Ironmen of Surfing
from the Past to Present...
This site is dedicated to those in pursuit of the art of big wave surfing who became known as the Ironmen of Surfing...
Ironmen of Surfing's
"Next Generation Hall of Fame"
Shawn Dollar - The surfer who impressed the masses, a big wave charger from Santa Cruz ... Dollar's Dec. 21, 2012, wave at Cortes Bank officially has measured at 61 feet, breaking the world record for largest wave ever paddled into making him a fixture of premier big wave surfing ... More Click Here
Shane Dorian - A fearless surfer from Hawaii's Big Island, Shane's lengthy resume of accomplishments includes costarring in the 1998 big-wave melodrama In God's Hands, winning the 1999 Rip Curl Bells and 2000 Billabong…More Click Here
Toby Cunningham - After winning the Billabong XXL in 2003 for paddling into the biggest wave in the world, he traveled as a professional big wave ... More Click Here
Andy Irons - He was going home. Andy Irons one of the greatest surfers of all time, passed away on November 2nd while traveling back to his beloved Ile of Kauai... More Click Here
Garrett McNamara - This record-setting Big Wave surfer Garrett McNamara has said that the new generation of surfers in Portugal could produce some world champions, both on small and on big waves... More Click Here
Andrew Cotton- Fearless British big wave surfer Andrew Cotton has successfully tackled what many are calling the 'biggest wave ever' off the coast of Portugal... More Click Here
Albee Layer - might not have had the biggest wave of them all at Jaws this season, but he pushed the level of performance over and over, session after session. And that earned him his first-ever nomination in the Surfline Best Overall Performance category at the 2014 WSL Big Wave Awards...More Click Here
Darrick Doerner - goes big, and he has been going big for quite some time. A Hawaiian resident for more almost 30 years, Doerner is originally from California. He first surfed at five years old in France and continued as a teenager in southern California. At 13 years old he moved to the Big Island where he “barely graduated from high school.” Growing up Doerner admired surfers from Duke Kahanamoku to Reno Abellira-surfers who surfed Hawaiian waves with style and passion...More Click Here
Kelly Slater - May 29, 2013 · Kelly Slater is the most successful surfer of all time. ... thrill seekers are surfing big waves on inner-city rivers. Kelly Slater: 'Surfing is my religion'…
Eric Akiskalian - Global Big Wave Adventure Surfer with multiple Billabong XXL Big Wave Award Entries and Nominations, Eric currently holds the record for riding the biggest wave ever surfed in the Pacific Northwest Region at 65'. He's also the owner of Towsurfer.com and dedicated to promoting the responsible growth of eXtreme surfing and the elite watermen that hunt down massive surf. His commitment and dedication to the sport has made him one of the most respected surfers, promoters and leaders of our time... More Click Here
Brock Little - well-documented rise in the late '80s, big waves were for old guys. One had to become established through years of preparation and paying dues before challenging the elite arenas around the world. But to a teenage Little, it was child's play. Through the early '90s, he repeatedly upped the ante, invigorating a generation of youngsters to paddle out on days that had been previously reserved for surfing's elders. Today's crop of chargers grew up under Little's example...More Click Here
Bruce Irons - There are so many stories to tell about this guy and big wave that we just didn't know where to start. So will just start by letting you hear it from his own mouth about his scariest moment ever... More Click Here
Brian Keaulana - Surfing Rescue Pioneer and a life spent on the ocean has taught Hawaiian watermen the ways of the giant wave... More Click Here
Clifton James "C.J." Hobgood - is an Association of Surfing Professionals World Championship surfer. C.J. has a twin brother, Damien Hobgood. They both compete in top-tier professional surfing events around the world... More Click Here
Cory Lopez - He paddled into Teahupoo for the first heat of the morning with only two years of world tour experience. A few minutes later, he paddled as the entire ocean seemingly surged toward him, stood up and swallowed him whole. He wouldn't make the wave or win the heat, but Cory Lopez ascended the ladder from trickster to legend in a matter of seconds...More Click Here
Derek Ho - is an American surfer who won the world surfing championship in 1993. Ho was born in Kailua, Hawaii. He began surfing at the age of three, and won the world title at age 29... More Click Here
Damien Hobgood - is a professional surfer from Satellite Beach, Florida. He is known for having once held the highest two-wave grand final score in pro surfing by scoring 19.9 out of 20 at The Quiksilver Pro Fiji in 2004... More Click Here
Darryl Virostko - Thirty-seven-year-old big-wave champion Darryl “Flea” Virostko and I stood on a cliff above the grey North Pacific. The wind howled. The surf spot we’d come to check folded in upon itself far below us...More Click Here
Dava Kalama - Follow your gut: Fear has taught me to trust my instincts. When I’m riding, I listen to my subconscious and let it take over in real critical situations...More Click Here
Dave Wassel - Oahu hellman on the big wave paddle renaissance. ... big wave surfing, big waves, Cloudbreak, Dave Wassel, Jaws, Paddle Surfing, Peahi, Volcom, …More Click Here
Frank Soloman - For some big wave surfers, it can take years before any sort of recognition is made. As the popularity of big wave surfing continues to grow, so to does the challenge ...
Gabriel Villaran - Yes, there is surfing magic in Peru, and it's name is Gabriel Villarán. Braves? Check. Contest results? Check. Here's a collection of moments...
Sunny Garcia - was born Vincent Sennen Garcia on January 14, 1970 in Mā'ili, on the Westside of Oahu, Hawaii. He grew up in Wai'anae and after leaving school, debuted on the 1986 Gotcha Pro at Sandy Beach, Oahu, beating the 1984 champ Tom Carroll...
Grant Twiggy Baker - 1999 - 2002 Started looking for and surfing waves over 15ft in South Africa, found them everywhere between J-bay and Cape Town…Learned from travelling surfers coming to Red Bull Big Wave Africa how to surf big waves ... More Click Here
Grant Washburn - is part of the close knit group of Northern California surfers who helped pioneer big wave surf spot, Maverick's, in the early 90's. He went on to make the first documentary film on the now world-famous spot, with the aptly titled, "Mavericks - A Documentary Film." His 1993 film was an early look at the awesome power of the spot, and "the big wave riders who dared to accept its challenge." ... More Click Here
Greg Long - (born 1984) is a Californian surfer from San Clemente, California. He is the only surfer to win the Quiksilver Big Wave Invitational, the Maverick's Surf ... More Click Here
Ian Walsh - is one wave away from history, and he’s been preparing for it all his life. Born of surfing stalk and in the water shortly after he could walk, at 16 he began surfing the mythic giant affectionately known as Jaws... More Click Here
Jamie Sterling - has no problem tackling the waves in any conditions, he's one of the elite few to have developed a reputation for being a big-wave surfer, circling the globe to track down the biggest swells... More Click Here
Jay Moriarity - (June 16, 1978–June 15, 2001) was a surfer from Santa Cruz, California. He was an accomplished surfer, waterman, and adventurer. As a surfer, he made ...
Jeff Clark - is one of the most noteworthy and respected big-wave surfers, famous for surfing Mavericks alone for 15 years before it was widely discovered by the big-wave surfing communi…More Click Here
Jeff Rowley - is a professional big wave surfer from Torquay, Victoria, Australia. On 4 January 2012, he was the first Australian to paddle into a 50 foot plus wave at Jaws Peahi, Hawaii. Rowley place…More Click Here
João de Macedo - After first standing up on a surfboard in 1989 in Praia Grande, Sintra, João went on to become one of Portugal's top young surfers, traveling and competing around the world while still keeping an active academic life…More Click Here
Brad Gerlach - Currently in his 40′s, Brad is recognized as one of the top big wave surfer’s in the world. Brad is founder and Commissioner of the National Surf League, an in-demand public speaker, corporate consultant, surfing analyst, and private surf instructor...
Ken Collins - Californian big wave charger Ken “Skindog” Collins (Santa Cruz) has trumped the world’s best big wave surfers to claim victory in the Ride Of The Year category at the Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Awards ... More Click Here
Koby Abberton - is simply one of the greatest big wave surfers that the world has ever seen... More Click Here
Kohl Christensen - is not your typical professional surfer. He holds no NSSA title, has little knowledge of the ins and outs of the ’QS, and is by no means working on a 2011 Innersection segment. His life plan is simple. He is a contractor by trade, but a big-wave surfer by heart ... More Click Here
Laird Hamilton - is an American big-wave surfer, co-inventor of tow-in surfing, and an occasional fashion and action-sports model. He is married to Gabrielle Reece, a professional volleyball player, … More Click Here
Mark Foo - I thought big Makaha and the North Shore's outer reefs were the next step for me as a surfer. I was wrong. There were lessons, to be learned at Pico Alto. One of them being: no matter where it's breaking, a big wave is a big wave. Period … More Click Here
Mark Healy - is rediscovering the essence of big wave riding and redefining the boundaries of the rideable realm as he travels the world getting massive drops and ... More Click Here
Mark Mathews - If there is one feeling in surfing that everyone from beginners to professionals all have in common, it is the amazing rush of ridding a wave bigger than any other wave you have ever ridden.... More Click Here
Mark Visser - is an Australian big wave surfer and adventure athlete. He spends his time tracking down some of the biggest waves on the planet utilising innovative ... More Click Here
Mike Parsons - If there's a man that can be said to have done it right in the surf world, it's Mike "Snips" Parsons. His career has included a top professional competitor, surf explorer, big wave legend, contest director, tow-in partner, marketing consultant and Board of Director for Surfing America.... More Click Here
Nathan Fletcher - is arguably the best all-around surfer on the planet . Huge airs, monster Pipe, some of the largest paddle-ins at places like Mavericks, Mainland Mex and...
Peter Mel - born November 24, 1969 in Santa Cruz, California, is a professional surfer and the current 2012/2013 Mavericks Invitational Surfing Champion. Mel began his surfing life in Capitola, California before moving on to Santa Cruz ... More Click Here
Ramon Navarro - Chilean big wave surfer Ramon Navarro grew up on the ocean, helping his father with his fishing business and learning to dive at an early age. Ramon has built his ... More Click Here
Richie Fitzgerald - is one of Ireland's top big wave surfers. Born and bred in Bundoran, Co. Donegal Richie still owns and runs Surfworld Bundoran in addition to his ... More Click Here
Ross Clarke-Jones - is Australian big wave surfing royalty. He's been in the mix with 80-90 foot waves on the biggest day ever surfed, he's ridden a tidal surge up the ... More Click Here
Anthony Tashnick - Born and raised in Santa Cruz California, Anthony grew up surfing world class waves on the Westside. At 16, he was the second youngest surfer to ever paddle into Mavericks. He gained acceptance from the pack, and at 20 he was the youngest to win first place at the Mavericks invitational contest. Traveling the world, hunting for the biggest waves, Anthony is a fearless animal that will paddle into anything... More Click Here
Sion Milosky - famed big wave surfer from Hawaii, died late after wiping out and being caught in a two-wave hold-down off the coast of California's infamous Mavericks Beach…
Zach Wormhoudt - 37, Santa Cruz ... Wormhoudt’s peers growing up included future big wave standouts like ... Wormhoudt’s surfing was influenced by some of the …
Julian Wilson - in his younger years, was on the cover of teen dream magazines. Now he's on the cover of the world's best surfing magazines. Jules grew up in a family of surfers on the Sunshine Coast and, ever since he can remember, he's ridden waves, so it should come as no shock that he quickly scooped national titles in both longboarding and shortboarding…
Shane Beschen - is arguably responsible for competitive surfing's acceptance of progressive maneuvers... More Click Here
Taj Burrow - is an Australian professional surfer who, as of September 2013, is competing in the ASP World Tour. Burrow was born in Yallingup, Western Australia, Australia to America... More Click Here
Mick Fanning - nicknamed "White Lightning", is an Australian professional surfer and dual world champion. Fanning won both the 2007 and 2009 ASP World Tour. He was born in Penrith, New South Wales Australia ... More Click Here
John John Florence - is a Hawaiian surfer, the oldest of three children, grew up in Hale'iwa, in an ocean-side house at the Banzai Pipeline. He resides with his mother, Alexandra, and his two younger brothers Nathan and Ivan. He was introduced to surfing by Alexandra, …
Alastair Mennie - is the most dedicated big-wave surfer in Ireland today, blending a high level of skill, commitment and determination into one unwavering challenge ... More Click Here
Jérémy Florès - is a French surfer who grew up on Reunion Island, France, where he began surfing at the age of 3. He continued his surfing development on family trips to Australia, Europe and Hawaii ... More Click Here
Chris Bertish - likes to say that he’s just a normal guy. A regular Joe facing the same life struggles as you and I. The difference with Chris is that he is willing to throw himself over the ledge of an ocean wave the size of a four story building... More Click Here
Danilo Couto - North Shore living, big-wave surfing Brazilian is carrying on Sion’s legacy of humility and hard charging. And now he’s looking to make some changes in big-wave...
Ben Wilkinson - grew up in North Narabeen, New South Wales, home to some of the most consistent and varied waves on the East coast of Australia. From the famous lefts, to The Carpark Rights, and all the way out to the Bombie, there was no shortage of waves, or rippers, to help push Ben’s game to the next level. Ben claims the Bombie as serving up his first real doses of Hawaiian style juice, but not without giving a nod to the Left, which can handle 12-15 foot on its day... More Click Here
Damian King - is an Australian professional bodyboarder. He was World Bodyboarding Champion twice, in 2003 and 2…More Click Here
Richie Vaculik - is now dedicated to MMA first and foremost, Big Wave surfing is his second passion.He is sponsored by RVCA, Electric, Reef, PCC Boards, Maxum, Rhino …
Barton Lynch - After retiring, he added big wave tow surfing to his repertoire. In 2006, he teamed up with former rival Tom Carroll to tow a historically massive swell that hit Sydney. He created The Surfers Group (a multi-faceted consultancy firm) and was chosen to coach Team Australia for the ISA Surfing Games.… More Click Here
Jamie O'Brien - is a semi-professional surfer from North Shore, Hawaii. O'Brien was born on June 9, 1983 in Hawaii and currently lives in Haleiwa. He has said that he was fortunate as a child to grow up near the Banzai Pipeline. He is one of the youngest surfers ever to win a Pipe Masters …More Click Here
Tiago Pires - is one of Portugal's most famous surfer and it is with good reason. Raised in the world surfing reserve of Ericeira, Tiago learnt how to hammer on sharp reef …More Click Here
Joel Parkinson - is an Australian surfer who competes on the ASP World Tour. After twelve years competing at the elite level on the ASP World Championship Tour, a stretch that saw him win eleven elite ASP World Title Events, plus nine additional ASP tour events, and achieve run…More Click Here
Nathan "The Hog" Hedge - is a professional surfer raised on the Northern Sydney beach of Narrabeen. Having served his apprenticeship at the highly pressurised line-up of East Coast Australia’s North Narrabeen, Nathan ‘The Hog’ Hedge has proven himself to be one of the areas most highly regarded sons. His style is characterised by both power and precision, while his control insi…More Click Here
Keith Malloy - can surf anything and everything from 2′ to 25′ waves. For many years he competed on the professional circuit... More Click Here
Dan Malloy - Surfing. Hometown Ojai, CA . ... Alternate for the Eddie Aikau big wave event ; Alternate for the Mavericks Surf Contest ; Sponsored by Haleiwa Caf ... More Click Here
Mike Stewart - is a nine-time World Champion bodyboarder, one of the early pioneers of the bodyboarding sport, a pioneer of big-wave tow-in surfing and also a champion bodysurfer... More Click Here
Guilherme Tâmega - has conquered the 2011 Arica Chilean Challenge, at the El Gringo Reef, in Chile. ... is a six-time world bodyboarding champion. Born in Brazil, Tamega won the Shark Island Challenge bodyboarding event three times in a row. He also competes in the international bodyboarding World Tour... More Click Here
Kala Alexander - While many of you may not be familiar with the name Kala Alexander, if you plan on visiting Hawaii anytime soon you might want to be ... More Click Here
Makaukai (Makua) Rothman - is an American up-and-coming big wave rider and professional surfer. Rothman was born on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii. He is the son of Eddie Rothman, founder of “Da Hui.” Da Hui, consisting of native Hawaiians, was established in the '70s purp…More Click Here
Owen Wright - has yet to win a major ASP event but he has topped the competition at the ... Big waves or small, left or right, Wright has got the right stuff…More Click Here
Clay Marzo - is a professional surfer known for his unique "double-jointed" style of turns and spins. He was raised in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii where he currently resides. Marzo has been acclaimed for his creativity and innovation as a young surfer… More Click Here
Carlos Burle - Heard of Pernambuco state, in Brazil? It's the country's best big wave zone. So, it should be no surprise that Carlos Burle, one of Brazil's best big wave surfers, comes from there... More Click Here
Bede Durbidge - WT athletes, big wave hellmen and some fresh faces converge in Fox’s latest flick. ... More Click Here
Luke Egan - If pro surfers chose the world champion themselves, Luke Egan would have ... Champion big-wave surfer Richard Schmidt will have you walking on water in ...
Dean Morrison - Apr 19, 2014 · Gold Coast big wave surfer Dean Morrison tackles a giant slab of Southern Ocean at a secret break on WA’s south coast on Good Friday...
Bradley Norris - finalists of Surfing Life's Oakley Big Wave Awards 2013/2014...
Ryan Hipwood - has made a career out of surfing the borderline impossible and “The Right” in Western Australia surely qualifies for the distinction....
Alex Gray - After catching what some are saying is the gnarliest wave in South Bay history, as a wild card entry he took down 23-of the World's best big riders...
Nic Lamb - who lays no claim to the youngest charger Mavericks' title, was 14 going on 15 at the time . When he told his mom of his adventure, she grounded him...
Brian Conley - is a pretty quirky character. Aside from riding funky boards and sporting out-of-date hairdos, he’s been known to travel with two board bags, one for boards, and the other stuffed with whole foods... More Click Here
Billy Kemper - is a "Town & Country Hawaii" rider out of Maui, Hawaii. Billy is one of Hawaii’s top young professional surfers and is one of the top 10 big wave riders in the world... More Click Here
Jamie Mitchell - Australian waterman, paddled into what fellow big wave rider Shane Dorian called a 60-foot wave in France. The session occurred at an offshore reef called Belharra near the town of Saint-Jean de Luz in the southwest corner of the Bay of Biscay... More Click Here
Kealie Mamala - World class big wave surfers, rode into surfing history last week when he towed into a monster tsunami created by ... More Click Here
Clay Wolcott - a Northshore water safety officer that dedicated his life to saving others and pushing underground Big wave riding! Helped train a lot of younger guys in water safety and towsurfing... More Click Here
Kaeo Lopez - this young man is a Black Belt Naga Champion in Jiu Jitsu.. Power surfer and Big wave charger... More Click Here
Chuck Patterson - takes to the surf of Hawaii in Willy Bogner film 'Skiing Hawaii' in ski boots and custom-made… More Click Here
Todd Chesser - was scheduled to fly to Maui to stunt-surf a death scene for TriStar's big-wave drama In God's Hands. But the surf was good in Oahu, so he stayed home, and at 9:00 A.M. paddled with two friends into the lineup at Outside Alligator Rock. Chesser drowned two hours later, after getting caught inside by a 25-foot set...
Cody Graham - In 1997, he was out with fellow big wave surfer Todd Chesser, when a 25-foot wave pulled both of them under. Chesser died that day and Graham was revived by a lifeguard. Another serious wipe out in 2000 put an end to Graham's surfing career...
Robbie Page - surfer from Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia; winner of the 1988 Pipeline Masters. Page was born (1967) and raised in Sydney, and ...
Kirk Passmore - 32, a big wave surfer from Carlsbad, California who has lived on the North Shore of Oahu for the past two years, died surfing Wednesday, November 13 2014 ...
Ryan Augenstein - is among the people hooked on the annual Mavericks big wave surf contest's most noticeable … More Click Here
Tyler Fox - has been surfing big waves for 13 years. He's competed in the Mavericks Ivitational twice, placing 4 in the last contest. He's also been ... More Click Here
Adur Letamendia - has conquered the Punta Galea Eve Challenge, in the Basque Country, Spain. The Zarautz big wave surfer took the highest prize money and the … More Click Here
Will Skudin - is an internationally-recognized big wave surfer and is Vice President of Skudin Surf... More Click Here
Marcos Monteiro - claimed victory at the 2011 Quiksilver Ceremonial Punta De Lobos Big Wave Invitational, in Pichilemu, Chile... More Click Here
Aaron Ungerleider - Originally from Pacific Palisades, Calif., Ungerleider came to the islands as an 18-year-old tennis player for the University of Hawaii at Manoa. He now resides at Sunset Beach on the North Shore... More Click Here
Natxo Gonzalez - scores a perfect ride during the Semifinals of the Big Wave World Tour Punta Galea Challenge on the Basque Coast of Spain on December 11, 2014...
Rusty Long - is an explorer, journalist, professional big wave surfer, and photographer. At an early age he and his brother Greg Long (surfer) were junior lifeguards as ...
Ironmen of Surfing's staff and volunteers is searching around the world to put together the most complete list of big wave riders. Will be researching the following names listed below about their careers and gathering photos.
Please send your suggestions or anything you have to further these efforts by Clicking Here. Thanks
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David Bustamante
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Jeff 'Camel' Goulden
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Alex Martins
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Aritz Aranburu
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Colin Dwyer
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Ryan Seelbach
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Pilou Ducalme
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Axier Muniain
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George Desoto
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Aritza Saratxaga
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Jaime Fernandez
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Jeremy Rasmussen
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Tony Perez
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Keith Galbranth
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Cristian Merello
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Diego Medina
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Fernando Zegers
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Morris Tapia
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Ismael Herrero
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Camilo Hernandez
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Chad Jackson
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Indar Unaune
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Eric Rebiere
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Shane Desmond
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Guillermo Barandiaran
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Travis Payne
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Ibon Amatrian
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Jon Garai
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Miguel Tudela
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Rafael Velarde
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Kodiak Semsch
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Tamil Martino
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Alejo LDM
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Renzo Zazzali
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Sabastian De Romana
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Rafael Otero
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Juan Antonio Gordillo
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Frank Solomon
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Christian Morello
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Reinaldo Ibarra
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Rafael Tapia
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Leon Vicuna
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Jacob Soto
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Fabian Farias
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Matthew Bromley
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Albee Layer
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Mike Schlebach
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James Taylor
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Simon Lowe
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Josh Redman
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Andrew Marr
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James Lowe
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Jeremy Johnson
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Aaron Gold
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Billy Kemper
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Shawn Walsh
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Kai Lenny
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Tyler Larronde
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Francisco Porcella
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DK Walsh
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Marico Freire
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Josh Kerr
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Derek Dunfee
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Nick Vaughn
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Coco Nogales
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Diego Petrusso
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Vincent Yazbek
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Chapman Murphy
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Indar Unanue
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Patrick Gudauskas
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Tanner Gudauskas
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Dane Gudauskas
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Paul Morgan