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As a newcomer to the Sanuk team, Ronnie Dickson brings a unique element to the table. You see, Ronnie lost his leg above the knee almost six years ago.  Amputation required Ronnie to search for different ways to engage himself. Two years later and determined to stay positive, he found his new passion- Climbing.

We hooked up with Mr. Dickson through a series of fortunate events and soon found out he’s a rad dude with a big smile and even bigger dreams. Recently, the Sanuk Squad made their way out to Joshua Tree for an amputee climbing clinic hosted by Ronnie and his friends.

Today we’ve brought Ronnie to the blog to share some words on his story and the clinic. The following words are from the happyhead himself:

I started climbing four years ago as a recent above the knee amputee. I found climbing by chance, and have been hooked ever since. It brought together the traveling and adventure that I enjoyed with my life and also got me set with a new challenge to pour all my energy into. Climbing was cool because everybody has to learn the way their body works on the rock, and it didn’t matter that I had one leg.

I used to do all my climbing without a prosthetic leg, but over the course of the past four years I have rigged up some adaptive equipment and adapted my style to where I almost exclusively to all of my climbing with my leg on. I have accomplished things that I never thought were possible and have met many amazing people along the way.

It has always been my belief that climbing is an accessible sport for people with disabilities, so it has been my goal over the past two years to introduce as many people with disabilities to climbing as possible. I have been very successful in this, introducing hundreds of people with disabilities to climbing through various indoor clinics around the country.

My vision finally came to fruition on April 9th in the So Cal desert at Joshua Tree National Park. We were able to introduce 13 persons with disabilities to their first outdoor climbing experience. Everybody made it up to the top of the wall and was able to enjoy the mostly sunny day out in Josh after the weather settled down.

I have to say that it was wild, encountering a fifteen minute bout of snow in the fifty degree heat out in the otherwise cloudless desert, but I suppose stranger things have happened.

The clinic was made possible by many people and it was great to have the crew from Sanuk come out and join us for the day. The prosthetic foot that I have cannot be set up with sandals so it has been nice to finally find a pair of shoes that feel like sandals. There is nothing like going from a pair of climbing shoes into footwear that feels like walking on clouds.

I am already looking forward to next year. My vision has been to make this a series of clinics that travels around the country. It has been great to take my passion and be able to pass that onto others. Bottom line: If you have something that you are really excited and psyched about…

Check out the video from the event:

Smile…pass it on!

To follow Ronnie on his incredible journey visit www.takealegoff.blogspot.com

Sanuk’s Quentin Turko and Stevie Pittman have been groms on a mission! Recently, in the 2010 Rip Curl GromSearch, the boys put on quite a show. Conditions were flawless in North Carolina as Quentin took the top spot in the 12 & Under Division and Stevie bagged 3rd. Heck yeah!

(photo: via Rip Curl)

Quentin Turko holdin’ the hardware high! For more coverage of the event visit Rip Curl’s little ditty.

Pro wakeboarders- You’ve seen ‘em bustin’ moves in the hottest mags. You catch ‘em on the TV living the dream. You’ve rewound their video parts in the DVDs you own countless times. You’ve gone out and emulated their styles…or tried to. But, do you know what gear allows them to attempt the impossible?

Recently, SBCwakeboard.com sat down with Sanuk team rider, Jeff McKee in their running feature: What The Pros Are Rockin to see just what equipment has Jeff dialed in… Jeff dishes the dirt on what boards work best for him, which bindings keep him solidified, and just how important sticker placement is. Because that’s how you get all the girls. That and a big bag of…tricks. Duh!

But seriously, chicks dig a good sticker job. When it comes to stickers, Jeff is a total pro. His current masterpiece took over an hour to complete. You can bet your bottom dollar Sanuk got some primetime real estate. An even safer bet would be to place your money on Jeff as he continues to clock in massive hangtime behind the boat.

For more on Jeff get towed over at: sbcwakeboard.com. Or just visit your local lake to catch a glimpse of Jeff  in person (just look up).

Last week, the far corners of Sanuk world circled its wacky wagons in honor of our annual National Sales Summit. The two day summit was chalk full of Sanukified events including humorous and inspiring presentations from founder Jeff Kelley & squad, a killer barbecue, and even surprise gig by Donavon Frankenreiter.

Jeff Kelley and Sales Rep Nicolette Milano

Diamond Donny Layin’ it down real smooth…

The home team in full effect.

We have to admit, the Sanuk posse is one good lookin’ crew… Just look at all those happy humans! If you want the full down-low on this year’s summit, hop on over to Olas Blog (That’s where these photos came from). We just hope you’ve brushed up on your Swedish…

Hoot! Hoot! No, that’s not the guy you dropped in on calling you off the wave…It’s the night owl and he’s bigger than ever! Nightwalkers, it’s time to grab your infrared goggles, neon wax and a whole lot of caffeine because Project Save Our Surf is about to take night-surfing to a whole new level.

Can you say “24-hour surf-a-thon”?

Photo via: Project Save Our Surf

Project Save Our Surf has been on a mission to recruit nocturnal gnar-shredding surf squads for great cause. Founder, Tanna Frederick understands there are “a lot of people who think that night-time surfing is sacred”.

As a Santa Monica native and avid ocean-enthusiast, Tanna began to see just how much havoc pollution has been reeking at her home break. With Project Save Our Surf, her goal is to “bring people together, celebrating our oceans, and figure out what are our steps going to be from a positive standpoint”.

Project SOS’s newest and biggest mission to date will happen this weekend in Huntington Beach, California. That’s right, Surf City USA will host Project Save Our Surf’s newest event called, SURF 24, a full-fledged mash-up of professional and celebrity surfers all battling it out in a 24hr surf-a-thon. The end goal is to increase public awareness on the perils of ocean pollution.

Tanna collaborated with surf legend Pete “PT” Townend to make a surf event truly off the beaten path. Project SOS is a festival and entertainment event all wrapped into a big fundraiser. Tanna says, the event “isn’t just about competition. It’s about preserving our oceans”. Huzzah!

Photo via: OrangeCounty.com

SURF 24 will run through Saturday night and into the wee hours of Sunday morning (which just happens to be International Surfing Day). Fear not creepy-crawlies, the midnight water will be lit with huge stadium lights.

On top of the contest, Surf 24 will have nearly 40 eco-village booths, six bands crankin’ tunes, and even a grassy knoll showing of 80’s surf classic North Shore. Project Save Our Surf will be donating Surfrider Foundation, Heal the Bay, and Inside the Outdoors Foundation. Many members from the Sanuk team will be there. So come get weird! Even if you cannot make it down, you can help raise money either by making donations at the event or skipping over to the Project Save Our Surf webby.

Make note surfnauts and friends of the environment, SURF 24 definitely has some magic up its sleeves. For full the 411 pop on over to their site…