ABOUT ME

My journey to big wave surfing

Born in 1974 into a family of windsurfers, grown up in Graz, Southern California, Florida and Colorado/USA

In 1993 relocation to Maui/Hawaii as professional windsurfer, rapid change to big wave surfing

Direct involvement in, and contribution to, the development of tow-in surfing (wave riding in big waves by means of jet skis) from its very beginning, intensive focus on technical aspects

1994: First European who surfed “Jaws“

Since 1995 professional big wave surfer, sponsors like Vans, Red Bull and Marui, participation in worldcups, surf trips with professional photographers (Alaska, Todos, Fiji et cetera), active in international surf film productions

Since 1999 focus of life in Graz, big wave seasons (October – March) still in Maui/Hawaii

2017: First Austrian who surfed the wave in Nazaré on an “XXL day“ – therefore one among an elite group of 20-30 international surfers who are surfing Nazaré´s so-called “Big Days“.

I am an ordinary person having an extraordinary passion:
I surf the world’s biggest waves

Qualification

Management consultant, organisational development, human resource development and communication: seminars, workshops, presentation and moderation
Transfer of knowledge and expertise by training military special forces and water rescue teams in the fields of High Surf Rescue and Survival in Strong Surf
Collaboration with producers as “lead user“ – cooperative product development, e.g. with Ripcurl and Quiksilver (inflatable safety vests), Seadoo (jet ski) and Elua Makani (surfboards)

Academic training

University education in sport science, Master’s degree in Business and International Management, PhD in Business and International Management, Executive M.B.A.
Professional trainings in group dynamics and “Train the Trainer“
Trainings in Big Wave Risk Assessment and High Surf Rescue

Personal

Born in 1974 into a family of windsurfers
Raised in Graz/Austria, Southern California, Florida and Colorado/USA
7 years of living and surfing on Maui/Hawaii
Tow-Partners: Robert Gompers, Ralf Sifford
Father of a daughter (Jana) born in 2007
Favourite wave: Nazaré and Pe`ahi/Jaws
Other sports: Windsurfing/Wavesailing, SUP, Motocross, Snowboarding
Foundation and management of non-profit associations (e.g. „Das steirische Hilfswerk“, „MIK Mensch, Information, Kommunikation“)