Outside The Bay with Damien Cole from Varuna Surfboards

In this episode we catch up with Damien Cole, former CEO of Varuna surfboards.

The surfboard industry is a fickle beast; it owes nobody anything and we are regularly reminded of this.  Earlier this year Varuna surfboards closed its doors for the last time.  Varuna surfboards was a new type of wooden construction with a focus on reducing the environmental impact as well as improving the lives of Indonesians who had experienced large scale deforestation.

It was great to catch up with 'Damo' and discuss his colorful journey over the last several years.  You see, Damo was not your typical CEO that exists in a world of buzz words and networking soirees.  Damo is grass roots.

After embarking on a career in the mines, he pivoted into environmental science, which subsequently led to him putting his hand up as an independent candidate in the local state election.  If that was not taxing enough, he agreed to become an organiser in the 'Fight for the Bight' campaign - a movement against oil drilling exploration in the southern waters of Australia.

Damo experienced two severe brain injuries over the last few years.  He talks about going through some tough times and dark moments in his recovery.  His resilience is only matched by his intelligence, and I have nothing but respect for what he has achieved.  Unfortunately, the timing of his last head injury could not have come at a worst time and the realisation of how big a task Varuna was, had become clear... it was time to call it a day.

I really hope you enjoy our chat.

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