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Our Founders
Meet the visionaries behind Soul Surfers — leaders, mentors, and surfers committed to shaping the next generation through the transformative power of the ocean.
Leoni Perthold
Born in the República Dominicana and raised on the country’s north coast, Leoni Perthold grew up with the ocean. Half Dominican and half German, her journey has always been deeply connected to the sea — not only as a sport, but as a space for learning, discipline, and personal growth.
From a young age, she practiced various ocean disciplines, including bodyboarding and other water activities, before deciding over three years ago to fully dedicate herself to surfing. Now 24, she is a member of the Dominican National Surf Team, a certified ISA Level 2 Instructor, ISA Level 1 Judge, and Lifeguard Instructor, continually expanding her education to guide the next generation with excellence.​
Leoni is co-founder of Soul Surfers and, as Executive Director, leads by example: she competes, teaches, and continues to grow professionally to provide young people not only with athletic skills, but with direction, values, and real opportunities.​
For Leoni, the ocean is not just a passion — it is her purpose. Through Soul Surfers, she works to ensure that more young people can discover their potential both in and out of the water.
Emanuel Knudsen
Founder of Soul Surfers and one of the driving forces behind the development of formative and competitive surfing in Cabarete, República Dominicana. At 43 years old and with more than 16 years living in Cabarete, he has dedicated his life to the ocean, the sport, and the holistic development of young surfers.
A devoted father and passionate surfer, Emanuel combines extensive water experience with strong academic preparation. He holds a Master’s degree in Sports Psychology and Sports Coaching, allowing him to develop not only his athletes’ physical performance, but also their mental strength, discipline, and competitive focus.​
He is a certified U-Natural Method instructor, strength and conditioning coach, and ISA Level 3 certified judge, giving him a deep technical and regulatory understanding of international competitive surfing.​ As a high-performance coach, he has guided young talents through structured development processes that integrate technique, physical preparation, competition strategy, and a winning mindset.​
Through the Soul Surfers Foundation and Academy, Emanuel works with a clear purpose: to shape not only better surfers, but better individuals, using surfing as a tool for social transformation, discipline, and personal growth.
His mission is clear — to elevate the level of Dominican surfing and create real opportunities for the next generation, both in and out of the water.
Rikelvis Rodríguez Bretón
Rikelvis Rodríguez Bretón, conocido como Ricky, es un apasionado del surfing y cofundador de Soul Surfer. Criado entre la República Dominicana y Venezuela desde muy temprana edad, encontró desde joven en el océano un espacio de crecimiento personal, disciplina y conexión con la naturaleza.
From a young age, she practiced various ocean disciplines, including bodyboarding and other water activities, before deciding over three years ago to fully dedicate herself to surfing. Now 24, she is a member of the Dominican National Surf Team, a certified ISA Level 2 Instructor, ISA Level 1 Judge, and Lifeguard Instructor, continually expanding her education to guide the next generation with excellence.​
Leoni is co-founder of Soul Surfers and, as Executive Director, leads by example: she competes, teaches, and continues to grow professionally to provide young people not only with athletic skills, but with direction, values, and real opportunities.​
For Leoni, the ocean is not just a passion — it is her purpose. Through Soul Surfers, she works to ensure that more young people can discover their potential both in and out of the water.