Jesse Billauer (born February 24, 1979) is a well known surfer from California.

Billauer, who is a native of Malibu, suffered an accident on March 25, 1996, hitting his head with a rock after falling off his surfboard. He required hospitalization for several months. As a consequence of the accident, he became a quadriplegic.

Billauer was told by doctors that he would never surf again. Not willing to give up on his favorite sport, Billauer became convinced that he would prove the doctors wrong.

Not long after the accident, Rob Machado, (of the Sonic Restaurant television commercials fame), and who is considered by many to be one of the greatest surfers of all time, became Billauer's friend. The two began visiting the beach together, and Billauer felt further inspired by these turns in his life to go on trying to beat the doctor's predictions.

Billauer eventually did return to surfing, although he can only perform a certain amount of tricks due to his condition. He spends much of the summer in San Diego's waters, and has become an inspirational guide to many other surfers, either professionals or aspiring ones.

Billauer enrolled at San Diego State University, with an emphasys on communications. He is also a motivational speaker, and a company president. His company is named "Life Rolls On". He is the president of a foundation, and he organizes a yearly golf tournament.

The 2003 Docu-Film Step Into Liquid was partly based on his life and his friendship with Machado.

External link

• (Life Rolls On)