With gender norms up in the air, what does it mean to be a dad today? For Chris Del Moro, it means showing up for it all – good, bad, and messy – and maintaining stability for his family.
Chris is an artist, surfer and devoted father to his two boys. He shares about the pivotal experiences with his own fathers and mentors that shaped him into the steadfast man he is today.
Chris spent more than a decade as a professional freesurfer, featured in movies including "Sliding Liberia, "The Present” and the biographical Bella Vita by Jason Baffa, which explores his Italian heritage and the blossoming culture of Italian surfing. Chris has also worked closely with environmental organisations, like Surfers for Cetaceans, combining art and activism to help protect wild species and spaces.
Chris is now the co-owner of Baghsu Jewels, with his wife Madgi, and is the Creative Director for Drifter Surf in Bali.
At the time of recording, they’ve been traveling the Southern Hemisphere for nearly a year with their two boys Marley and Bodhi, aged 7 and 4. We caught up with Chris during the 3-month leg of their Australian adventure.
Chris talks us through why he said ‘no’ to professional surfing, growing up amongst LA’s South Bay legacy of watermen, the rite of passage of life guarding, the deeper purpose that activism brought to his surfing and art, and cultivating the under appreciated virtues of service, responsibility and staying centred – so that we can bring our best selves to our families.
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Listen with Lauren L. Hill & Dave Rastovich
Sound Engineer: Ben Alexander
Theme song: Shannon Sol Carroll
Additional music by Dave & Ben
Join the conversation: @Waterpeoplepodcast
