SurfAid International would like to extend a massive thanks to both Reef and Brad Gerlach for their participation in this years installment of Wave of Compassion. Brad was our first choice to be a part of this event and we couldn't be more honored and stoked to have him onboard!
In 2004 during our first Wave of Compassion event we held an online poll asking what person most people would like to go on a surf trip with - not surprisingly Brad garnered over 50% of the vote among a list of more than a dozen well known surfers from the past and present. His high energy approach to life, revolutionary ideas, and genuine love of surfing will assuredly make the trip a once-in-a-lifetime experience for everyone involved!
What makes Brad so unique? He is a truly diverse character; legendary pro surfer and progressive big wave surfer, actor, stuntman, TV personality, coach, musician, comedian, host, inventor, and humanitarian - the list is almost never-ending. His impressive performance on everything from modest to massive waves has established him as one of the best surfers of all time. Although he has become known as the man who conquers the biggest waves ever ridden, his career highlights definitely go deeper than water - his inclusion in Wave of Compassion proves that and speaks volumes about the true nature of his character and his inate desire to give back.
Background Information
Birthdate: April 11, 1966
Hometown: San Diego , CA
Height: 6'0”
Weight: 175
Sponsors: Reef, Electric, Boost Mobile, Carve Board and Dakine
Highlights:
•Star of major feature film "The Billabong Odyssey," a documentary of a three-year search to find the world's largest wave ever ridden and Dana Brown's “Step into Liquid”
• Appeared in Jack Johnson's Moonshine Productions films “Thicker Than Water” , “Shelter” and “September Sessions” and numerous surfing films.
• Eight year World Championship Tour veteran
• World Title Holder in ‘91
• Retired at 26 from the ASP Tour rated 2nd
•One of the top big-wave surfers in the world
• Stuntman in “Charlies Angels” and “Lords of Dogtown”
•2005 Starred as MTV Made coach
•2006 - Winner XXL Big Wave Surf Contest where he was documented riding the largest wave (68 ft.)
•Featured on Dateline NBC, Nightline and other major news programs
•Featured in countless magazines including Vanity Fair, Newsweek, National \Geographic, Surfer, Surfing, Transworld, Water
•Innovator of the ASP, introducing more efficient rules to improve the format of the world tour
• Inventor of “the Game”
• Founder of the National Surf League
• NSL is a joint venture with the Wasserman Media Group for the '06 season
• Featured on ESPN as the Commisioner and TV personality of the X- Games surf competion where in The Game/ NSL format is used
• Collaborating with Bobby Kennedy Jr platform environmental organization Eco Media run by Paul Pollizzoto for events like “Heal The Bay” & “Adopt a Waterway”
• Advisory Board Member of Surfrider eco group
• Volunteer for Jesse Billauers, Life Rolls On spinal chord injury research foundation
• SurfAid International Ambassador
Nicknamed “Gerr” in high school, Gerlach, 40, has been surfing since his childhood in San Diego , CA., where he first hit the waves at age 10 after finding a board deserted on the beach. As an amateur, he was part of the prestigious National Scholastic Sufing Association (NSSA) team and became the lead member of the U.S. Team during the 1984 World Amateur Championships. After leading the U.S. to victory over their rival, Australia for the first time ever, he embarked on his dream of a pro career by joining the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Championship Tour (WCT). During this time Gerlach climbed the pro ratings quickly. He was the 4th American ever to crack the top 16 where he remained for the rest of his ASP career, and in 1991 retired at 2nd place.
As heralded as he has been for his small-wave success, Gerlach, who honed his tow-surfing skills at Mexico's revered and feared Todos Santos Island and pioneered Cortes bank as one of the first 20 surfers to champion tow surfing , is globally renowned for his big-wave prowess. A calculated risk taker, he made his mark in surf history when he and tow in partner Mike parsons won the Billabong XXL Big Wave Award in 2001 after catching a 66-foot-break off the coast of San Diego at the Cortez Bank. Not only did Parsons' claim a record pitch, but he also took home surfing's highest purse, $66,000. 1k per wave.
Gerlach continues to rein the waves as one of surfing's greatest big wave hunters. As the star of the Billabong Odyssey (a three-year documentary film that chronicles the search for the world's largest wave) and Dana Brown's, Step Into Liquid, Gerlach has already nabbed headlines across the globe as they've uncovered a handful of new life threatening spots that have never been surfed. With the 2006 Billabong Odyssey win now under his belt for the 68-foot Todos Santos wave caught 100 miles off the coast of San Diego there's no telling what's next for Gerlach.
The man wears many hats. “ I am inspired by water” says Gerlach, and for the love of it he has spent the last 6 years developing The National Surf League (NSL) and reshaping the format of surfing. The NSL functions on multiple levels; The California cup, a surfers NBA. Also the NSL High School Cup, which is often compared to Friday night football at the beach, lastly the NSL is licensed to ESPN and runs the surfing show for the X-Games. Last year the California cup generated 127 million impressions. Brad is known for his sense of community and looks to contribute to surf culture. In the end he hopes to legitimize the sport of professional surfing and change the paradigm of what being a surfer means.
Brad would like to thank Reef, Electric, Carveboard, DaKine, and Boost Mobile for their support.
Wave of Compassion would not be possible without the incredible amount of help support we've received from Robin, Dave, and the entire Surfline crew. Surfline's commitment to our efforts and willingness to help us promote this event on their website has been a huge factor in our overall success. From all of us at Surf Aid, Terima kasih! Check out their website: Surfline.com
