My life would end up throwing me a bit of a curve ball in July of 2006, while my team and I were filming a video at Derby skatepark here in Santa Cruz. I slipped out, stacked hard and fractured my L3&L4 vertebrae. Unfortunately, this left me paralyzed from the waist down...However, i've always been of mindset that life is what you make of it, and is far too short to sit around feeling sorry for yourself. Luckly enough for me, i've been blessed with the best family and friends one could ask for and they have always been there for me!

Nowaday's, I spend the majority of my time traveling on tour, pushing the limits of my chairskating and surfing as well as doing expressions sessions on various legs of the WQS and WCT...As of right now, i'm one of only two paralyzed professional surfers in the world... This being the case, I feel that it is incumbent upon me too serve as more than just a professional athlete, but also as a mentor to those who have sustained similar injuries and are looking to once again push the limits...

Over the past year, i've been training extensively with my crew to become the first disabled person to tow into Mavericks. It's a goal that I plan to accomplish by the end of this winter season!

I'm also a ambassador for the Life Rolls On foundation, which raises public awareness and promotes a active, healthy lifestyle for young people who have sustained spinal cord injuries... My major goal through these efforts, is to help empower others with disabilities to pursue their dreams, despite the challenges life has thrown their way!...

...It's important in life not to take anything for granted, because every day we share on this earth is a gift, and you never know when it all might come to a end...The way I see it, the lord throws challenges our way in life, it's how a person chooses to face those challenges that defines them as who they are!!!

You can also find me at Myspace.com/SantaCruzSoulSurfer