Dave Rastovich portrait by Joni Sternbach
Source: Daily Lama
Free surfer, team rider, eco warrior, sealife lover, organic grower, hippy Rasta – that’s how Dave Rastovich rolls.
Being John Malkovich is a crazy film, being Dave Rastovich is real life crazy.
Before I get down to the details of being Dave ‘Rasta’ Rastovich today, lets have a quick look at his life so far:
• Born 31 December 1979 in Auckland, New Zealand
• Grew up on a farm
• Dad was in New Zealand’s Special Forces, but became a holistic healer
• Moved to the Gold Coast aged 6
• Won numerous junior lifesaving, paddleboard and surfing competitions
• Won the U16 World Grommet Champs in Bali
• Left the WQS to be a professional free surfer and ocean activist
• In 2005, married a professional mermaid (Hannah Fraser), now divorced
Free surfer, team rider
Dave Rastovich – bottom turn terminator
Source: Billabong
Disenchanted by the rules of the fun sapping surf tour, Rasta left the WQS early in his career. But with a hard work ethic and environmental mentality, he carved out a niche with Billabong as a team rider, free surfer, surf film star and environmentalist. Rasta is now the face of mens surf clothing brand Billabong’s environmental campaign ‘Be The Change You Want In The World’, pushing a range of eco friendly recycled boardshorts and organic T-shirts.
Despite his lack of competitive zeal sponsors still love him, especially: Billabong, Sanuk, Electric Visual, Sector 9 and Sticky Bumps. Due to his Curren-esque style, primal good looks and ability to surf anything (inc. inflatable mats, barn doors); Rasta’s film credits include Jack McCoys ‘Blue Horizon’, Taylor Steele’s ‘Sipping Jetstreams’ and Thomas Campbell’s ‘Sprout’.
Eco warrior, sealife lover
Rasta on a cetacean crusade
Source: Surfer Mag
Rasta was once saved by a dolphin from a shark attack (true story). Ever since he’s done what he can to return the favour. In 2004, Rasta and artist/activist Howie Cooke founded Surfers for Cetaceans (S4C), to mobilise surfers and the surf media against whaling and dolphin kills.
Rasta also likes to get his hands dirty with Sea Shepherd, Oceanic Preservation Society, IFAW and many others. In 2007, Rasta and fellow activists paddled out in peaceful demonstration during the Tajii. The annual Japanese tradition is responsible for the slaughter of many dolphins and whales, turning the sea red. Protests, film, media and education have already had a positive effect as many locals now refuse to sell or consume cetacean meat, but the annual slaughter continues.
Check out the film ‘Minds in the Water’ for a great visual insight to Rasta’s journey, and the S4C website for the latest campaign information.
Organic grower, hippy Rasta
Dave Rastovich with the bare necessities
Source: Electric Visual
Rasta has been criticised by many for his less than green credentials and lifestyle choices. For example he’s clocked up more air miles than Obama, has no academic eco-credentials and drives a gas guzzling SUV (he lost the hybrid in the divorce).
But he’s doing a whole lot more than most to make a difference in the world. Commercially he’s working with sponsors to develop recycled clothing, soy wax and sugar-based boards. He’s a strict vegan, grows his own organic veg and built his house from salvaged materials.
To compliment his hippy living, he practises yoga and meditation daily.
In summary, being Dave Rastovich must be a pretty cool way to live a life.
Here’s Dave Rastovich in a hand picked collection of multimedia magnificence:
Dave Rastovich & Hannah Fraser
Source: Hannah Fraser
Dave Rastovich dreamtime
Source: Billabong
Surfer | Activist | Thinker
Source: Surfer Mag
Ahoy there wave riders . . . I just had to comment . . . I met a dude called Dave a few weeks back waiting for a flight to Denpasar . . . my first trip . . . his millionth. I’m 60 & kinda talkative . . . I ask Dave for advice on entry visa protocol . . . then we get talkin music . . . I’ve been a street performer for 15 years . . . I tell him while I’m in Bali gettin my teeth fixed I’ll be lookin for some shakers , preferably aslatas . . . and maybe a nice kalimba . . . some good advice follows . . . then we figure out we have some mutual friends from the NC . . . I’m travelling with an inflatable SUP . . . Dave has the most worn out looking board tote I’ve ever seen . . . we get some food & keep talkin music . . . it’s gettin to be a regular chat fest . . . some people want to get their piccy taken with Dave . . . so I take the foto . . . time can drag waiting for a flight . . . but Dave & me are in full conversational flight . . . open tunings . . . Neil Young . . . New Zealand . . . xlophones . . . Nimbin . . . polyrythyms . . . then our flight is called . . . we share a long smile & shake hands.
Yeaterday after 2 real nice weeks on Lombongan I got back to my boat in Mooloolaba with new teeth and a bunch of nice Indonesian percussion instruments . . . I heard Dave was in Nias & the biggest swell to hit Indo for a year was coming . . . This comment is like Tolstoy’s War & Peace already . . . but I’d like to finish by sayng . . . some people know how to create their own good luck . . . thanks Dave ! ! !
Thanks for taking the time to comment and share your story Captain Tricko.
Your blog is an interesting read. Hope your good luck creations are in plentiful supply.
Thanks for taking the time to comment and share your story Captain Tricko.
Your blog is an interesting read. Hope your good luck creations are in plentiful supply.
Ahoy there wave riders . . . I just had to comment . . . I met a dude called Dave a few weeks back waiting for a flight to Denpasar . . . my first trip . . . his millionth. I’m 60 & kinda talkative . . . I ask Dave for advice on entry visa protocol . . . then we get talkin music . . . I’ve been a street performer for 15 years . . . I tell him while I’m in Bali gettin my teeth fixed I’ll be lookin for some shakers , preferably aslatas . . . and maybe a nice kalimba . . . some good advice follows . . . then we figure out we have some mutual friends from the NC . . . I’m travelling with an inflatable SUP . . . Dave has the most worn out looking board tote I’ve ever seen . . . we get some food & keep talkin music . . . it’s gettin to be a regular chat fest . . . some people want to get their piccy taken with Dave . . . so I take the foto . . . time can drag waiting for a flight . . . but Dave & me are in full conversational flight . . . open tunings . . . Neil Young . . . New Zealand . . . xlophones . . . Nimbin . . . polyrythyms . . . then our flight is called . . . we share a long smile & shake hands.
Yeaterday after 2 real nice weeks on Lombongan I got back to my boat in Mooloolaba with new teeth and a bunch of nice Indonesian percussion instruments . . . I heard Dave was in Nias & the biggest swell to hit Indo for a year was coming . . . This comment is like Tolstoy’s War & Peace already . . . but I’d like to finish by sayng . . . some people know how to create their own good luck . . . thanks Dave ! ! !
Whats the name of the instrument Dave us playing in three stones from the sun?
Think it’s probably a ‘hang’.
Think it’s probably a ‘hang’.
Whats the name of the instrument Dave us playing in three stones from the sun?