Help Us Restore Surfing's Sacred Roots

Why We Need Your Help

Your donation will help us:

Create a world wide movement or a dedicated tribe of Oceanic, planetary, spiritual warriors who are all of the same mind. Having reverence for the gift of the ocean and keeping a watch on it's well being, along with the planet.

Create a hub for communication of it's members so that all may share and work together for common goals and the betterment of mankind.

Host ceremonial seminars and surf gatherings to increase awareness and consciousness through modalities like Meditation, yoga, and other esoteric practices.

Produce a documentary film on the forgotten origins of surfing and its indigenous roots.

Fund consciousness raising seminars and retreats.

Create a line of inspirational surf clothing and Gear to support our goals

Our Mission

To restore surfing as a form of yoga—a practice of deep union (yuj) with the sea and sky

To offer spiritual teachings, ceremonies, and gatherings for those drawn to the water’s edge.

Create a line of inspirational surf clothing and Gear to support our goals

To create a new culture rooted in ecology, Indigenous wisdom, and ancient soul remembering

To mentor youth, eco-surfers, and soul seekers, bringing reverence and depth to surf culture.

FOUNDER

Roger "Thunder” Gilbert

Roger "Thunderhands” Gilbert

Is an award winning author of a book on Indigenous and Taoist philosophy, with other books on advanced meditation, and a fictional novel. He is an historian and practitioner of Indigenous Shamanistic ritual, and wisdom teachings of North American Tribes. He has delved deeply into the Ancient Hindu / Taoist yogic practices of Kriya, Tantra, and “Circulation of the Microcosmic orbit” Meditations. Having been initiated into Kriya Yoga in 1986 he is a practicing Yogi, and Spiritual Teacher. You can also add to the mix, Surfing, Martial Artist (black Belt), Jazz (percussionist) Musician, and Fully Rated Pilot’

A VISION

“Thunder,” Through his studies has intimate knowledge of the ritual and Shamanic practices of the indigenous people of north America, and other cultures. This gave him the enlightened insight of how all things are connected and we are all one, or 'Mitakuye Oyasin” which means,“ All my Relations, in the Lakota Tradition. He feels that the Planet earth with it's Oceans, Mountains and Sky are all one consciousness and an actual expression of supreme consciousness, Yoga or Oneness between the Planets and the Cosmos.

Ancient Soul, Surfing Association is a visionary concept and idea. In short the concept is love for the Ocean and Surfing and realizing what a beautiful way Mother Earth expresses herself through this fluid mass we call the Ocean. And better yet, how Ancient surf riders dating back to 2000 BC, through history, have been doing this exact ritual. This was and is a sacred act of oneness with the planet not just riding a wave. A way to experience the rhythms of energy from mother Earth and Ocean. A type of Planetary Tantra or Yoga. The Lakota say water is life. A healing and spiritual part of nature. Understanding this concept, and bringing it to the surf community, and others, was the next necessary step. Teach others and spread the word about the powerful healing effects of connecting and feeling the true connection to the Creative Conscious Universe. You can call that connection Great Spirit, God or whatever you want. But that's what it is. Surfing Yoga is a direct path through, direct experience.

The Ancient Soul Surfer

In a timeless sea of ripples from eternity, a wave is formed from the wind and turbulent thunderstorms of the west, called “Varuna.” The great Thunder Birds flap their wings and the lighting bolts of “Vajra” create a turbulence upon the surface of the great Oceanus.

A rhythmic flow of energy is born upon the waters and flows outward in concentric waves of energy. This is the pulse of of the planet called by some, “The spirit that moves in all things.”

As these waves of energy flow in the Goddess ocean called “Moana,” they build in momentum and speed like spirits bound for a distant shore. The indigenous ancient mariners, fisherman, and royalty of the Pacific Island Chains, had a deep reverence for the gods and goddess's of this deep, blue/green, fluid mass.

They lived their lives always in tune with the natural flow of nature, They paid homage, honor, and respect to the supernatural order. They planned their life journey in accordance with the wind, tides, and rain. They grew their crops, fished, and made voyages upon the great oceanic waters.

As they navigated upon these pacific waters, they used the stars to guide them on their journeys of exploration. They were one with the cosmic order of things and knew, that they themselves were an integral part of all that existed.

But who was the first intrepid soul who stood upon a white sandy beach and watched with awe, at the great rhythmic energy called waves as they moved toward the shore? He must have watched them with reverence, as they flowed over the green reef, rose in monumental heights, crested, and then exploded in a volcanic mountain of fury, only to dissipate upon the shore.

Who was this sentient warrior being that decided to build a different kind of boat, made of the trees born from mother earth? What vision moved him to ride it, so as blend with the energy of the waves, to experience an exhilarating ride, and to have union with this powerful goddess of the sea.

This was the “Ancient Soul Surfer” who lives on in the hearts, minds, and souls of those would follow his quest, to be in oneness with the eternal planetary consciousness. To ride the energetic waves of Mother Earth herself, in a healing act of surrender.

Matt Farris

CO-FOUNDER

Matt started surfing at young age. He was on a trip to Hawaii, with his father who put him on a board and pushed him into a wave at Waikiki. Every since that time it has been a love affair with the ocean and waves. Fast forward to today, and Matt's love for the ocean and humanity reflects in his job. He is on the San Francisco fire department as a member of it's surf rescue team, and is a qualified medic of long standing. He also is on the front lines as a fire fighter, recently battling the horrendous fire in California. His spiritual side combines Buddhist teachings, meditation, and the martial arts. He has also been involved, and took a special interest in the teachings of “Fools Crow,” a Lakota Medicine man, which he was introduced to, by his Uncle Tut. Matt Currently lives in the Bay area and is very active in the surfing community.

Ride the Wave of Spirit: Support the Ancient Soul Surfing Association

What if surfing was more than a sport? What if it was a form of yoga—an ancient path of union with the ocean, the Earth, and the breath of the cosmos?

The Ancient Soul Surfing Association is a spiritual movement. A tribal return. A reawakening of surfing as a sacred act—not just thrill, but truth.

We are reviving an ancestral tradition that predates the known history of surfing. Long before it was competition, it was ceremony. A dance between human and wave. A yogic act of balance and surrender.