100% Hawaiian, Duane DeSoto is an astonishing Waterman and one of the greatest longboarders in the world. He lives on the island of Oahu in front of the legendary surf spot of Makaha, where he started surfing at the age of 4 with his father and uncle. As an ambassador of the Hawaiian culture, Duane is strongly committed to his traditions as well as to the environmental protection of the ocean. In order to spread this commitment to the younger generation. Duane runs an incredible non-profit awareness program called NA KAMA KAI.
Duane is one of the finest competitors on both the Longboard and SUP World Tour. He also journeys with OXBOW on discovery trips all around the globe. Duane’s search for cultural exchange and sharing reflect his personal values that demand complete harmony with nature. “The most rewarding part of surfing is being able to share its history and foundation, which is deeply rooted in Hawaii and the Pacific, with the world and most importantly with my family,” says Duane. “Surfing has come full circle in my life. When I was 4 I won my first surfing contest, and recently my 3 year old won the same contest (the Rell Sunn Menehune Surfing Classic) at Makaha Beach. My career is validated in the spirit of my family, who all carry on the surfing legacy of our ancestors.”
Duane and OXBOW have kept an exclusive relationship for nearly 20 years. Both have crossed the globe together in order to develop the technical product line and to promote the Waterman identity of the brand, and mostly importantly, to respect and embrace the ALOHA spirit.
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