Jesse Billauer
Jesse Billauer (born February 24, 1979) is a well-known
Billauer suffered an accident at the age of 17 on March 25, 1996, hitting his
Billauer was told by doctors that he would never surf again. However, Billauer eventually did return to surfing, adapting his surfing technique and equipment to the situation of his current condition, known as para surfing. He has become a role model to many other surfers, both professional and amateur, on how to live a life to the fullest, despite a life changing injury.[1] Through these efforts, Jesse has gained sponsorships from companies including Hurley, Channel Islands Surfboards (who developed a "Jesse Billauer" model), LoFric, Wavejet and Shoe City.
After graduating from Malibu High School, Billauer eventually enrolled at San Diego State University with an emphasis in communications. He graduated in 2002. He is also a motivational speaker, and is executive director the nonprofit he founded, Life Rolls On.[1] Through this foundation, Jesse is taking a leading role in awareness and activism for spinal cord injury related quality of life programs.
The 2003 documentary
In 2005, Billauer became the first quadriplegic surfer to surf the dangerous waves of Cloudbreak in Fiji. He now surfs utilizing a power-assisted surfboard created by Wavejet.
The inaugural "Jesse's Story on Tour" speaking tour began in April 2006. Through the tour, he delivered his message of overcoming adversity to over 100,000 people.
In December 2006, Billauer broke his femur while surfing large waves on the North Shore of Oahu. This injury led to the development of improved equipment for disabled surfers. He has recovered and is back in the water surfing again.
In September 2013, he took over as executive director and CEO of Life Rolls On Foundation.
On October 26, 2014, Billauer married his longtime girlfriend, Samanta Pearson, at the historic Adamson House in Malibu.