Michael Bonds
Michael Bonds is Goldstrand’s poster child and loyal advocate since nearly the beginning. He is a regular on the contest podium and a top ranked NSSA surfer in both shortboard and longboarding. Additionally, he is an incredible, sought after quarterback for St. Francis High School. Our favorite characteristics of MB are his world class sportsmanship and his easy going charisma. He is often seen mentoring young kids aiming to perform at his level and returning lost boards to fellow competitors, during his heat. With a solid foundation, he exemplifies the kind of leader able to achieve grand results and bring up everyone around him while doing it. His affiliation with Goldstrand has been resoundingly edifying and growing with him is an honor we don’t take lightly. His impact on global mobility is immeasurable and we can reasonably submit that his surfing talent has transformed villages… yes…entire villages in developing regions around world. We are excited to see his future unfold.
April Matulich
It's the story of Something Special, the surfboard. It's began like any other custom order, but became Something Special after studying the natural style and grace of Goldstrand surfer, April Matulich. Before knowing her, I'd scurry to the shaping bay, session after session over a few moons, aiming to form a board to compliment her naturally flowing style. At first it felt kinda creepy... Watching her... Captivated. After a while, the shape was coming out nice and watching her surf wasn't so awkward, until she caught me! "I'm not a pervert... married-love my wife!... But, I am making a board for you," I said. She didn't seem to believe me and responded with a graceful, yet dismissing chuckle, "ya, right." I thought I was about to get slapped. With tail between legs, I didn't mention it again, until the board was finished. When It came time to tell her and I felt very, very awkward.. "Uh hi, ya.. Uhh.. I made a board for you." Again with disbelief, she kindly says, "ya, riiiight." I invited her to the shaping bay to see if I was serious or really just a creep. When she and the board connected, the moment was... "Something Special." In the water, she surfs it with incredible grace, captivating and inspiring others, the way she did me. Out of the water, April is equally amazing at yoga and has a humble attitude with a huge heart for free wheelchairs. Thank you
Severen Smith
Sevren Smith was referred to Goldstrand after moving to California, from Hawaii and has brought in more loyal Goldstrand surfers than anyone. When he came into the shaping bay to get sized up, he demonstrated respect and humility, with the confidence of a king. We assessed an intermediate ability level(oops) and sold him board designed for an intermediate surfer. A few weeks later, Goldstrand shaper Rod Sudbeck, saw him surfing and quickly realized Sev was on the wrong equipment. He is a power surfer with an extraordinary ability to gouge deep and release fins in the same motion and needed a board able to accommodate world his class talent… that was clear. Rod paddled to Sev and said, “Goldstrand underestimated you, please bring your board in so we can put you on appropriate equipment.” Soon after, Sev was riding a Goldstrand Monster, tailored to him. It was a match and he was trowin big buckits and releasing fins with his unique and powerful style… So much so, that he painted, “Ho Nah Brah!” on his board to exclaim his sentiment in true Hawaiian character(speak softly wear loud shirt). He oozes much aloha, so much that a void is felt when he leaves your presence. Should you get the opportunity to meet him, pay attention to his spirit…it’s full of charisma and you will be left with a sense of real Aloha. His heart for global mobility is huge and his talent has led to more free wheelchair gifts than we can count. Ho Nah Brah!
Dustin Hein
Taylor Sterner
Taylor Sterner’s resume is rich with experience in the action sports industry, with Goldstrand and many free wheelchair recipients greatly edified by his impact. If you're fortunate enough to get on his radar, you're going to feel the aloha he walks with and the beat of a legendary heart of gold, with raw power. Surfing with Taylor is always a fun experience and he’s often seen next to the younger generation, building confidence and helping their skills…they’re always happy when he’s in the water. He is a devoted husband and father with a family centered upbringing, making Taylor the kind of leader and visionary Goldstrand gets to grow and learn with. He has blind awareness of the many wheelchairs he impacts every year, adding to his awesome charisma.
