HOF 2007 Nominees > Sports
ShareJesse Billauer
On the verge of becoming a professional surfer, Jesse Billauer sustained a devastating when a wave pushed him headfirst into a shallow sandbar leaving him paralyzed with a complete C-6 injury. Jesse did not let this injury keep him down. His desire to get back into the water led Jesse to developing a system in which he could surf again. With the help of Rob Machado and other professional surfers, Jesse has found ways to get individuals with spinal cord injuries surfing.
Not only has Jesse surfed in the US Open of Surfing, the ASP World Tour event at Trestle's and other professional events, but he was featured in the movie, "Step Into Liquid" and has found ways to inspire individuals with spinal cord injuries and educate people of all ages about spinal cord injuries. Jesse is the Founder and inspiration behind the Life Rolls On Foundation, which works with young people affected by spinal cord injury and finds ways to enhance their quality of life through participation in action sports.
He has spoken across the United States at various schools and universities educating people about spinal cord injuries. He has inspired and taught numerous individuals who have sustained spinal cord injuries how to live life to its fullest and do what your heart desires.
Jesse has taught people how to celebrate their abilities and minimize their disabilities. Jesse has shared his passion for surfing with numerous individuals and worked with Richard Yelland, Dave King, and others to develop the They Will Surf Again program run by Life Rolls On.
During TWSA events, individuals with various spinal cord injuries have been given the opportunity to surf with the help of volunteers. At the most recent TWSA event 24 injured athletes and over 125 volunteers participated in the event. Participants traveled from Vancouver, Texas, and numerous other areas just to catch a few waves at Bolsa Chica State Beach in Huntington Beach, California.
Life Rolls On has been rapidly expanding and is currently developing surfing events in Northern California, Florida, Virginia, New York, and Maine. Through Jesse's desire to surf, he has found a way for individuals with SCI and their families to once again feel free and not let their injury hold them back.
In fact, Life Rolls On recently held a social experiment where they took a picture of an individual with a spinal cord injury laying on a surfboard and placed it next to an individual without a spinal cord injury and asked people to identify which one had the injury.
Amazingly most people could not tell the difference. Jesse has been an inspiration to me and to many others. He is very deserving of recognition in the Spinal Cord Injury Hall of Fame. For more information about Jesse or Life Rolls On visit www.jessebillauer.com or www.liferollson.org .