
The tribe
Being a Born Maniac means celebrating everything life has to offer – surf, arts, music and culture, sports, and whatever life throws our way. We encourage people to push their boundaries, and we celebrate it. Whether you are a misfit, an outcast, a rock and roller, or an activist, we admire it and want everyone to challenge themselves, face their fears, and grow with us, the Born Maniacs.
Get to know our tribe below.
Ross Clarke-jones
THE OG MANIAC

Born on 6 June 1966 in Sydney, Australia, Ross Clarke-Jones is a pioneering figure in the big wave surfing world. He became a household name in 1986 with standout performances at the Billabong Pro at Waimea Bay and the Pipeline Masters, launching a 12-year career on the ASP World Tour.
Ross is known for starring in and producing some of the most iconic surf films, including Mad Wax, The Sixth Element (narrated by Dennis Hopper), Storm Surfers 3D, and the four-part TV series Storm Surfers.
In 2001, Ross made history as the first Australian and non-Hawaiian to win the prestigious Quiksilver In Memory Of Eddie Aikau big wave contest at Waimea Bay, Hawaii. He also claimed runner-up titles in 2004 and 2016 at this elite competition.
Ross currently divides his time between Portugal, Hawaii, and Australia. Based on Phillip Island, he continues chasing fierce swells in the southern hemisphere, including hotspots like South Africa, New Zealand, Tasmania, and Western Australia.
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Surfing Achievements Timeline
- 1986: 3rd in World Amateur Titles – Cornwall, England
- 1986: Turned professional
- 1987: 3rd at Gunston 500 – Durban, South Africa
- 1989: 2nd at the Billabong Pro
- 1990: 3rd at Pipeline Masters – Hawaii
- 2001: First non-Hawaiian to win the Quiksilver Eddie Aikau Big Wave Contest – Waimea Bay
- 2004: Runner-up at Quiksilver Eddie Aikau Big Wave Contest – Waimea Bay
- 2009: Overall Champion for tow and paddle at Nelscott Reef Kingfish
- 2016: Runner-up at Quiksilver Eddie Aikau Big Wave Contest – Waimea Bay
- 2018: Surfed one of his biggest waves at Nazaré, Portugal (18 January)
- 2018: Nazare "Rock Hop" (25 February)
- 2023: Competed at The Eddie Aikau
- 2023: Launched Born Maniac
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Film and Television Achievements Timeline
- 1985: Starred in cult classic short film Mad Wax
- 1988: Appeared in Performers II
- 1989: Featured in All Down The Line
- 1990: Appeared in Generation X
- 1992: Featured in 110/240
- 1994: Starred in Surfers of Fortune
- 1994: Stunt performer in feature film Rapa Nui
- 1998: Appeared in video documentary Biggest Wednesday: Condition Black
- 1999: Starred in Extreme IMAX
- 2000: Directed and produced the world’s first tow-surfing contest, Red Bull Reef Seekers
- 2003: Appeared in Pororoca: Surfing the Amazon
- 2006: Starred in biopic The Sixth Element (narrated by Dennis Hopper)
- 2007: Featured in Red Bull Tai Fu
- 2008: Starred in Storm Surfers: Dangerous Banks
- 2010: Appeared in Storm Surfers: New Zealand
- 2012: Inducted into the Australian Surfing Hall of Fame
- 2012: Starred in award-winning documentary Storm Surfers 3D (narrated by Toni Collette)
- 2013: Appeared in Australian feature film Drift
- 2013: Starred in TV series documentary Explorers: Adventures of the Century
- 2018: Starred in short film Go Mad
- 2019: Competed in Survivor Australia Season 4: Champions vs Contenders
JAMIE MITCHELL
Complete maniac

“Jamie is one of the greatest unknown sportsmen of all time. Ten years he has won the Molokai channel paddle race … his winning percentage is higher than anyone in any sport ever.”
– Kelly Slater, 11x World Surfing Champion
Jamie Mitchell is an extraordinary athlete whose unparalleled dedication to conquering ocean challenges has made him one of the most respected watermen in the world. Born and raised in Australia, now living on the North Shore of Hawaii, Jamie’s achievements are unrivalled. He is a 10-time winner of the Molokai to Oahu Paddleboard Championships, a World Champion ocean paddler, and one of the few elite surfers capable of paddling into massive waves without jet ski assistance.
Jamie’s legendary dominance of the Molokai challenge—32 miles across the unforgiving Kaiwi Channel—is unparalleled. To win this gruelling event ten years in a row is a feat of legend. A fearless big wave surfer, Jamie has been invited to the world’s most elite events, including the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational (11-time invitee), WSL Peahi (Jaws) Big Wave Challenge, and WSL Nazaré Tow In Challenge.
In 2019, Jamie founded the Seven Crossing Project, paddling 170 miles over five days across the Channel Islands to raise awareness for ocean sustainability efforts. The second series of this initiative will debut in 2024.
For Jamie, the ocean is more than just a playground; it’s a home, a teacher, and a lifelong passion. His relentless drive to push boundaries and give back makes him a true Renaissance Waterman.
Joey “JoeyAloha” Cadiz
Muscle Maniac

Joey “JoeyAloha” Cadiz is a Hawaii-born and raised big wave surfer, North Shore lifeguard, traditional practitioner, and family man. He spends his workdays as a lifeguard at the world-renowned break and beach known as Waimea Bay; and during his off time, you will find him working in one of Hawaii’s traditional taro farming communities on the North Shore.
Joey has been an accomplished athlete his whole life, from land sports in soccer, track, and football, to, as of late, being recognised as a top big-wave surfer and waterman invited to The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational for a 3rd time in a row as an up-and-coming big wave surfer.
“GOLDI”
GOLDEN MANIAC

A Producer, DJ, a sonic alchemist,
Unseen, unpredictable, yet undeniably magnetic.
Raw, real, unapologetically untamed,
Her music doesn’t beg, it demands to be known.
It pulls you in, guides you to uncharted territory,
Leaving questions and seeds of curiosity.
It’s the kind of sound that lingers,
Long after the record’s last note has drifted into silence.
Her music breathes with nature.
Oceans, mountains, deserts and endless skies.
In the spaces most never stop to listen,
Where GOLDi finds the quiet hum of truth.
But GOLDi isn’t just sound and rhythm,
Her platform is a playground for thought.
To ignite inspiration, to break boundaries.
Content that sparks the mind, brightens the soul
And cuts through the chaos.
It’s about finding meaning in the madness
And lighting up the dark corners where change has long been dormant.
Her mission? To elevate the frequency,
One track, one moment, one shift at a time.
To show you the unseen, the unknown
And ask: What are you really ready to hear
ROGUE RUBIN
THE UNIQUE MANIAC

Writer. Director. Conservationist.
She may not ride a surfboard like the other maniacs — but she’ll cast them in the most unforgettable light. Her work stretches from the backrooms of Africa, working undercover to expose the truth behind lion extinction, to the brightest studios, directing the world’s most celebrated athletes and actors. One day, she’s speaking on global conservation. The next, she’s framing Jon Hamm for a Sundance premiere. Always moving. Always focused. Always searching for what’s real.
She’s smart. Savvy. Award-winning. And yet what sets her apart has nothing to do with her résumé. She might look like everyone else in the room — but anyone who’s worked with her knows she isn’t. She’s the kind of person who feels deeply, quietly. Who notices things others miss. Who lives in the spaces between wild landscapes and carefully constructed shots, where truth waits patiently to be found.
Loyalty is her constant. It shows up in the way she works, the people she protects, the stories she chooses to tell. She gravitates to those who feel a little outside the frame — the misfits, the dreamers, the ones who think they’re too much or not enough. And somehow, she makes them feel seen.
She’s a maniac for love. For truth. For the stories that remind us we belong to something bigger — and that being different might just be the most honest thing we are.
KANAN CLARKE-JONES
MAT MANIAC

Kanan Clarke-Jones began his journey in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at just three years old, wrestling with his father. During one of their playful matches, his dad caught him in an armbar – a submission that has since become Kanan’s signature move on the mats.
He commenced his formal training under Peter de Been in Torquay, which sparked his dream to return to his birthplace, São Paulo, Brazil, to pursue BJJ at the highest level.
With over 15 years of dedicated training, Kanan progressed from blue belt to brown belt under the legendary ‘General’ Fabio Gurgel, a four-time world champion, in São Paulo. In 2018, he moved to New York to train under Marcelo Garcia, a five-time world champion and one of the greatest grapplers of all time.
Kanan was honoured to receive his black belt from Marcelo Garcia and now serves as the head instructor at the Marcelo Garcia Academy Headquarters in NYC.
Lyla + Frankie Freudenstein
THE MANIAC TWINS

Lyla Freudenstein
Born prematurely on 14 January 2011, Lyla started surfing at just three years old, inspired by her dad. Skating soon followed, shaping her natural and fluid surfing style. Mentored by local legend Jimmy Wags, she earned the nickname "Silent Assassin" for her humble yet fiercely determined personality. Despite exploring various sports, Lyla’s passion for surfing remains unwavering.
2024
- 13th at National Titles
- Two-time Under 16 Girls Champion in Woolgoolga
- 4th in NSW State Titles (NSW State Team qualifier for National Titles)
- 3rd at Barney Miller Classic
- 4th at Sandbah Cadet Cup
2023
- NSW State Team member – Nationals 3rd Round finish (U14 Girls)
- 2nd at Barney Miller Classic
- 4th at Sandbah Cadet Cup
- Qualified for Cross Country State Titles with North Coast Regional Team
2022
- 5th at Rip Curl Grom Search Newcastle
2021
- 1st at Barney Miller Classic
- 5th at Billabong Oz Grom Cup

Frankie Freudenstein
The younger twin, Frankie Freudenstein, shares her sister’s love for the ocean, beginning her surfing journey at just three years old alongside their dad. Known as "Frankenstein" by mentor Jimmy Wags, her determined work ethic is evident in her powerful approach to surfing and skating. Her energetic and playful personality reflects her passion for adventure and staying active.
2024
1st at Surfest Cadet Cup (Under-14s, Tuncurry)
7th in NSW State Titles (NSW State Team qualifier for National Titles)
4th at North Coast Regional Titles
2nd at Barney Miller Classic
2023
Qualified for Cross Country State Titles with North Coast Regional Team
2022
7th at Billabong Oz Grom Cup
JIRI COOKE

Jiri is a fearless 13-year-old surfer and skater who tackles every challenge head-on. Whether he’s carving the waves or cruising the streets, he brings relentless drive and intensity to everything he does. He lives on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales and is always hunting down the swells. Jiri has excelled in local surf events and school competitions, as well as being selected for bigger surf events, showcasing his growing talent. As a dual American citizen, he has a unique edge and a global perspective. With a dream to compete in the World Surf League and charge Pipeline, Jiri is committed to pushing his limits, mastering new tricks, and ready to take on any obstacle and achieve his goals.