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Kyle Thiermann (born January 9, 1990) is a professional surfer, writer, podcast host, and filmmaker from Santa Cruz, California.[1]
Kyle Thiermann | |
|---|---|
 Kyle Thiermann in front of surf boards in his backyard | |
| Born | January 9, 1990 |
| Citizenship | United States of America |
| Alma mater | Gaia University |
| Occupation(s) | Surfer, Journalist, Environmental activist |
| Employer(s) | Patagonia,[2] MUD/WTR, Santa Cruz Waves Magazine |
| Organization | Surfing For Change[3] |
| Website | The Kyle Thiermann Show |
Career
editKyle Thiermann is a journalist, podcast host and filmmaker. He currently works as the Head of Editorial at MUD\WTR.
From 2014-2017, he worked with Discovery Digital Networks as an on-camera correspondent.[4] He frequently appears on their Seeker Stories, DNews, and VR channels. He also works closely with his main surf sponsor, Patagonia a company he has surfed for professionally since 2008.[2][5]
In 2018, Thiermann co-created The Motherfucker Awards with author Chris Ryan.[6] At a sold-out gala in LA, famous comedians represented the corporations that did the most to screw Mother Earth and gave acceptance speeches on their behalf. The aim of the show is to create corporate accountability through comedy.
Thiermann speaks at universities throughout the country and in 2011 he gave a TEDx Talk in his wetsuit.[7] His surfing and film making successes have earned him the Brower Youth Award,[8] American Clean Skies Award,[9] Blue Vision Youth Award,[10] and Surfrider's Pro Surfer Environmental Achievement Award.[11]
Early career
editFrom ages 18–25, Thiermann created and hosted the YouTube series Surfing For Change. His channel has more than 2.5 million views. While traveling to the best waves around the world, Thiermann created gonzo-style mini-documentaries about current environmental issues happening in the regions. In the series, Thiermann focused on the power people have to create a better world through everyday decisions.[12]
His first YouTube video in the series details how money kept in multinational banks can be used to finance destructive projects all over the world. This video inspired people to move millions of dollars out of centralized banks and into local banks and credit unions, and reached people throughout North America, South America, Africa and much of Europe.[12]
Thiermann explains, “Because I see a big disconnect between the people who are doing awesome work in world and their ability to communicate that work with the rest of world. I see myself as a conduit between people and big organizations, and I package their stories in a way that is digestive enough so that they can take action."[13]
Thiermann has covered controversial stories all over the world. These stories have included the Indonesian trash epidemic, GMO protests in Hawaii, working conditions in Sri Lanka, nuclear power in South Africa, and the adverse effects of surf tourism in Nicaragua. He graduated from Gaia University with a Bachelors of Science in Green Business with a focus in Media.
References
edit- ^ a b Thiermann, Kyle (2018-02-07). "Is Pro Surfing a Dead-End Career?". The Inertia. Retrieved 2024-03-30.
- ^ a b Conley, Mark (2022-09-22). "Only one billionaire's legacy? Santa Cruz's Patagonia ambassador reflects on Chouinard's gift to Earth". Lookout Santa Cruz. Retrieved 2024-03-30.
- ^ "Surfing For Change // Indonesia // 13:43". Surfer. 2013-09-28. Retrieved 2024-03-30.
- ^ "Kyle thiermann on Science. World. Exploration. Seek for yourself". Science. World. Exploration. Seek for yourself. Retrieved 2016-09-28.
- ^ "Patagonia". Patagonia Ambassadors. Patagonia. Retrieved 2016-09-28.
- ^ Weisberg, Zach (2018-11-28). "Kyle Thiermann Launches the MotherF**ker Awards!". The Inertia. Retrieved 2024-03-30.
- ^ "Watch "TEDxSantaCruz: Kyle Thiermann - Surfing For Change" Video at TEDxTalks". TEDxTalks. Retrieved 2016-09-28.
- ^ "Kyle Thiermann". 2011-09-26. Retrieved 2016-09-28.
- ^ "Kyle Thiermann Does it Again!". Sector 9. Retrieved 2016-09-28.
- ^ "Kyle Thiermann Receives Blue Frontier's Peter Benchley Youth Award". Vimeo. Retrieved 2016-09-28.
- ^ "Surfrider Presents: The 9th Annual John Kelly Environmental Awards Party". Retrieved 2016-09-28.
- ^ a b Weisberg, Zach (14 October 2015). "$360M Can't Be Wrong; Why Kyle Thiermann Redefines "Cool"". Retrieved 2016-09-28.
- ^ Archer, Greg (2014-03-13). "Agents of Change: 6 Inspiring People Worthy Of Your Attention Right Now | Huffington Post". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 2016-09-28.