Christiaan Bailey
Encyclopedia
Christiaan "Otter" Bailey (born March 31, 1981, Santa Cruz
, CA
, USA
), is an American professional surfer, known for his experience as a surf safari guide and skill as a big wave surfer and skateboarder.
Bailey moved back to Santa Cruz, California in the fall of 2003. He was a professional surfer and skateboarder, spending his winter months in Central America (Panama
, Costa Rica
, Nicaragua
, El Salvador
) as a back country surf guide and summers back in Santa Cruz. On July 23, 2006, during the filming of a skateboarding video at Derby skatepark in Santa Cruz, Bailey crashed on his skateboard, fracturing several vertebrae in his back (L3,L4,S3), damaging his spinal cord in the process, which left him paralyzed from the waist down as a result.
Since his injury, Bailey's sponsors (Surftech, Roush Creations, Hotline wetsuits, Volcom, Electric Sunglasses, Santa Cruz Skate Shop & Aloha Island) have continued to support him, giving him the opportunity to surf on tour. He participates in expression sessions on various legs of several different pro and semi-pro tours; including the ASP (Association of Surfing Professionals) WQS/WCT (World Qualifying Series & World Championship Tour) , WSA (Western Surfing Association) tour, NSSA (National Scholastic Surfing Association) tour and Volcom Crustaceous Series events.
Since his injury in July 2006, Bailey has surfed and chairskated in expression sessions during the O'neill Cold Water Classic (2006,07,08,09,10), US Open of Surfing
(2007,08,09,10), Hurley Pro at Lowers WCT (2008,09,10) Reef Panama Classic (2007,08), Quicksilver Pro Hossegor
(2008), NSSA National Championships (2007), WSA National Championships (2008,09,10) and the Volcom Crustacious Tour Series (2008). Bailey was the first paralyzed person to win the WSA National Championships (Trestles 2009), as well as the first paralyzed person to surf "Mavericks"
(Half Moon Bay, California). In March 2010, Christiaan Bailey and Arron Fotheringham were selected by the IOC or International Olympic Committee
to be a part of "Team Extreme" for the Vancouver Paralympic Opening Ceremonies, showcasing the new sport of chairskating at BC Place Stadium
in front of 73,000 people. Bailey is currently one of only two professional "chairskater's", and currently remains the "only" paralyzed professional big wave surfer in the world.
Bailey is also active in many international NGO's and disability related non profit organizations. Including being CEO of the Ocean Healing Group
, a non-profit (501c3) dedicated to providing once in a lifetime adaptive sports adventures in Costa Rica, to children who use wheelchairs and their parents. Bailey is an ambassador for the Life Rolls On foundation as well, a non-profit (501c3) that promotes active lifestyles for young people who have sustained spinal cord injuries.
Santa Cruz, California
Santa Cruz is the county seat and largest city of Santa Cruz County, California in the US. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, Santa Cruz had a total population of 59,946...
, CA
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
), is an American professional surfer, known for his experience as a surf safari guide and skill as a big wave surfer and skateboarder.
Bailey moved back to Santa Cruz, California in the fall of 2003. He was a professional surfer and skateboarder, spending his winter months in Central America (Panama
Panama
Panama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
, Costa Rica
Costa Rica
Costa Rica , officially the Republic of Costa Rica is a multilingual, multiethnic and multicultural country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east....
, Nicaragua
Nicaragua
Nicaragua is the largest country in the Central American American isthmus, bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. The country is situated between 11 and 14 degrees north of the Equator in the Northern Hemisphere, which places it entirely within the tropics. The Pacific Ocean...
, El Salvador
El Salvador
El Salvador or simply Salvador is the smallest and the most densely populated country in Central America. The country's capital city and largest city is San Salvador; Santa Ana and San Miguel are also important cultural and commercial centers in the country and in all of Central America...
) as a back country surf guide and summers back in Santa Cruz. On July 23, 2006, during the filming of a skateboarding video at Derby skatepark in Santa Cruz, Bailey crashed on his skateboard, fracturing several vertebrae in his back (L3,L4,S3), damaging his spinal cord in the process, which left him paralyzed from the waist down as a result.
Since his injury, Bailey's sponsors (Surftech, Roush Creations, Hotline wetsuits, Volcom, Electric Sunglasses, Santa Cruz Skate Shop & Aloha Island) have continued to support him, giving him the opportunity to surf on tour. He participates in expression sessions on various legs of several different pro and semi-pro tours; including the ASP (Association of Surfing Professionals) WQS/WCT (World Qualifying Series & World Championship Tour) , WSA (Western Surfing Association) tour, NSSA (National Scholastic Surfing Association) tour and Volcom Crustaceous Series events.
U.S. Open of Surfing
The U.S. Open of Surfing is a week-long surfing competition held annually during the summer in Huntington Beach, California. Generally held on the south side of the Huntington Beach Pier, the U.S...
(2007,08,09,10), Hurley Pro at Lowers WCT (2008,09,10) Reef Panama Classic (2007,08), Quicksilver Pro Hossegor
Quiksilver Pro France
Quiksilver Pro France is an event on the ASP World Surfing Tour. The event is held every year at Hossegor and Seignosse in France at the end of September.- 2009 :- Precedents years :Other renowned competitors :* Kelly Slater* Taj Burrow...
(2008), NSSA National Championships (2007), WSA National Championships (2008,09,10) and the Volcom Crustacious Tour Series (2008). Bailey was the first paralyzed person to win the WSA National Championships (Trestles 2009), as well as the first paralyzed person to surf "Mavericks"
Mavericks (location)
Maverick's or Mavericks is a surfing location in Northern California, U.S.A.. It is located approximately 2 miles from shore in Pillar Point Harbor just north of Half Moon Bay at the village of Princeton-By-The-Sea. After a strong winter storm in the northern Pacific Ocean, waves can routinely...
(Half Moon Bay, California). In March 2010, Christiaan Bailey and Arron Fotheringham were selected by the IOC or International Olympic Committee
International Olympic Committee
The International Olympic Committee is an international corporation based in Lausanne, Switzerland, created by Pierre de Coubertin on 23 June 1894 with Demetrios Vikelas as its first president...
to be a part of "Team Extreme" for the Vancouver Paralympic Opening Ceremonies, showcasing the new sport of chairskating at BC Place Stadium
BC Place Stadium
BC Place is a multi-purpose stadium located at the north side of False Creek, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It serves as the home field for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League and the Vancouver Whitecaps FC of Major League Soccer . Originally opened on June 19, 1983 as the...
in front of 73,000 people. Bailey is currently one of only two professional "chairskater's", and currently remains the "only" paralyzed professional big wave surfer in the world.
Bailey is also active in many international NGO's and disability related non profit organizations. Including being CEO of the Ocean Healing Group
Ocean Healing Group
Ocean Healing Group is an international nonprofit organization that provides once in a lifetime, Costa Rica based, adaptive sports adventures and quality of life programs to children with disabilities.-History:...
, a non-profit (501c3) dedicated to providing once in a lifetime adaptive sports adventures in Costa Rica, to children who use wheelchairs and their parents. Bailey is an ambassador for the Life Rolls On foundation as well, a non-profit (501c3) that promotes active lifestyles for young people who have sustained spinal cord injuries.