, commercial and recreational fishing, natural and cultural resource management, marketing, and conservation.
This appointment represents SIMA’s ongoing commitment and leadership to working with organizations at the grassroots level up to the federal level and bringing the full representation of the surf industry’s collective voice to ocean conservation and protection.
The SIMA Environmental Fund is proud to be a part of the 1% for the Planet network, which connects businesses and nonprofits to protect the planet. If you own a business, consider joining 1% for the Planet and naming the SIMA Environmental Fund as your beneficiary and join us in increasing our impact.
Whether through SIMA’s collective efforts or separate actions of our members, the ocean has risen to the top of the surf industry as a priority. Without a healthy ocean, our industry cannot exist and as long as the ocean needs help, SIMA will be there to offer our support.
]]>Among the honorees at Oceana’s SeaChange Summer Party will be surf industry legend, Paul Naudé, CEO of Vissla and president of the Surf Industry Members Association. And he's been named Oceana’s Ocean Champion this year.
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The 2022 ISA World Surfing Games (WSG) presented by Visit Huntington Beach were officially declared open by ISA President Fernando Aguerre at Pier Plaza.
Joining for the first time, teams from the nations of Algeria, Lithuania and Saudi Arabia drew extra support.
After sharing the extensive surf history and many accomplishments of Surf City USA, Visit Huntington Beach CEO, Kelly Miller, said, “We are proudly welcoming this event. Seven times, more than any other city in the ISA’s history, and I can tell you that we are totally stoked, without question. The road to Paris 2024 truly runs through Surf City USA.”
Read More at ISASurf.org
]]>The Rip Curl WSL Finals are upon us and the media was out in full force at the press conference on September 6th at the San Clemente Pier. This years event is going to be exciting and the best athletes will soon be hitting Trestle’s to battle it out for the World Title!
SIMA has had a long standing relationship with elected officials and this year we invited Congressman Mike Levin to share updates on his efforts to protect our coastal communities from new offshore oil and gas drilling along with an update on the San Onofre Nuclear waste issue. In addition, Rep. Levin and Vipe Desai presented Certificates of Special Congressional Recognition to our members, Rip Curl CEO Brooke Ferris and the World Surf League CEO, Erik Logan, for their environmental and economic contributions to the region.
SIMA members like Rip Curl and World Surf League care about the health of our oceans and have long been advocates for our coastal communities.
]]>HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. (Monday, August 23, 2022) — The sold-out 33rd Annual Waterman’s at The Ranch Laguna Beach was a smashing success, exceeding fundraising goals and honoring key industry members and environmentalists at the surf industry’s most-anticipated annual social event.
Held at The Ranch in Laguna Beach, California on Saturday, August 13, more than 200 of the surf industry’s leading executives, local business leaders, and surf enthusiasts flooded this year’s gala under the stars on an amazing night. In the end, the generous crowd helped exceed the evening’s fundraising goal that go to some of the most impactful environmental organizations working to protect our oceans, beaches, and waves.
“Waterman’s was a truly electric event this year, with the surf industry joining together raising funds for important environmental groups and honoring these key industry members,” said Surf Industry Members Association (SIMA) Environmental Fund President Paul Naude. “Without a healthy ocean, there is no surf industry. I’m extremely proud of what the industry has done as a group to support clean oceans and surf access over the years. This event alone has raised north of $9 million since 1989.”
This year’s gala featured a full evening of activities including a thrilling live and silent auction, gourmet food, and spirited socializing. The live auction was one of the highlights of the evening, featuring the highest-selling item ever in the 33-year history of Waterman’s, as an inspired bidder paid $72,000 for a 2023 fully electric Audi Q4 e-tron. A half day at Kelly Slater’s Surf Ranch also brought out passionate bidders looking to enjoy the perfect waves with a few friends.
“The surf industry’s highest honors were celebrated and much needed funds were raised for this year’s environmental beneficiaries,” said Vipe Desai, SIMA Executive Director. “It’s great to see so many of our industry members at the event, opening up their hearts and wallets to raise money for our oceans.”
In the evening’s marquee presentation, Waterman’s honored the late, great Michael Tomson with the Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing the Gotcha founder, world tour surfer, and industry icon. His cousin, surf legend Shaun Tomson, as well as former business associates Mark Price and Joel Cooper, gave inspiring speeches honoring MT.
“There aren’t that many geniuses out there and Michael Tomson was certainly one of them,” Shaun told the captivated crowd. “He had a profound and lasting influence on our culture, lifestyle, business, and he mentored so many people in this group.”
Mark Price reiterated that MT was more than deserving of the honor. “I'm going to make the case that MT is the action sports CEO emeritus,” he said. “Remember, it's so much easier to build on a foundation once it's in place than to build it from scratch.”
Accepting the award was MT’s son, Oliver Tomson. “For me, my father was always a figure who was larger than life and it was hard for me to conceptualize his impact on the world that I call home. All I can say from the bottom of my heart, thank you to all of you for being part of this journey and thank you for honoring my father, Michael Tomson.”
Adding to the evening’s festivities, World Champion surfer and Olympic Gold Medalist Italo Ferreira was honored as Waterperson of the Year and came through on livestream with a great message from Tahiti where he was competing.
Renowned environmentalists and longtime SIMA supporters Anne Earhart and Beto Bedolfe were recognized as Environmentalists of the Year, with Emmy Award winning actor Ted Danson providing a taped congratulation.
Waterman’s was honored to welcome back major sponsors: Audi, Surf Expo and The Ranch at Laguna Beach.
Waterman’s benefits the SIMA Environmental Fund, a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation that awards grants to various environmental groups based on their dedication to preserving and protecting the world’s oceans, beaches, and waves.
2022 Waterman’s beneficiaries include:
5 Gyres Institute, Assateague Coastal Trust, Clean Ocean Action, Heal The Bay, North Shore Community Land Trust, Ocean Institute, Orange County Coastkeeper, San Diego Coastkeeper, Santa Barbara Channelkeeper, Save The Waves Coalition, Surfers Against Sewage, Surfing Education Association, Surfrider Foundation, WildCoast, Wishtoyo Foundation.
Watch the evenings celebrations below!
About Surf Industry Members Association
The Surf Industry Members Association is the voice and soul of the surf industry. From research to sustainability, environmental policy, best business practices, education, humanitarian support, cost-saving solutions, industry awards, and to trade show relations, SIMA is committed to a strong and healthy industry by helping its members thrive.
]]>By Scott Bass
Timmy Patterson shapes cutting edge surfboards for 2019 world champion and Olympic Gold Medalist Italo Ferreira. Patterson is also the son legendary board builder Ronald Patterson -- and his two uncles (Raymond and Robert) knew their way around a surfboard blank with resin bucket in tow. What is really cool, at least from my perspective, Tim recently discovered that the family surfboard business actually runs threegenerations deep.
Here’s the scoop: Tim’s grandfather sourced balsa at Pearl Harbor for Walter Hoffman’s (Hoffman Fabrics, another surf industry stalwart) sleek mid-fifties Makaha guns.
Circa 1950, after the Allied powers of the USA, Britain, and USSR successfully defeated the Axis powers of Nazi Germany, Japan, Hungary and the ilk, the US Navy needed to revamp their fleet and, in the process, de-commissioned a handful of older ships. During WWII, the lifeboats were made out of balsa wood -- a sought after resource for cutting edge surfboards and Hoffman’s eyes were squarely on the prize. Hoffman discussed his desire for those lifeboats with Patterson. Patterson, who was in the Navy, received permission from his commanding officer to do whatever he wanted with the old lifeboats. Patterson went to work peeling the the sought-after balsa planks of off the lifeboats. Hoffman glued up the balsa blanks (under the watchful eye of Pat Curren no doubt) to craft the first generation of gorgeous Makaha balsa guns. Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.
That’s three generations of Patterson’s: surf industry icons.
Patterson Surfboards was founded in 1980. Prior to opening T. Patterson Surfboards, Tim shaped at Hobie Surfboards in Dana Point, California. It was there that he learned the art of shaping from legends such as Dale Velzy, Chris McElroy, Mickey Munoz, and Terry Martin. He was involved with all the facets of the manufacturing process including shaping, laminating, glossing, sanding, and airbrushing. Tim is fluent in all phases of surfboard manufacturing and he is considered an expert in design, development, and the hand shaping process.
The Icons of Foam Tribute to the Masters is a shaping competition of eight shapers attempting to replicate classic surfboard designs within a 90-minute time-frame. The competition takes place over the course of two days. The honored shaper – this year Timmy Patterson -- will judge (along with Matt Biolos, Pat Rawson and Roger Hinds) the anonymously shaped boards to determine who most closely replicated Patterson’s original design.
Although it is organized as a competition, and its heart the Icons of Foam Shape-Off is a tribute to exceptional shapers who practice this sacred craft. Honoring Timmy Patterson this year (as selected by him) are 2x defending champion Ryan Burch, Boardroom Japan champion Tokuda-san, Robert Weiner (Roberts Surfboards), Jason Bennett (Chemistry Surfboards), Rick Rock (Rock Surfboards), Alex Lopez (Alex Lopez Surfboards), Tiko (Brazil), and Matt Kinoshita (Kazuma Surfboards Maui). The four semi-finalists will all receive special commemorative engraved Nixon watches with the Boardroom logo. Additionally, the second place shaper receives $500. The winner will receive $1000 and their name added to the Mike Marshall Perpetual Trophy.
Working with great surfers and personally testing his boards has provided Tim Patterson with feedback he has applied in his shaping. Years of technical input has helped propel him to the ranks of the shaping elite: Tim Patterson, Icon of Foam.
The Boardroom International Surfboard Show presented by US Blanks takes place in Del Mar Ca. October 8th & 9th and features a hall filled with surfboards, shapers, fin manufacturers, wetsuits, surf gear, and art. In addition, there are exhibits: Best In Show presented by Ziobaffa Organic Italian Wines, live music, the California Gold Surf Auction, the Boardroom Talks, Carver Skateboards wave ramps, the Vintage Surfboard Collector Club, food, beverage and tons of fun.
]]>The surf industry's most-anticipated annual social event, the 33rd Annual Waterman's Ball, will be held at The Ranch in Laguna Beach, California, on Saturday, August 13. This year's gala returns to the idyllic setting as 200 of the surf industry's leading executives, local business leaders, and surf enthusiasts gather under the stars for an amazing night raising money for some of the most impactful environmental organizations working to protect our oceans, beaches, and waves.
Since 1989, Waterman's has raised more than $9 million to support beneficiaries that are dedicated to protecting our oceans, surf breaks, fighting plastic pollution, and more on behalf of surfers.
This year marks the 33rd year of the Waterman's Ball. Over that time, the industry has come together each year to celebrate our oceans with this premier social fundraising event on the global calendar. Through the years, at this event, the industry has honored most of the leading characters in surfing, as well as many of the key figures in ocean-related environmentalism.
"Without a healthy ocean, there are no healthy people, planet, or profits to be had, and this year's Waterman's marks another incredible milestone celebrating the heroes of our industry - both the individuals and our environmental beneficiaries," said Vipe Desai, Executive Director of the Surf Industry Members Association. "The business of protecting our playgrounds and preserving our livelihoods is a year-round effort. On this special evening, the industry comes together to celebrate our honorees in style and together, united under one vision - healthy oceans, healthy industry."
This year's gala features a whole evening of activities, including honoring the late Michael Tomson with the Lifetime Achievement Award, Italo Ferreira as Waterperson of the Year, and Anne Earhart and Beto Bedolfe as Environmentalists of the Year. In addition to paying tribute to this year's amazing honorees, the evening will feature a live and silent auction, gourmet food, and lively socializing.
Michael Tomson | Lifetime Achievement Award
Michael Tomson was the co-founder of Gotcha and a former professional surfer. He was one of the most creative marketers and designers in the industry who, along with partner Joel Cooper, started Gotcha out of a house in Laguna Beach in 1978, using the garage as a warehouse. Michael handled design and marketing. Joel ran the business side of things.
Gotcha went from zero to $120 million in sales in just seven years, pioneering numerous apparel designs in the surf industry, including long walk shorts, denim jeans and jackets, and more. With bold graphics and creative images, the brand pushed past the typical surf advertising look at the time. It used aggressive advertising campaigns, using the catchphrase "If You Don't Surf, Don't Start."
In addition to setting trends and styles within the industry, the company also employed some of the industry's top executives, including Mark Price, Paul Naude, Shaheen Sadeghi, Kelly Gibson, and Nick Bower.
As Gotcha soared, Michael then made another surf brand called More Core Division, or MCD, and assembled one of the greatest surf teams ever, with a who's who of the late 80s signing up. Adding to his list of accomplishments, Michael was a founding member of SIMA and served as SIMA president for several years in the 1990s.
Tomson was born in 1954 in Durban, South Africa, and passed away on October 7, 2021, after a long battle with throat cancer.
"Michael Tomson was a creative genius who in the 80s single-handedly changed surf style forever. He created a product and marketing philosophy that set the standard for the industry that is still very relevant today," said Paul Naude, SIMA President, and Vissla CEO. "His creative juice followed what had already been a groundbreaking approach in surfing in Hawaii and around the world – and he wasn't a half-bad journalist in his spare time as well."
Italo Ferreira | Waterperson of the Year
Italo Ferreira was born in the small coastal town in the far north of Brazil, Baia Formosa. The son of a fisherman and innkeeper, Italo has competed on the WSL World tour since 2015, where he won Rookie of the Year after finishing 7th overall that year.
He won the World Championship and ISA World Surfing Games in 2019 and added a Gold Medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
He's one of the most explosive surfers on tour, known for his high-energy approach and high-flying aerials. His win over Gabriel Medina during the Pipe Masters Final in 2019 is considered one of the sport's greatest-ever finishes.
Ferreira learned to surf on a three-foot-long lid of an insulated cooler his father used to transport fish to sell to restaurants in Baia Formosa. After moving on to a real surfboard, Italo's early progress was first noticed and nurtured by Jadson Andre and the celebrated scout and coach Luiz "Pinga" Campos.
"SIMA is thrilled to honor the first men's Olympic gold medalist, Italo Ferreira, as Waterperson of the Year," said Naude. "Italo's surfing flamboyance and innovation, total stoke, and friendly disposition has made him one of the most popular professional surfers globally."
Anne Earhart | Environmentalist of the Year
SIMA's 2022 Environmentalists of the Year are incredible individuals in their own right but together have become powerful advocates for protecting the ocean.
As the founder of Marisla Foundation, Anne Earhart and Executive Director of the foundation, Beto Bedolfe, have both served as champions of SIMA.
The ocean played an integral role in shaping the trajectory of Anne Earhart's life. She spent her childhood visiting So Cal beaches and exploring the coast. Then, on a trip to Baja, California, she experienced a life-changing encounter with friendly gray whales. The breathtaking display planted the seeds for Anne's life's calling and indelibly marked the beginning of her journey to environmental philanthropy.
Her commitment to environmental causes gradually shaped the Marisla Foundation into a conservation powerhouse. Today, it provides substantial and consistent funding to more than 600 nonprofits, the majority with missions focused on addressing global environmental challenges.
Reflecting Anne's lifelong love of the ocean, Marisla has emerged as a particularly effective leader in marine conservation, working strategically to strengthen biodiversity and ecosystems and mitigate pollution and overfishing impacts.
Every year, Marisla Foundation supports more than 150 organizations working to protect healthy coasts and oceans. Through her efforts, she is helping to preserve beach access and stop water pollution and development impacts at some of the world's most epic surf spots, including in Mexico, Chile, Hawaii, and, of course, in her home state of California.
Because saving the world's oceans is too monumental an undertaking for a single foundation, Marisla has forged dynamic partnerships with other foundations committed to that cause.
Together with partners, Marisla created Oceana, the first major nonprofit committed to the restoration and protection of the world's oceans. Thus far, Ms. Earhart's philanthropy has helped preserve 4.5 million square miles (and counting) of the ocean.
This extraordinary range of accomplishments places Anne Earhart prominently within the ranks of today's great conservationists. And to this day, she finds her greatest joy in a simple day at the beach with her family and grandson, six-year-old Finn.
Beto Bedolfe | Co-Environmentalist of the Year
Herbert "Beto" Bedolfe is the Executive Director of the Marisla Foundation, where he has focused on international marine conservation, biodiversity protection, and environmental health and justice issues since 1992.
Beto grew up in El Segundo, California, where he surfed and rode surf mats at El Porto. This connection to the ocean was a strong driver in him pursuing a life devoted to conservation and people. Beto attended Swarthmore College, a small liberal arts college in Pennsylvania, which taught the fundamental values of social responsibility and conservation of resources. These instilled values led him to the path of Peace Corps, where he served as a volunteer in Paraguay for three years and met his future partner in philanthropy, Anne Earhart.
His interests in social and environmental development were broadened while working for the U.S. Agency for International Development and World Bank in the Cape Verde Islands, São Tomé-Principe, Guinea-Bissau, and Mozambique. During these years, Beto completed his MBA at California Lutheran University.
After spending a number of years living and working in Africa, Beto headed back home to California, taking on the role of the newly created Marisla Foundation.
During his nearly three decades as Marisla's Executive Director, Beto has worked deeply in protecting our planet's oceans and coasts. He has chaired the board of both Oceana and Oceans 5 and served on the board of SIMA's Environmental Fund, lending his expertise and guidance in helping to fund outstanding ocean conservation organizations. Some of his most satisfying work has involved ocean and coastal conservation and protecting important surf spots.
Beto continues to be an avid surfer and enjoys a good dawn patrol and Baja surf safari with his buddies.
"Anne and Beto are incredible stewards of the environment," added Naude. "They have mentored and supported so many, and their invaluable, tireless commitment literally makes a difference daily to all Ocean lovers. We are thrilled to honor them as our 2022 Environmentalists of the Year."
Waterman's is honored to welcome back once again our major sponsors: Audi, The Ranch at Laguna Beach, and Surf Expo.
Waterman's benefits the SIMA Environmental Fund, a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation that awards grants to various environmental groups based on their dedication to preserving and protecting the world's oceans, beaches, and waves. This year, the gala is expected to raise $250,000 for more than a dozen ocean conservation groups.
For more information, please contact Melinda Simpson at melinda@surfindustry.org
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SIMA Surf Consumer Survey Reveals Intriguing Insights
The Surf Industry Members Association recently partnered with Camp Shred and Surf Ride Board Shop to survey surfers about their equipment, wave riding, and purchasing habits. The results emphasize an intriguing picture of today’s surf consumer: a person who is affluent and well-educated, buys most of their boards and surf products in surf shops, and still surfs a lot.
Highlights of the survey reveal that surfers are experienced and go often – with a majority having surfed more than 10 years and still get in the water at least 2 or 3 times a week. More than half own at least 4 surfboards, and they buy a new board at least once a year.
Among the attendees at Camp Shred, shortboards were the most popular board style owned, with over 4 out of 5 (78 percent) respondents saying they owned a shortboard. Nearly two-thirds owned a mid-length board, over 50 percent also said they owned a fish, while 43 percent owned a longboard.
While the online shopping world is growing quickly, surfers still buy most of their gear in surf shops. Almost three quarters of the respondents said they purchased their most recent surf related product in person in a surf shop, and 60 percent said they’d buy their next surfboard from a surf shop in person.
Demoing surfboards helped surfers’ buying decisions. Of the survey respondents, three quarters (75 percent) said they planned to purchase a surfboard in the future because they tried it at Camp Shred.
Camp Shred, the world’s largest surf demo, conducted the survey during its event held February 12-13, 2022, at the San Elijo Campgrounds in Cardiff, California. The event hosted several thousand attendees overall, and the survey was filled out by approximately 100 attendees. Based on the location and overall makeup of respondents, this study highlights a snapshot of today’s active, enthusiastic Southern California-based surfer.
For a more detailed look at the surf consumer today, including demographic information, purchasing habits, and other interests, SIMA members can use the contact form to request access to the full survey for free.
]]>While there’s no clear definition for what it means to be sustainabile, Dr Marcus Eriksen from 5 Gyres Institute summed it up with this simple message of “do no harm” - a simple, yet powerful statement that can help guide your business sustainability journey.
]]>Our first speaker series of 2022 kicked off with a topic that has been a priority for our members for many years - sustainability. While there's no clear definition of sustainable sustainability, Dr. Marcus Eriksen from 5 Gyres Institute summed it up with this simple message of "do no harm." This simple yet powerful statement can help guide your business sustainability journey.
Our panelists, which included Amanda Chinchelli from Seea, Wes Carter from A New Earth Project, Chris Evans from Vissla and Dr. Marcus Eriksen from The 5 Gyres Institute, and moderator Derek Sabori of The Underswell shared valuable insights in addition to their own journeys of the challenges and opportunities they've experienced within their organizations.
Here are a few key highlights that stood out to me and how they can help our members and the surf industry focus on taking action:
These are just a few of the high-level points that jumped out from this conversation, but we have the audio linked below so you can listen to the event in its entirety.
SIMA's effort to bring solutions to our members is a year-round effort where members collaborate to share ideas, explore solutions, and bring them to our collective membership to implement within their operations through our Sustainable Business Alliance.
And now, let's jump into the SIMA Speaker Series.
]]>In this special presentation by our partners at Moss Adams, SIMA members can learn what companies are doing to reach untapped audiences, grow sales, and increase brand awareness.
]]>In the webcast below, Chris Marantette, president of Netrush, joins industry professionals to share examples and insights on how leading-edge companies are preparing and positioning themselves to succeed in the changing competitive landscape that lies ahead.
This presentation explores the anticipated shifts in technology and the marketplace poised to impact the e-commerce arena.
SIMA members can learn what companies are doing to reach untapped audiences, grow sales, and increase brand awareness.
Key highlights include:
View the PowerPoint presentation
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The local initiative spearheaded by Mexican NGO Pronatura Noroeste AC, and joined by Save The Waves (STW), has been in the works for years. Finally, the campaign to legally protect San Miguel has become a reality. Formed by the sand and cobblestones at the base of the watershed, this classic wave remains one of the most beloved breaks in Baja California, and considered the birthplace of Mexican surfing.
“San Miguel is a very special place for the local community and its legal protection goes beyond the wave,” says Mara Arroyo, the Surf Protected Area Network Manager for Save The Waves. “Our work at STW focuses on preserving the place as well as the wave – what we call surf ecosystems – so that the entire area is safeguarded as a whole.”
Following this concept of surf ecosystems, Arroyo San Miguel protects more than the wave that attracts local and international surfers alike.
It also preserves 6 kilometers of the watershed – a hub of biodiversity and a critical riparian ecosystem – safeguards drinking water for local residents, and provides a public greenspace for the community of Ensenada.
The idea of creating the first state park originated in 2008. At the initiative of the community, Pronatura Noroeste identified a state park designation as the best tool to protect the Arroyo San Miguel and pushed the agenda with the Secretary of Environmental Protection of the State of Baja California.
Later, in 2014, it was reinforced by the declaration of the Bahía de Todos Santos World Surfing Reserve, a globally recognized program led by Save The Waves to protect world-class surf breaks and their surrounding coastlines.
Together, the two organizations wrote and collaborated on the necessary technical documents required to create the state park. Save The Waves also completed a Surfonomics report in 2014, revealing surf tourism brings hundreds of thousands of dollars annually to communities around San Miguel – demonstrating the economic importance of protecting the watershed.
A campaign to leverage public support was then launched, which included an online petition that amassed over 10,000 signatures and letters of support sent to the Governor of Baja California.
San Miguel signals a positive turn for surf break protection in Mexico, as the global movement to protect surf ecosystems takes shape.
“This is only the beginning,” said Nik Strong-Cvetich, CEO of Save The Waves. “Save The Waves is continuing to develop and introduce surf conservation in areas all across Mexico. Our Surf Protected Area Network program hopes to replicate San Miguel’s victory with other communities who seek to protect their home breaks and the support from SIMA partners is what can make this a reality.”
Learn more about Arroyo San Miguel.
]]>This original documentary by Sidewinder Films, features commentary from surfing’s biggest stars, including newly-crowned Olympic gold medalist Carissa Moore, while also delving into his personal successes, struggles and humanitarianism through rare footage, contemporary visuals and incisive interviews.
From modest roots in Waikiki, Duke swam his way to fame, becoming the face of a changing Hawaii – and a vital part of its tourism industry – as it evolved from an independent Kingdom to the 50th American state. Yet relatively few outside Hawaii know the full extent of Duke’s impact on sports, lifesaving, and combating prejudice.
Through Duke’s incredible athletic accomplishments, personal doctrine of Aloha, and enduring gift of surfing to the world, the film explores a theme that still resonates today – the role of sports in breaking societal barriers – and celebrates his triumphs and philosophy of inclusion, challenging us all to embrace diversity and incorporate Aloha into our own lives.
]]>“SIMA is thrilled to honor Carissa Moore with a long overdue award as Waterperson of the Year,” said Paul Naudé, President of SIMA and CEO of Vissla. “Over the past decade, Carissa has spearheaded a new brand of women’s surfing that has now earned the respect of all surfers globally and inspired a whole new generation of young female rippers. She is considered the top seed for surfing’s debut in the Tokyo Olympics, and is favored to be wearing a medal at Watermans!”
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