ABOUT SOUL SURFERS
Born from a passion for surfing.
And from a desire to create opportunities for the next generation of surfers in the Dominican Republic.
Our story
What began in 2024 as a small community initiative supporting local children quickly grew into something bigger. That initiative became Soul Surfers Foundation, which we still run today.
Through consistent coaching, mentorship and access to the right resources, young surfers began developing not only their surfing, but also the discipline, confidence and values to grow in and out of the water.
As our athletes started achieving results in competitions, more families and surfers wanted to join the same journey. That led to Soul Surfers Academy: a structured training environment for every level, from first waves to national teams.
2024
The beginning
A new approach to surf development through structured coaching.
2025
Building the Academy
Growing our programs and the foundation for long-term development.
2026
Defining the system
The Soul Surfers method, and our first camps in El Salvador.
2027
Expanding opportunities
Six camps in El Tunco and our team competing internationally.
OUR PURPOSE
To use surfing as a path for growth, so anyone, whatever their background, can develop in and out of the water.
One purpose, lived in two ways: through the Academy and through the Foundation.
Academy mission
To provide a structured surf development pathway through high-quality coaching, education and meaningful experiences that help every surfer progress toward their own goals. Vision: to build the leading surf development platform in the Caribbean and Central America.
Foundation mission
To give children and young people from vulnerable communities in the Dominican Republic free access to surfing and holistic development, using the ocean as a tool for prevention, education and opportunity.
What we believe
Every surfer learns differently.
Long-term development beats short-term results.
Understanding creates faster progress.
Technique and physical preparation go hand in hand.
Education builds independent surfers.
Our founders
FOUNDER · HEAD COACH
Emanuel Knudsen
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Emanuel has spent more than 16 years in Cabarete, and he has given them to the ocean, to the sport and to young surfers. He is one of the people who built formative and competitive surfing here, one kid and one session at a time.
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A father and a surfer for life, he brings together years in the water and serious study: a Master's in Sports Psychology and Sports Coaching, U-Natural Method instructor, strength and conditioning coach, and ISA Level 3 judge. He trains more than technique: he works on his athletes' mindset, discipline and focus in competition.
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Through the Academy and the Foundation, his aim is simple: better surfers and better people, a higher level for Dominican surfing, and real opportunities for the next generation.
CO-FOUNDER · GENERAL MANAGER, ACADEMY · EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, FOUNDATION
Leoni Perthold
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Born in the Dominican Republic and raised on its north coast, Leoni grew up in the ocean. Half Dominican and half German, she tried every ocean sport she could, from bodyboarding to SUP, before giving herself fully to surfing.
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Today she surfs for the Dominican national team and won the bronze medal in SUP surf at the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games. She is an ISA Level 2 instructor, ISA Level 1 judge and lifeguard instructor.
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She runs the Academy day to day and leads the Foundation, where she is also Technical Director of Flores de Océano. She leads by example: she competes, she teaches and she keeps learning, so young people get more than surf skills: direction, values and real opportunities. For Leoni, the ocean is not just a passion. It is her purpose.
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One family, two sides
A surf development academy in Cabarete for every level, offering high-quality coaching at a fair price.
A registered non-profit offering free surf and development programs to kids from vulnerable communities.
The Academy's founders created the Foundation, and today it survives thanks to the Academy: our coaches teach Foundation kids for free, and part of the Academy's income covers the Foundation's most basic costs.
Our partners
Custom Chemistry Crafts
Custom boards for our surfers and prizes for our team and Foundation kids.
Flores de Océano
Our partner for the Foundation's girls' track.
Tribu
Free jiu-jitsu and self-defense classes for the girls of our Foundation.
Las Golondrinas
Gives our kids the facility where they train.
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Cabarete Surf Company
Lends foam boards and leashes for our girls, stores our boards, and opens their facility so the kids can change and shower.
Pizzicleta
Treats the girls to a weekly pizza after training or an activity.
100% Pan
Provides a weekly breakfast for all our participants.
Become a partner
Help us create more opportunities for surfers. Message us on WhatsApp or email contact@soulsurfersdr.com.