Andrew Cooper lives in Boca Raton, Florida and enjoys boating, surfing, swimming and spearfishing. He is passionate about volunteering with INDY.CLUB not just because of it's involvement with the ocean, or because it gives him the chance to work with incredible people, but because he has seen this organization truly change lives. Spinal cord injury is near and dear to his heart and he truly believes in the INDY.CLUB mission.
Austin Kino
Born and raised in Maunalua Bay, Oahu, Austin Kino is a voyager and entrepreneur. Kino has been a crew member aboard Hokule’a since 2006, sailing around the world in the Malama Honua voyage as an apprentice navigator. He is the Co- founder of Huli the Movement, an environmental education program that provides students with field days Kino aims to reconnect young people to their aina.
Evan Locke
I was born and raised in Santa Clarita, California but most of my adult life I have lived along the coast from Ventura, Florida, Hawaii, and the even the Canary Islands. I now live in Los Angeles where I work in the film industry. I love nature and I spend as much free time as I can connecting with our natural ecosystems. I am very passionate about outdoor recreation and really enjoy sharing that passion with others. My favorite thing to do is surf! Part of that joy is being in the ocean where I find peace and serenity. There is no greater feeling than sharing that with others. Whether it is with my friends, introducing someone new to surfing, or providing support for adaptive athletes; there is nothing that refuels my stoke tank like seeing others rejoice in that feeling. There is a temptation in surfing to be selfish, to want it all to yourself. Adaptive surfing is a reminder that we are all in this together and by helping each other we can all achieve a deeper happiness. There is something beautiful in seeing someone surf that other wise would not have that opportunity. To resist that selfish urge and to share in the unique sensation is inexplicably magnificent and sublime.
Juliane Florez
Based in San Diego, CA, I spend as much time outside I can! Whether it’s surfing or camping you’ll often find me with a camera snapping photos of friends. Having family members affected by SCI’s inspired me to work with INDY.CLUB, where I found passion in helping others compete in adaptive surf contests. While competitions are fun, INDY.CLUB opened my eyes to a whole new community of irreplaceable friendships & camaraderie to last a lifetime.
Mario Menze
My name is Mario Menze! I was born and raised in Lahaina Hawai’i. I’ve been a surfer and waterman for 24 Years. My favorite waves are Honolua Bay and Lahaina Harbor. I grew up with a passion for surfing, being outside, and helping families have fun in the ocean safely. My journey started by teaching surf lessons when I was 14 at Kaanapali. From there I did some competing through high school and after high school I started teaching for a core group of men called
@localprosmaui. I started to coach private families as well. I moved to San Diego CA in 2022. Soon I was introduced to the Challenged Athletes Foundation doing surf camps in Venice Beach with
@seanbrody @SEAeducation helping a wide variety of amazing humans get a taste of the ocean. I ended up meeting
@evanstrong at a CAF event, a golf medalist Adaptive snowboarder and CHARGER surfer. He asked me to come help with the
@Hawaiiadaptivesurfteam at the ISA worlds competition in Huntington Beach. That’s where I Met Evan Locke and Learned about INDY.CLUB. I knew I wanted to be apart of the team helping to better peoples lives and give them some STOKE! Since then I’ve been very active in the adaptive surfing community as a surf coach, pusher and catcher for the assisted prone divisions. Always focused on spreading Love and Aloha and this is one of my favorite ways to show it! Stoked to be apart of the movement and I look forward to helping more of you catch some waves! Mahalo!
Tyler Meppen
Tyler was born and raised in Oceanside, CA. He is passionate about surfing, snowboarding, and travel. Growing up by the water Tyler feels connected to the Ocean. He is proud to volunteer and share his love of the Ocean with others.
