Surf Dog Ricochet is proud to announce her sponsorship of a custom adaptive surfboard she gifted to Army Veteran Jose Martinez, which was shaped by the non-profit, One More Wave. Ricochet has been sponsoring Jose for several years now thanks to her supporters. She is honored to include a surfboard to the sponsorship. (Surf Dog Ricochet, 2021)

Jose Martinez, a purple heart recipient, became a triple amputee after stepping on an improvised explosive device (IED) in Afghanistan. Jose has been competing in adaptive surfing competitions since 2017. He is a member of Team USA’s Adaptive surfing team, and later this year he will be entering the US Open of Adaptive Surfing in Oceanside, CA and the 2021 Ampsurf ISA World Para Surfing Championship in Pismo Beach, CA. 

“The custom board that One More Wave shaped has made a big difference,” says Jose. “I’m able to paddle better and make better turns. I can’t wait to use it in competition. I can’t thank Ricochet enough for her continued support. In return we have changed people’s minds and hearts, showing them anything is possible.” 

In 2014, Jose was introduced to surfing as part of his rehabilitation with the Naval Medical Center in San Diego. He did not surf prior to his accident, but now he says he cannot imagine life without it. He has become a dynamic competitor and respected athlete with impressive results in both local and national adaptive surfing competitions. He has won gold, silver, and bronze medals. 

Jose and Ricochet have also joined forces to battle the suicide epidemic among veterans through Jose’s inspirational speaking and Ricochet’s emotional healing abilities. They also catch waves together to raise awareness of the healing power of the ocean and the healing power of a dog. 

Jose has his sights on going to the Paralympics in 2028. But sadly, it will not happen in Ricochet’s lifetime because she is 13 years old now. “I take great comfort in knowing Ricochet’s legacy will live on through the sponsorship of Jose. It’s a privilege to be so closely associated with one of adaptive surfing’s most recognizable individuals”, said Judy Fridono, Ricochet’s guardian.

“Surf Dog Ricochet and Judy have been spreading stoke and joy to the adaptive surfing community for years,” said One More Wave founder, Alex West. “Everywhere they go, they bring knowledge, advocacy, and intention to a population of athletes too often left aside. Getting to partner with a community leader like Surf Dog Ricochet and provide a custom adaptive board to a living legend like Jose Martinez is an honor and joy for us as an organization.”

Ricochet is a certified goal-directed therapy dog that has been helping wounded warriors and veterans with PTSD since 2009. She is also an honorary member of Team USA due to her broad support of the adaptive surfing community. She became the first-ever canine-assisted surf therapy and adaptive surfing dog in 2009 when she jumped on the board of a 14-year-old boy with a spinal cord injury.

One More Wave is a 501c3 tax-exempt non-profit that provides wounded and disabled veterans with customized adaptive surfing equipment and fosters growth in the surf therapy community. Since its establishment in 2015, One More Wave has awarded over 500 grants that empower vets to find healing in surf zones across the country. There are many surf therapy organizations out there, but One More Wave is the only one that builds boards soup-to-nuts through a 27-step process to provide veterans with the adaptive tools they need to mend themselves.