Surfing Swami Foundation Ropes In Morgan Maassen As Ambassador

EE News Desk Mar 14, 2024

The Surfing Swami Foundation, organisers of India's inaugural International Stand-Up Paddling (SUP) event, the India Paddle Festival, has appointed Morgan Maassen, an acclaimed filmmaker and award-winning photographer in the surfing world, as their ambassador. Maassen's role will be instrumental in furthering the foundation's mission and vision, advocating for its initiatives, and broadening its global outreach to surfing communities.

Bringing a wealth of experience in filmmaking, and visual arts, and an influential presence in the surfing industry, Maassen is poised to make a significant impact in his new role. His dedication to philanthropy and community empowerment has been evident throughout his distinguished career.

As Foundation Ambassador, Maassen, will utilise his extensive network and influential platform to raise awareness about the foundation's pivotal projects and campaigns. Catalysing change, he will inspire others to engage with and support the Surfing Swami Foundation's endeavours in India.

In accepting his new role, Maassen expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "I am deeply honoured to join Surfing Swami Foundation as Ambassador and advisor. I am eager to contribute to the incredible work already being done and to help drive positive change in communities around the world. Together, we can make a tangible difference."

Hailing from Santa Barbara, California, Maassen has collaborated with renowned global brands such as Apple, Nike, Mercedes Benz, Estee Lauder, Corona, Vuori, Lululemon, Breitling, Amazon, Audi, Disney, Red Bull, Barney's, NRG, Microsoft, Facebook, Wilson, Urban Outfitters, Patagonia, Warner Music Group, Virgin Records, Delta Airlines, Samsung, Mini Cooper, NBC Universal, Volvo, Monster Energy, Lexus, Hyundai, Jack Johnson, Nixon, Penguin Publishing, Standard Vision, Tommy Bahama, and Verizon Wireless.

His portfolio has been featured in the pages of publications worldwide, including Vanity Fair, Harper's Bazaar, Wired, National Geographic, Outside, New York Times, Elle, Condé Naste Traveler, Instyle, Esquire, Marie Claire, The Daily Mail, The Red Bulletin, Juxtapoz, ESPN, Monster Children, Surfer, Zig-Zag, Paris Match, and La Repubblica. Additionally, Maassen has shared his expertise as a guest lecturer at prestigious institutions and organisations such as Stanford, UCLA, Atlantic Center for the Arts, Meta, and Columbia Sportswear.

Speaking on the partnership, Rammohan Paranjape, Director, SSF, said, “We are thrilled to onboard Morgan as the ambassador of the foundation. We have known each other for the past 15 years and share a very good personal and professional bond. He is someone who shares the same values as us and works towards achieving that vision. We hope that this partnership will bring positive changes that we have thought of. We look forward to working together and benefiting the surfing community not just in India but also globally.”

The partnership announcement coincided with the conclusion of the India Paddle Festival held at Sasihithlu Beach, Mangalore, Karnataka. Over 50 stand-up paddlers from countries including Spain, Hungary, Denmark, South Korea, Thailand, Japan, and Indonesia showcased their skills during the event. This three-day cultural and sporting extravaganza, organized by the Surfing Swami Foundation and presented by the Karnataka Government, also featured thrilling adventure documentaries like ‘It Is This’, ‘In Search of the Storm’, and ‘Powerstar’, along with other short films each day. The event garnered support from Bollywood luminaries such as Suniel Shetty, Shilpa Shetty, and Pooja Hegde, as well as top Indian sports personalities like KL Rahul and Chirag Shetty.