With his wetsuit zippers blown open, his flotation vest filling fast with water, and his diaphragm heaving, Andrew Stark thought his time was up.  But a monster wave on one of Hawaii’s most feared breaks was no match for Stark, a leader who thrives when faced with a threatening swell. 

Whether it’s mounting world-renowned events at Bell’s Beach or Sunset, or convincing the world that surfing is professional sport, Stark rides every wave all the way to the shore. 

A tragic family event when Stark was young forged a connection with the ocean that carries him through every tough challenge: “Surfing saved me. I could have gone in any direction, but all I wanted to do was go to the beach.” 

So with the pandemic threatening the future of all pro surfing events, he’s more determined than ever to harness that passion into a successful recovery. 

And he tells you more about that in a bonus episode, available in your podcast feed now. 

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Curveball is the show where leaders are honest about their darkest moments.  We take you inside a company at a pivotal moment, and share tips on how to thrive in challenging times.  

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