OUR AMBASSADORS
Beyond those actions, we also support young talented surfers on the path of their professional career. Currently, we sponsor six young surfers on the WQS tour of the world surf league.
PUAMAKAMAE DE SOTO
Puamakamae DeSoto is a 9x National Champion, professional surfer, and cultural ambassador from Mākaha, Hawai‘i. A trailblazer in the sport, she made history by winning both the Shortboard and Longboard NSSA National Championships in the same summer and claimed the 2023 Hawai‘i/Tahiti Nui Junior Championship title. She was also named Buffalo Keaulana Waterwoman of the Year (2018) for her excellence across multiple ocean disciplines. Featured in Amazon Prime’s Surf Girls Hawai‘i, Pua represents the next generation of Native Hawaiian surfers, balancing competition with cultural responsibility. A business student at Pepperdine University, she is also a fluent Hawaiian speaker, published poet and photographer, and a dedicated community leader, having served 1000+ hours with Nā Kama Kai to educate youth on ocean safety and Hawaiian traditions. @puadesoto is a rising force in professional surfing, bridging the past and future of the sport.
KALANOWEO DESOTO
Kalānoweo DeSoto is a Native Hawaiian waterman, professional surfer, and cultural leader from Mākaha, Hawai‘i. A standout barrel rider and air specialist in shortboarding, he excels across multiple ocean disciplines, winning the 2024 Buffalo Big Board Classic Bodysurfing Championship, the 2025 Alaia Championship at the Mel Pu‘u Waterman Championships, and the 2025 Da Hui Backdoor Shootout Longboard Championship. A fluent Hawaiian language speaker and Nā Kama Kai mentor with 500+ hours of service, he is dedicated to educating the next generation on ocean safety, cultural traditions, and environmental stewardship. Beyond competition, Kalanoweo is also a skilled craftsman and photographer, using storytelling to preserve and honor the legacy of Hawaiian watermen. His blend of athleticism, cultural knowledge, and leadership positions him as a rising force in both professional surfing and community advocacy.
FANTIN HABASHI
Fantin is one of the few Swiss surfers who has been qualified for the Junior World Championships.
Because he was seeking support and our fund is based in Switzerland we decided to support this young talent.He can thus proudly wear the colors of Switzerland against the great nations of surfing.
Instagram: @fantin40
BRENICE ALAMA
Brenice is yet another young talented surfer native of Hawaii. At only 13 years old, she was quickly spotted at her home spot of Makaha on the west side of Oahu. She also proudly represents her community by giving of her time and taking culture and tradition very seriously
RED HERRINGS
Since 2020, Smile Wave Fund committed to support the Red Herrings team of Portuguese big wave riders Francisco Roque de Pinho and Lourenço Katzenstein which home spot is the famous Nazaré. Our goal is to support this team on their path to professional big wave riding career and access to the World Surf League big wave tour.
The team also builds social or environmental activities in Portugal for our organization.
SUNG MIN CHO
Sung Min Cho aka “Mini” is a surfer from Mozambique, born in the small town of Inhambane. Mini started surfing at the age of 14, which is relatively late for an athlete, but he quickly reached such a high level that he is now ready to compete. Currently, he is responsible for the Mozambican branch of the association “surfers not street children” that we actively support. Mini wants to become the first surfer to represent Mozambique on the international surfing scene as well as to inspire and educate young people in his region to take action as the guardian of their playground, the Ocean.
According to Mini, “the ocean offers us so much that it is only fair to give back what it offers us by preserving it”
Instagram : @_minicho
