The Giant's Foot Team
JACK Ucciferri
I was born and raised in Newport Beach, California. My parents instilled in me a deep love and appreciation of the ocean. I learned to sail and handle myself in the surf at an early age. I had wet hair for four straight years during high school - busy playing water polo, surfing, and life guarding at some of the best waves in Southern California . Then I took the logical next step, attending classes in between surf sessions at UCSB throughout my college years. Five years and many study abroad programs later I graduated with a double major in political science and history, the greatest group of friends in the world, a passport full of stamps, a home in Nicaragua, and too many goals for one life. The summer after graduation I was selected as a delegate to represent "USA Youth" at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in South Africa . Following that experience in “junior diplomacy,” I traveled to Mozambique to earn my PADI Dive Master Certificate. After those memorable and educational experiences I worked on several political campaigns, traveled, did some academic research, traveled, and then tried my hand in the business world for a while until I was in a position to pursue some other, more picturesque dreams. I have been living part time in Nicaragua for several years and in 2004 moved here with my wife, Susan.
CAROL Starr
I was born in Fairbanks, Alaska and raised in Northern New Hampshire, or "God's Country" as we call it, population 1,152, approximately. I grew up raring to get out and see the rest of the world. Thus far I seemed to have indulged that curiosity fairly well, having spent three years in Philadelphia, six in Boston, two and a half in New York, as well as 9 summers canoeing on the rivers and lakes of Northern Ontario as far north as the tip of the James Bay, a summer traveling around Western Europe, and three months exploring the vast wealth of culture spanning my own great country. Through all this I managed to earn a liberal arts degree at Tufts University, work for seven years in the customer service industry, three of which were spent bartending in some of Cambridge's most established and respected watering holes, and two years as the office manager of a small yet important nonprofit archive, not to mention, root for the Red Sox, learn to sail, and meet the man of my dreams.As a landlocked New Englander though, I have always fantasized (usually around January) about living in the tropics, on the ocean of course, Swiss Family Robinson style, so when Jack called Zach, who then asked me over dinner that night what I thought about moving to Nicaragua...well my answer was fairly obvious if you’re reading this. These days I mix business with pleasure keeping the books during the day, running the bar in the evening, and writing picturesque postcards to family and friends back home signed “Yours faithfully in paradise.”
CHAPIN Kreuter
My name is Chapin Kreuter and I was born October 27th, 1979. I was raised in Newport Beach, California with my younger sister Bristin by my parents Bob and Sue. I started surfing at age nine and it was the first thing I ever became passionate about. I discovered my second passion, soccer, which I had played on and off for years but didn’t take seriously until my senior year in high school at Newport Harbor when I decided I wanted to try to play professionally. I spent two years training and studying at various junior colleges in order to give myself the opportunity to “walk on” at the best program in the country, UCLA. In 2001 I enrolled at UCLA as a psychology student and made the men’s soccer team. In 2002 we won the Men’s Division I National Championship and in February 2003 we flew to Washington DC to meet the President. From Washington I flew to Belgium where I tried to play professionally but didn’t make any of the teams I tried out for. I wasn't’t ready to go home so my friend John and I traveled around the world for a year spending most of our time in Asia and surfing along the way. After getting home and working for a year Jack gave me the opportunity to be a part of Giant’s Foot Surf.
ZACH Baker
I grew up south of Los Angeles in Redlands, California which is in the inland empire, or the "909" for those in the know or fans of "The O.C." It wasn't as bad as they make it out to be but Redlands does have one problem...no beach. After spending my teen years and early twenties making coffee, flipping pizza, installing heating and air conditioning units, and framing houses I headed to school to climb the proverbial ladder and live by the sea. I received my B. A. in Environmental Studies from U. C. Santa Barbara and while there rekindled my love of boats. Strangely enough I did not meet Jack at our alma mater, but as shipmates on board the schooner Westward in the North Atlantic of all places. After school I went on to work on a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) research vessel, The Ballena, and the schooner Soundwaters , as well as several other less impressive but equally demanding vessels. I also managed to travel all over the North American continent after which I eventually moved to London where I waited tables and lived in the pubs. After a year in the "Big Smoke” I decided to return to the halls of academia and I earned a Masters degree in Public Administration from Columbia University in New York City . During my studies at Columbia I continued to stretch my sea legs as first mate aboard the 80 ft. schooner Shearwater where I navigated the traffic and shoals of New York Harbor and learned the ins and outs of the most important sail...the diesel engine. Eventually I got my fill of big cities, and it was time for me to get out into the country again. Southern Nicaragua had everything I was looking for and the rest is history.
SURF GUIDES
JARED
Jared came to Giant's Foot Surf with his good friend Paul as friends/guests during our first season. The following year they were invited to come be guides after graduation. A fluent spanish speaker and gifted masseur, enthusiastic fisherman, and all around fun guy. Add two guitars and Ninja Paul and you have the Giant's Foot Surf theme music and reigning beer pong champions.
JOHN
John, a childhood friend of Chapins, came to Giant's Foot Surf wearing a Thai work belt, and carrying a bag full of tools. John has been around the world surfing, biking, and traveling. He supports his wanderings as a tradesman and teacher. With a healthy spirituality John will buddha down with the best of them and is our resident artist, carpenter, dancer, and good time motivator.
PAUL
We were hesitant to hire Paul when we found out he was a Ninja but seeing as how he had two small nijitos to support and a recommendation from Jared we figured we should give him a shot. He is a little secretive but very polite. He seems to be able to obtain just about anything in terms of gear...rash guards, leashes, wax, skegs, poison arrows, liquid fear, cheap calling cards. I mean you name it this guy has it. Paul is like most ninjas, he enjoys playing his guitar, speaking Farsi, and studying global and personal conflict. If you need things, talk to Paul. He reminds us to watch our backs and play it safe like Ninja.
BOB
Bob has been a long time friend of Giant's Foot Surf and has worked as an educator, marine biologist, life guard, and body guard. He has your back. We like to call him planet Bob because there is just a whole world inside Bob. Mountains, beaches, deserts, oceans, cities, and villages...all in Bobs head. He knows things most Bobs will never know. Bob is our resident naturalist, diver, and voice of reason.
CHEFS
OWEN & SUSHILA
Sushila and Owen grew up in Santa Cruz, California. Soon after they met they embarked on a trip...to the tip of South America...by land. One day a beat up Chevy van rolled into Gigante and the two emerged claiming some distant connection to an old friend of Zach and Carols. They soon won everyone's hearts and rumors of their cooking abilities began to spread. When the chef positions opened up, a certain ninja, removed several key, but obscure, components to their van. After nearly a year we think they may have finally resigned themselves to the hard life of Giant's Foot surf camp Chefs, these two keep us healthy, laughing, and honest.
Giant's Foot Surf Nicaragua was founded in 2004 by Jack Ucciferri. His friends Zach, Carol, and Chapin came on as partners. Their collective vision was to offer a kind of surf vacation experience found nowhere else in Nicaragua. One that makes our guest feel at home, and makes us feel like our guests are more like our friends than our clients while still providing a high level of service. Our team has really made this dream a reality. When you come to stay with us we are your friendly hosts, knowledgeable surf buddies, and hard working staff all rolled into one. Read our individual bio's below. 
