Sambazon On The Set of "Soul Surfer" the Story of Bethany Hamilton

Bethany Hamilton, pro surfer and Sambazon Ambassador, takes her inspiring life story to Hollywood in “Soul Surfer.” After an almost fatal shark bite, Bethany came back to the ocean and to surfing and is once again competing against the world’s best surfers. “Soul Surfer” is a tale of Bethany and how she uses her past to inspire people around the world.

Just recently halfway through filming, Bethany asked Sambazon, one of her favorite supporters, to come out to the set and help keep everybody energized and rejuvenated. Sambazon was on the set everyday and supplied smoothies, sorbet and açaí bowls to all that grew weary in the hot sun of the North Shore. Coolers were constantly refilled only to have actresses such as Helen Hunt asking how she could get more! Once people started feeling the uplifting benefits and tasting the delicious flavor of açaí, Sambazon became more than a “hit” on the set of Soul Surfer. There was always a helping hand whenever Sambazon rolled up, security guards would grip a drink in hand boasting “shakas” and big smiles.

Bethany often drinks açaí smoothies made with Sambazon Pure Açaí Smoothie Packs in the morning before starting her day, and the producers at Soul Surfer, not wanting to miss a beat, chose to incorporate this into their film. Bethany personally set this scene up for the directors and explained how her mom would whip up a couple of smoothies every morning before sending the kids off to school. To get the perfect shot, gallons and gallons of açaí smoothies were blended and drank by the actors and everyone else on the set. You could literally see people turning purple with açaí happiness!

We’re looking forward to an amazing and compelling film, so make sure to check out Soul Surfer in theatres this October!

Aloha,
Sam Custin (Sambazon Hawaii Brand Ambassador)

Profile: Sara Davis, Professional Triathlete and Sambazon Ambassador

"I am a soccer player turned Triathlete, who starts my day off everyday with a Sambazon açaí bowl. I started playing soccer at the age of 5, which earned me an athletic scholarship and an education at the University of Washington and California State University of Northridge. Leading a healthy lifestyle and athletics were always a passion of mine. After college I decided to try my luck at playing professional soccer overseas in Italy, Sweden and Amsterdam. I had some luck, made all three professional teams, but had issues with a working visa.

After losing hope for my professional soccer career, I knew I wanted to have an active lifestyle but was not quite sure where to go. I moved to Hawaii for a couple months and it just happened to be during the preparation of the Kona Ironman. I was enthralled by these athletes; swimming 2.4 miles, biking 112 miles then running a marathon after. I didn’t even know that was possible. I ran into a particular triathlete that maybe changed my life. I wish I could remember his name. Anyway, this man was in his 70’s and competing in this Ironman. He was 9-time champion of his age group. The most in shape 70 year old I have ever seen in my life. I had a great conversation with him and he has inspired me for the rest of my life.

The day I moved home, I looked into buying bikes. I bought a crappy road bike and started training blindly. I signed up for my first race about 6 months later called the LA Tri Series in San Dimas sprint. I won my age group and was 3rd woman overall. I was hooked. I got my first sponsor after that race, Ladera Cyclery, who hooked me up with a better bike and I haven’t looked back since. My first year I was undefeated in my age group, I qualified for National Championships in which I placed 15th. Last year, I competed in my first Half Ironman, Vineman 70.3 and also qualified for World Championships for the sprint distance in Gold Coast, Australia in which I placed 10th in the World, first American.

Going into my 3rd year of Triathlon I expect big things. I am competing in 4 Ironman 70.3’s and hoping to exceed my goals in which I honestly could not do without Sambazon. I am looking forward to a successful season and celebrating another year of living a healthy and active life, enjoying every second of it.

The first time I discovered Sambazon was 6 years ago when I was sick and my friend suggested that I try an açaí bowl at a local bagel shop. I was amazed by the antioxidants and the great taste of the purple berry. I felt better the next day and kept going back for more. I ended up googling Sambazon and ordering packets to make my own smoothies. Sambazon açaí has been my breakfast of choice since I tried it 6 years ago; they give me the energy I need to keep me going through my daily training sessions. To make my açaí bowls I used Almond milk, one pack of the original Sambazon açaí, a handful of blueberries or fresh mango and one banana blended up, topped with honey and vanilla almond granola.

Best Breakfast Ever!"

-written by Sara Davis, Professional Triathlete and Sambazon Ambassador

Part 3: Ocean Minded, Surfrider and Sambazon Work Toward Cleaner Beaches!

4Schools 4Months, Beach cleanup #3– Another solid beach cleanup at Strands. Capo Valley High Cleans up 210 pounds of trash for the month of March!

Here's some words from our friend and Ocean Minded Team Manager Frankie D’Andrea about the fourth beach cleanup.

"Today was the last clean up for Capo Valley High in March and they did a very impressive job this month. Over the course of four different clean ups at 30 minutes a clean, Capo High Surf team cleaned up 210 pounds of rubbish at Strands beach in Dana Point. The surf team was already down at the beach for their surf team meets so why not clean up their local spot. Today the team cleaned up 50 pounds of rubbish mostly consisting of plastic bottle tops, Styrofoam, straws and even a hyperemic needle. It was great to see the team work together and comb the beach for left behind trash from beach goers. Hats of to Coach Shultz and the Capo High Surf team for being so pro active and cleaning up Strands Beach. Capo Valley has the most trash collected to date in the Ocean Minded/ Surfrider 4 schools 4 months program, with a trash tally of 210 pounds in a month. Keep up the great work Capo and best of luck for the rest of the year."

-Frankie D'Andrea (Friend of Sambazon & Ocean Minded Team Manager)

Keep it Purple,
Kaia Lai - West Events Manager / SAMBAZON

Brazilian Art Has Come To Los Angeles

Sambazon's roots come straight from Brazil. So when we met Leticia Bufoni, one of Brazil's premier female professional skate boarders and now a Sambazon Ambassador, we jumped at the chance to sponsor her and a cause that's close to her heart.

Here's a quick write up from our friend and event producer Ana Paula Negrão on her latest event:

"It happened this past weekend March 27th at Exhibit A Gallery The Expo: Re:Board with boards from the 80's and 90's.

The night started out mellow with almost 400 people passing through the gallery during the night: art collectors, skaters, musicians, families and children. DJ Salada and Leticia Bufoni did a great job with very eclectic music from old school Brazilian punk rock bands to MGMT.

Bob Burnquist, Jorge Kuge, Lincoln Ueda, Thronn, Daniel Bourqui, Alvaro Porque, Nilton Neves, Lucio Mosquito, Rodrigo Gerdal, Andre Genovesi, Danny Ceresini, Diego Chaverinho, Fabio Bitao, Bozo, Fabio Castilho, Patiane Freitas, Yura, Samuca, Cupim, Vinicius Evaristo, Liza Araujo, Isabelle Donola and other skaters from Brazil showed up. Tony Alva stopped by to check out some Brazilian skate history also. Daniel Presto did live painting of 2 boards during the exhibit.

Sambazon was present to keep every one refreshed and hyped. For the ones that missed out you can still stop by the gallery until April 9th and check out some amazing artwork.

Exhibit A Gallery
1086 S Fairfax
Los Angeles, CA 90019

Tchau,
Ana Paula Negrão (Event Producer)"