Kyle Thiermann

Kyle Thiermann (born 9 January 1990) is a professional surfer, writer and podcast host from Santa Cruz, California, who has surfed professionally for his main sponsor Patagonia since 2008. He is known for combining surfing with environmental storytelling. From the ages of 18 to 25 he created and hosted the YouTube series Surfing For Change, travelling to waves around the world and making short documentaries on local issues such as the Indonesian trash problem, GMO protests in Hawaii and the effects of surf tourism in Nicaragua. His first video encouraged viewers to move money from multinational banks into local banks and credit unions. He later worked as an on-camera correspondent for Discovery Digital Networks. His awards include the Brower Youth Award, the American Clean Skies Award, the Blue Vision Youth Award and Surfrider's Pro Surfer Environmental Achievement Award.