Danielle Holdsworth (London, Ontario, Canada)

Standup Paddle Boarder/Kayaker

I was delighted to be introduced to Danielle at the Toronto Boat Show in January 2018 when her mother came by to try a Truli.  She looked at me and said, "I think you should meet my daughter!"  A little while later, Danielle came by and all three of us immediately started gabbing like old friends, talking excitedly about paddling, women in water sports, and how happy being connected to the water made us.  She told me,

There is something about being on the water that is so serene and calming. Paddling, whether racing, touring, or playing with my kids has a way of centering me. It’s where I do my best thinking and where I can lose myself in the simplicity of nature.

From exploring the waters of the Caribbean, to competing at the International Surf Association World Championships in Denmark (September 2017), Danielle's impressive repertoire includes competing internationally in two different sports - Throughout the summer and fall, she competes in Stand Up Paddle boarding, and throughout the winter and spring she competes in Olympic Weightlifting.  She has competed at the Master's Pan American Championships for the past two years, last year bringing home a silver medal in her weight class.  It is her goal to compete in World Champions for both sports in 2019.

We're rooting for you, Danielle!
 
Beyond her life on the water, Danielle is also incredibly passionate about creating a positive body-healthy culture for women.  As an elementary school teacher, she's in an amazing position to have a positive effect on her students.  As a young person herself, she struggled with body image, constantly trying (and of course failing) to achieve the perfect “magazine” body.

It was through sport that I learned our bodies are so much more than a shell to be consumed. I learned that my body is an incredible tool that allows me to accomplish so many amazing things. My “thick” legs are muscular, and provide an incredible amount of power when I paddle. My broad shoulders give me a fantastic platform on which to develop the musculature that can propel me to the podium. Every woman possesses a unique body, and with it, a unique beauty that can and should be celebrated. I am a strong advocate for creating a culture for our young women that celebrates what our bodies can do, one that promotes value in our abilities, not value based on if/how we meet a media-promoted “ideal”. 

We are so proud to have you represent Truli in Canada! 

Danielle also represents:

Starboard SUP North America 
Trident Sports 
Kayak Sport Canada

Danielle is wearing a size Legend

Instagram:  @HoldsworthDanielle

Facebook:  @DanielleHoldsworth

Hayley-Jo Carr (Nassau/UK)

Scuba Diver

Hayley-Jo Carr is one of those people you look at and think, "Wow - that girl is Truli living the life!"  You may have seen the striking images of her as an underwater model in Pia Oyarzun Made In Water underwater photography, but Hayley-Jo is so much more than an underwater model.  Having grown up by the ocean and along the beaches of Cornwall, UK, she was taught from an early age that happiness is the most important thing in life.  After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Sport’s Studies, Hayley-Jo decided to travel the world and while doing so, learned to scuba dive.  She discovered how happy being in the ocean and surrounded by magnificent marine life made her.  Everything from the smallest Sea Horse to the largest Shark takes her breath away and all of the exploration and discovery that happens with every scuba dive is an inspiration.  Her all-time favorite destination is Indonesia due to the diversity of marine life including some of the weirdest animals she's ever seen! Today with 9000+ scuba dives under her weight belt, Hayley-Jo has achieved the top professional level in a scuba diver's career - PADI Course Director and works as Training Director at The Perry Institute for Marine Science. Not only does she introduce people to the amazing world of scuba diving, but she does the incredibly important job of training the next generation of environmentally conscious Scuba Dive Instructors who have a passion for marine life just like her.  Hayley-Jo specializes in marine conservation including - Shark Conservation, Divers Against Debris, Sea Turtle Awareness, and Coral Nursery Restoration. Hayley is the Coordinator of the Reef Rescue Network which assists the creation and management of coral restoration with organizations and businesses throughout the world. If you are interested in setting up your own Coral Nursery and joining the Reef Rescue Network, don't hesitate to connect with Hayley-Jo!  We couldn't be prouder to have such a leader in the scuba diving world represent for Truli Wetsuits!  Hayley-Jo is wearing the Truli-Capri in size Legend.

Photography by:  Pia Oyarzun

Instagram:  @HayleyJoCarr @MadeInWater

Facebook:  Facebook.com/GoProWithHayleyJo

YouTube:  YouTube.com/HayleyJoCarr

Twitter:  Twitter.com/HayleyJoCarr

Google+:  Plus.Google.com/+HayleyJoCarr

LinkedIn:  LinkedIn.com/in/HayleyJoCarr

Jillian Morris-Brake (Bimini/USA)

Free-diver, Scuba Diver

I have been following Jillian Morris-Brake's shark conservation efforts ever since I got involved in the dive industry and now feel so happy to have gotten to know her on a personal level after she approached Truli Wetsuits on Instagram with a goal to collaborate together.  As an absolute ocean lover growing up in Maine, USA for as long as she can remember, Jillian recalls the first time she saw a shark while snorkeling in Florida when she was only 8 years old!  She had gotten her first snorkel kit that same year and it opened up a new world and window to her future and life which has so fundamentally been defined by the presence of these majestic and widely feared species called sharks.   Educated as a Marine Biologist, Jillian's entire world revolves around marine life and sharks!  Her long list of impressive distinctions include being the Founder and President of the non-profit Sharks4Kids, a professional NAUI scuba diving instructor, talented free-diver, not to mention a widely recognized underwater videographer and photographer.   Her favorite pastimes of snorkeling and freediving allow her to explore and connect with the ocean in her current home on the island of South Bimini in The Bahamas, which remind her of the endless opportunities the ocean has to offer as well as the power and beauty of nature.   Jillian is no stranger to a busy whirlwind life, but she always takes the effort to step back to have peaceful moments through her yoga practice as well as to simply laugh, which is a beautiful lesson her Mom taught her.  Jillian's inspiration is a quote by Baba Dioum, Natural Resource Conservationist from Senegal:  "In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we are taught."  With the launch of Jillian's new children's book, Norman the Nurse Shark, and all the other shark conservation efforts she makes, we know that she is making an impact on the future of these apex predators of the oceans in her Truli Wetsuit.  Jillian is Truli a perfect representative of what Truli Wetsuits aspires to!  Keep up the great work, Jillian!  Jillian is wearing a size Truth in Into the Blue blue.

In 2019, 1% of all wetsuits sales will be donated to Sharks4Kids!

Instagram:  @BiminiSharkGirl

Facebook:  www.Facebook.com/Sharks4Kids

Madelyn Corniel (Cabarete, DR)

Kiteboarder

Growing up in the kiteboarding mecca of Cabarete, Dominican Republic, kitesurfing has always been a backdrop to Madelyn's life.  Young Dominican boys are drawn to the exciting sport and are able to find jobs in the tourist industry after becoming experts and even professionals competing worldwide. On the other hand, young Dominican girls are not encouraged towards adventurous water sports in the same way…but, Madelyn is different.  After watching her friends kitesurf, she was inspired to do the same kinds of kitesurfing tricks that the men from her country continuously do.  Finally, her brothers decided to teach her too.  Today, she is the second Dominican girl doing kitesurfing and she is a member of the Cabarete Kite Academy, which is a Dominican Kitesurfing Team.  Little by little, she learned what is a raley, backroll and other small tricks, but her real passion is racing.  In a very short time, she has learned many things to be proud of and continues to work hard towards her dream of competing at the Youth Olympic Games in Argentina, 2018.    Even though Madelyn is only a teenager, her words are wise,

You can't put a limit to anything; with more dreams the further you will get.  If you don't try, you will never know.

With every hurdle you will jump, Madelyn!  Keep up the great work!

Madelyn is wearing a size Freedom

Instagram:  @NinaCorniel

Suami Cavallo (Cabarete, DR)

Kiteboarder

Suami Cavallo is a force not to be reckoned with!  At the young age of 14 years old, this young woman was already competing in worldwide kiteboarding competitions in the junior category with DaSilva Kiteboarding as her key sponsor as well as Bianca Bikinis, Blossom Retreat and now Truli Wetsuits.  Suami contacted me via Instagram and I was immediately impressed with Suami's commitment to her sport of kiteboarding and level of professionalism at such a young age.  When I started to check out Suami's website and learned more about her, I also was drawn to her absolute zest for life, happiness, and healthy living.  Her mantra is to "Never give up", which is a good one in the sport of kiteboarding where dedication is key to perfecting new and difficult tricks.  Suami always appreciates every moment especially that feeling of fresh water hitting her skin and the smell of the sea as she kiteboards in the endless ocean!  She feels grateful for the support she has received and is looking forward to making her dreams come true!  And so is Truli!  We can't wait to see what's in store for this up and comer! Suami is wearing a size Leader in Into the Blue blue.

Instagram:  @SuamiCavallo

Facebook:  www.Facebook.com/KiteGirlSuami

Bianca Forzano (Cabarete, DR/Italy)

Kiteboarder

Bianca Forzano and I came to meet via a very cool non-profit organization called Kiteboarding for Girls, which has now re-branded to The Women's Kiteboarding Collective. I was working as the administrative assistant for the founder and world champion kiteboarder, Kristin Boese, and I was responsible for setting up KB4girls ambassadors with their chapters around the world. Bianca is the KB4girls ambassador for Italy, an incredible kiteboarder and instructor, and on top of all of this, she has developed a beautiful line of high performance bikinis for active water women called Bianca Bikinis! Bianca and I thought it would be a perfect match for us to showcase the Truli Wetsuits while wearing her Bianca Bikinis on the windiest of days at the off-the-beaten-path, flatwater kiteboarding spot, La Boca, The Dominican Republic. Bianca loves the front zip on her Truli Wetsuit and chooses to leave it half unzipped for a sexy and comfortable look.  Bianca is wearing a size Leader in Pot of Gold Yellow.

Instagram:  @BiancaForzano / @BiancaBikinis

Facebook:  www.Facebook.com/BiancaBikinis

Laurel Eastman (Cabarete, DR/USA)

Kiteboarder

Laurel Eastman opened her famous kiteboarding school LEK - Laurel Eastman Kiteboarding, back in 2004 when Cabarete Beach was a dusty, undeveloped Caribbean town in The Dominican Republic.  Still going strong and proud today, the LEK school sets the bar in the community with a high standard of service.  In 2011, I decided to leave my scuba diving job at a retail store in Sosua to work for myself and freelance as a scuba dive instructor. To supplement my income I picked up a job at the LEK school and that is where my friendship with Laurel began!  We both had strong business visions and solid work ethics balanced by a strong desire for fun!  We worked well together and I brought my background in non-profit management to Laurel's philanthropic mission to give back to the Dominican communities through her Kiters 4 Communities non-profit.  These days, Laurel is living life to its fullest while managing The Women's Kiteboarding Collective and is simply crazy for her foil board.  I wanted to capture her excitement for this niche in the kiteboarding world while she wore her Truli Wetsuit in front of her LEK school.  Laurel is as Truli a water woman as you are going to get and her energy and enthusiasm is so contagious you just might find yourself aspiring, planning, and achieving things after a quick chat with her on the beach!  Make sure you drop by her welcoming LEK school on your next visit to Cabarete, The Dominican Republic!  Laurel is wearing a size Legend in Fireball Orange.

Instagram:  @LaurelEastman / @LEKCabarete

Facebook:  www.Facebook.com/LEKCabarete

Taylor Zima (Florida)

Scuba Diver

If there ever was a person who emanated enthusiasm and energy, it would be the lovely Taylor Zima.  Taylor's sense of adventure has introduced her to every exciting water sport there is including surfing, cliff jumping, spear fishing, kiteboarding, and especially scuba diving.  Ever since Taylor started working at a dive shop (even before she knew anything about diving!), she has been pursuing all of her credentials with a goal to becoming a Dive Instructor all while sharing her passions along the way.  Scuba diving for Taylor has become more of a lifestyle than a hobby and notices that if you're a diver, you want to talk about your recent experiences and if you're not, you want to learn more about it!  Being ambitious and taking initiative even without knowing where it might lead is something Taylor is proud of - and so are we!  She says,

Being a very energetic and adventure seeking person, the water is the only place I can calm my mind and relax. I don’t think about what I have to do the next day or the next hour. My passion for the water has rooted from the need to find a place where I can feel completely detached from the routine of everyday life. Growing up in south Florida I am lucky to still be in awe every time I see the ocean.  My mom raised me to be an independent, driven woman and that is exactly what I am today. I've always been a doer and hardly think twice about doing something out of my comfort zone. 

This busy young water woman, all while working at the dive shop, is also a full time student studying Healthcare Administration and going for her Masters soon.  She is also the Volunteer and Program Coordinator at The Bicol Clinic Foundation (medical mission trip oranization) and going to Nepal this summer!  Taylor admires the sporty, sexy style of Truli Wetsuits and is a firm believer that if you are going to represent a look or a product you have to believe in it and the lifestyle it comes along with.  We are so excited to have you share the Truli stoke in your adventurous water sports life, Taylor!  Welcome to the Truli family!

Instagram:  @TaylorZima

Cate Siniscalchi (Utah)

Wakeboarder

Cate Siniscalchi is one of those people who you meet in life and you think, "this girl is going to do something BIG!".  This talented wakeboarder was practically raised in the water and actually taught herself how to swim. When she's not studying Graphic Design at college, Cate juggles between wakeboarding her favorite local spot in Lake Powell, UT and snowboarding seasons while competing and representing for SheShredsCo. Cate says about being on the water,

"I never fail to get butterflies in my stomach and the biggest smile on my face. There is something so magical about the water that calls us to it, and so when we can finally get back to it a sense of home is there." 

Now that is something we can Truli relate to!  Cate has not had a typical life in that she was diagnosed with a chronic illness and was told her chances were very slim to get back into the competition world; however she beat all the odds by continuing to compete and kick ass in the sport she loves!  With the support from her family, friends, and all of the professional riders who have helped her get to where she is today, she is especially grateful to Ryan Tomac and Noah Niederhauser who are her constant motivation to keep pushing and making her dreams come to reality.  Cate - you inspire us and we are also in the business of living the dream!  Welcome to the Truli family!

Instagram:  @CateSiniscalchi

Twitter:  @Killa_C8

Jessica Carpenter (California)

Scuba Diver

Jessica Carpenter grabbed my attention immediately because we seemed to have some similar experiences in the world of scuba diving and being female.  But what meant the most to me was that she connected with Truli because of the image and message my brand conveys.  She says,

I'm extremely passionate about the message you send. As a woman in scuba, I can't tell you how many times I've experienced sexist, rude comments or moments on a dive boat; for one example, when I asked an instructor to pass me a XS BCD instead of a size small, he told me, "If that one doesn't fit, you gotta leave and go eat more donuts." Finding properly-functioning AND cute gear for diving has been impossible for me so far. 

As Jessica told me more about herself, it was evident that she possesses some remarkable attributes that made me keen to have her become a Truli Ambassador!  Growing up in a family that loves the ocean and scuba as much as they love her, she became a certified scuba diver at the age of 12.  This early exposure to the beauty and importance of our oceans encouraged a passion for water that she has fostered throughout her life. Since then she consistently lives by her motto, "Life begins at the end of your comfort zone" and has dived in far off destinations as Cozumel, Mexico (her fav!), Iceland, and the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.  At the moment, she is pursuing a double-major in Aquatic Biology and Latin American and Iberian studies with a future goal of attending medical school.  Jessica is always pushing to learn more and be more and has contributed significantly through community service for the ocean at such places as the world's largest marine mammal center, at an ocean conservation and education organization that hosts summer camps for kids, and even a research lab that focuses on the coral in Moorea, French Polynesia.  We are looking forward to sharing Jessica's conservation updates and following along on her ocean-inspired adventures!  Welcome to the Truli family, Jessica!

Lindy Brown (Florida)

Windsurfer/SUP/Swimmer/Surfer/Scuba Diver

Lindy Brown approached me and expressed her interest in becoming a Truli Girl at the end of 2016.  I took a peek at her business, Outdoor Gulf Coast located on the panhandle of Florida in the beautiful gulfside city of Pensacola, FL.  I was excited to learn how passionate she was about water sports, specifically windsurfing, and how much she loved to explore the emerald waters that teem with life where she lives whether it be surf, swim, or scuba! When she told me that "There's nothing like the mind-body connection of windsurfing between the physical energy and mindfulness needed to work with wind changes and of course the exhilarating feeling of speed!", I knew she was a perfect representation for all things Truli.  Lindy also works with people with special needs and teaches assistive technology and adaptive water sports. Her passion for enjoying the feeling of lightness and freedom in all things water and sharing the stoke with others along the journey is the reason she started her business.  Lindy is an approachable woman who, like so many women, has overcome her fair share of challenges.  She says, "Your life is a beautiful adventure story.  Rise and Live it!".  Thanks for being simply awesome, Lindy and loving your Truli as much as we do!  Lindy is wearing a size Leader in Into the Blue blue.

Instagram:  @outdoorgulfcoast, @ecolindy

Facebook:  www.Facebook.com/OutdoorGulfCoast 

Taylor Swanson (Florida/Colorado)

Kiteboarder/Wakeboarder/Scuba Diver/Surfer

Taylor has been a part of the Truli Wetsuit team since July 2015 when I had the pleasure of meeting her in Cabarete where she was showing off some styles on the rail at La Boca. She is the ultimate adventure woman by being a team rider for German kiteboarding company, CORE, an awesome wake-surfer, wakeboarder, as well as an avid snowboarder. She currently lives in Boulder, Colorado and travels to see all the beauties in the world. In addition to her love for action sports she finished her MBA in International Business from Nova Southeastern University and a bachelor’s in biology from Florida Atlantic University.  She is currently a key account manager for Rockyard Brewing.  It’s been a pleasure working with Taylor and I can’t wait to see all of her future explorations!  We are so happy to have her represent as a Truli Ambassador for us!  Taylor is wearing a size Freedom in Into the Blue Blue.

Instagram:  @_Sailor_Taylor

Facebook:  www.Facebook.com/Capn.Sailor.Taylor

YouTube:  Taylor Swanson

Cesca Peirce (England)

Kiteboarder/Wakeboarder/SUP/Scuba Diver

Cesca Peirce is the kind of woman that possesses a natural radiance that lights up those around her.  Growing up in England, Cesca left behind a 3rd Dan Black Belt in karate and moved to The Turks & Caicos Islands to work as manager at the horse ranch Caicos Corral, but the call of the sea beckoned!  While in TCI she has become an avid kiteboarder and kiteboarding instructor and also enjoys wakeboarding, surfing, and scuba diving.   There's nothing that inspires Cesca more than the colors of the ocean and is head over heels in love with the freedom that being in the water brings.  Like all Truli Ambassadors, Cesca recognizes the power and strength of the ocean and always maintains the utmost respect for it, while allowing it to soothe and calm her soul.  This girl is Truli in tune with the swell of the sea and an amazing addition to the Truli Ambassador team!  We are so happy to have Cesca represent for us!  Cesca is wearing a size Truth in Into the Blue blue.

Instagram:  @Cesca.P