SION MILOSKY

In the aftermath, Danilo Couto and Kohl Christensen gathered a small group of surfers in the barn at Christensen’s North Shore farm, all driven by a deep resolve to change the approach towards risk management in the big-wave community.

From that initial gathering, the big-wave safety movement was ignited, growing into annual summits attended by surfers from across the globe. These grassroots events evolved into comprehensive trainings focused on high-surf risk management, covering detailed scenario analysis, breath-hold techniques, CPR/AED certification, open-ocean first-responder techniques, and hands-on equipment education.

In 2014, the movement formalized into the Big Wave Risk Assessment Group (BWRAG), establishing a dedicated organization to advance ocean safety on a global scale. Recognizing the critical need for comprehensive ocean safety education beyond the big-wave community, BWRAG expanded its curriculum to serve surfers and ocean enthusiasts of all ability levels. Through in-person summits and a robust online Surf Responder course, BWRAG now delivers essential training in ocean safety, emergency response, and risk management worldwide.

In 2025, under the leadership of big wave legends Greg Long (President) and Kohl Christensen along with water safety experts Brian Keaulana, Pat Chong Tim, and Jon Hoover, BWRAG is taking its mission even further by transitioning into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

With the support of dedicated partners and donors, BWRAG is expanding its global impact—bringing lifesaving ocean safety training to communities that were previously out of reach and creating lasting change that extends far beyond the lineup.