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Mike Sciacca

Jesse Billauer appeared laid back when he addressed students at a

jam-packed Huntington Beach High auditorium Tuesday, but his

easy-going attitude and surfing slang belied his hard-hitting,

inspiring message.

The 24-year-old, a resident of Marina del Rey, was at the high

school to talk about how life has evolved since a surfing accident

seven years ago paralyzed him from the chest down.

His delivery gained the attention of a school synonymous with

surfing success by relating his recent life experience to his love of

the sport, but Billauer’s message transcended surfing.

“It’s about what’s inside of you,” he told an enthusiastic crowd.

The audience was clearly listening.

“I’m just happy that we were able to present someone like Jesse to

our student body,” said Andy Verdone, a teacher and surf coach at

Huntington Beach High School who, along with science teacher Tom

Gregory, helped bring Billauer to the school.

“He was very informative and very inspirational. The kids really

listened and they dug it. This, probably, is the best assembly we’ve

had since I’ve been here. Jesse’s one of the most courageous surfers

in the world.”

Billauer began to give motivational speeches in 1999, offering

inspiring messages of following one’s dreams.

He has done, on average, 20 appearances a year, his father,

George, said.

“I know that kids at this age think they are invincible. I know I

did,” Jesse Billauer said. “They don’t know much about paralysis,

either, and I hope by my talking to them, it will give them some

insight about living their dreams no matter what happens. I know I

once was in their situation.”

Billauer said he took up surfing at age 9 and became a sponsored

surfer by the time he was 12.

A talented up-and-coming pro surfer with a promising future, he

was surfing a popular spot, Drain Pipes, along Zuma Beach, when he

broke his neck riding a 6- to 8-foot barrel.

A wave hit Billauer in the back and sent him head-first into the

water.

The then-17-year-old junior at Malibu High hit his head on the

bottom of a sand bar.

“So many things went through my head and I almost dropped out of

school,” he said of the accident. “But I had a lot of people rally

around me and give me great support.”

Billauer went on to be crowned homecoming king at Malibu High his

senior year, earned a degree at San Diego State University and

established his own foundation, Life Rolls On.

The nonprofit organization promotes ongoing efforts to develop

effective treatments and a cure for paralysis caused by spinal cord

injuries.

It also contributes to research: the foundation supports the

Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation and several other charities by

raising money to fund more research.

Billauer, who owns his own clothing line, continues to surf.

Last summer at the Huntington Beach Pier, he drew an emotional

standing ovation after surfing the U.S. Open.

Some of his friends, among them world champions Kelly Slater, Rob

Machado and Taj Burrow, took Billauer out to the water for the

competition.

He touched on some of his surfing experiences during his

presentation Tuesday.

“I thought his talk was really cool,” said Kory LaPoint, a

17-year-old junior and member of the Huntington Beach surf team. “He

had to overcome some really big stuff, and he’s inspiring.

“I’ve had some problems and made some mistakes myself, but his

talk today has inspired me to just do my best. He really inspired me

to give my best out in the water.”

His appearance at the school also included the showing of a

trailer of a soon-to-be-released documentary film chronicling his

life, the reading of a poem, “I Am,” which he wrote shortly after his

paralysis, and question-and-answer and autograph sessions.

Students’ questions ranged from surfing, to those of a more

personal nature.

One student even offered Billauer an invitation to be her prom

date.

His answers to many of the questions proved that he hasn’t let his

disability stop him -- in any manner.

Instead, Billauer has taken his message on the road, hoping to

inspire others, no matter where they are in life.

One inspiring anecdote he delivered Tuesday -- about a surfing

outing with friends -- seemed to sum up his message.

“When I hit the sand after riding a wave, I laid there, and looked

up into the sky,” he said. “I realized then that my dreams weren’t

flashing in front of me, that I was actually living them.”

“My main message to these students is that no matter what happens

to you in life, your hopes and dreams can come true if you put your

mind to it. Don’t take your life for granted. Take the time to enjoy

it with your family and friends.”