Bruce Fowler

Born is Santa Barbara California. Began surfing in 1959 at the Santa Barbara Sand Bar aka Sandspit on a freebie demolished surfboard that Bruce reshaped at age eight. Studied his craft and became a bonafide shaper by age 17 when he opened his first surf shop in Goleta California while going to college.

Well traveled, Bruce has been active in the surfing industry both as a retailer and manufacturer for decades. Was considered one of the top sailboard designers during the windsurfing boom of the 1980's while operating his "Surfing Underground" factory in Santa Barbara. During that time Bruce & the late Bob Krause were awarded for designing the 2nd fastest wind powered hull in the world as tracked by radar.

One night in August of 1990, Bruce was in a single car accident near Summerland California on a bad stretch of road that two previous accidents had occurred in the same year. With less than a one percent survival rate he suffered "severe brainstem trauma" and was placed in ICU remaining in very deep coma for several days. Miraculously he rallied around coming out of coma, but was quadriplegic. After ten days he was transferred to the Santa Barbara Rehabilitation Institute where he underwent Physical & Occupational Therapy. After 8 weeks, he had regained some use of his legs enabling him to walk. He was released while continuing out patient therapy and was classified as "severely disabled". Bruce began developing his own therapies for the next two years determined to regain his life. His comeback has been dramatic and a source of inspiration to many, and he has both spoken & visited patients with similar such challenges in order to provide hope and comfort to patients and ones dear to them.

Married with one son, Charles, currently 26 years old living in Seattle, Washington. His wife Mary is retired flight crew for TWA, then American Airlines before announcing her formal retirement. The couple have traveled extensively to NZ, Europe, Hawaii, and Mexico while enjoying Mary's airline perks.