Gene

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 South Padre Surf Company is simply owner and instructor Gene Gore, and his new Surf Dog Astro. He is Texas most experienced surf instructor, ocean lifeguard, ocean safety expert and professional level surfer, a fully dedicated waterman. Gene grew up on the beaches of Texas as a lifetime dedicated surfer, ocean lifeguard, and became a City and County of Honolulu Hawaii Ocean Safety Officer joining the elite professionals that save lives in the most dangerous surf in the world. He has dedicated his life to surfing, lifesaving, building surfboards and public service, yet one of his greatest thrills is still seeing someone ride their first wave and introducing people of all ages to the ocean and helping them overcome their fears with his knowledge and experience. 

Gene has accumulated an extensive and unique history of accomplishments in his field while pursuing his passion for surf. He worked for the Hawaii Water Patrol, trained in heavy surf rescue with jetski/rescue sled, 3 time winner of paddleboard races on the North Shore of Oahu and several U.S. National Surfing Championship Paddle races, along with the Harpoon Barry Bay to Gulf Paddle Race, twice selected to the 6 man Hawaiian World Lifeguard Team, former Texas State longboard champion and Allstar team member, 6 time U.S. Lifesaving Association National Competitor with numerous medals in paddle racing, paddleboard rescue, and 2 mile beach run, winner of the Diamondhead Biathlon, Galveston Beach Patrol  Senior Lifeguard and Marine Rescue RHI pilot and Jr. Lifeguard Instructor, and Corpus Christi and Port Aransas Beach Patrol Lifeguard. Gene has saved hundreds of lives, in both documented and undocumented surf rescues. He has assist and treated countless injured beach patrons and performed CPR in many real life incidents, as well serving 8 Years as a Licensed Texas Emergency Medical Technician and volunteer ambulance/fireman. 

He has competed in over 100 surfing competitions both amateur and professional in France, Spain, Mexico, California, Florida, New Jersey, Hawaii, Australia and more. Gene has designed and shaped around a thousand custom surfboards, starting shaping and designing boards as a teen. He  was competition director and judge for the Texas Gulf Surfing Association. Gene has taught over 75,000 private and group surfing lessons, through Galveston College and G.C. Kid's Camp, Moody Hospitality Institute, San Luis Resort, Surfside Surf Camp, SpaceX and South Padre Surf Co. He authored the first book on surfing in Texas "Surfing the Texas Gulf Coast". He competed in the ILSA World Lifeguard Championships in Italy with a team of elite guards from Galveston where he captured 4 medals and was the top ranked American competitor! He also competed on Team Hawaii in several world and national competitions.

Gene is the founder of the South Texas Surfrider Foundation, a coastal environmental group.  In 2004 Gene paddled the entire length of the Texas Gulf Coast, 404 miles in 19 days, as a fundraiser for Surfrider Foundation's coastal education program, receiving the prestigious National Recognition Award. Gene was instrumental in founding the South Padre Island Fire Department Beach Patrol and worked as a surf rescue technician and trainer, after many years of pursuing an Island lifesaving program. He also laid the groundwork for the Cameron County Beach Patrol to begin. Gene works with the National Weather Service in developing new coastal marine forecasts, rip current guidance packages, and coastal hazard and warning advisories for public safety during tropical storms and hurricanes. 

Gene has taught both the City and County junior lifeguards surfing lessons. Gene received a United States Coast Guard Certificate of Appreciation for assisting the Coast Guard in numerous rescues and for his lifetime commitment to public service and ocean safety.