NO&YO’s Ambassador’s Program is made up by extraordinary individuals that make the program an invaluable part of the company’s core philosophy. NO&YO prides itself on having these exemplary humans in our company. And without exception and further a due, NO&YO is proud to introduce the newest NO&YO Ambassador Daniel Lopez. Daniel lives in Guatemala and NO&YO had a chance to meet him and his family a few weeks ago when visiting the Port of San Jose during NO&YO’s Guatemalan explorations. In brief, Daniel finds passion in life through his family and sports; especially outdoors sports like surfing and paddle boarding. That passion, however, extends to nature which brought him to the rescue of a group of Ridley sea turtle eggs. He ultimately ended up freeing them into the ocean and helping them continue the cycle of life. [caption id="attachment_10141" align="aligncenter" width="940"] Morning run to the water. Photo curtesy of Daniel Lopez[/caption] So, let’s welcome Daniel by getting to know a little more about him: What "adventure" means to you?

It means taking my surfboards and going in search of waves, in search of places with lots of nature but few people, seeing different angles of view from my SUP and to finally capture it with a good photograph.

What’s your favorite adventure to-date?

In September 2014, while jogging 10k at night on the beach I found a black Olive Ridley sea turtle spawning. I decided to protect the small and defenseless 65 eggs, take care of them with my three children for 45 days until they were all born. To describe the emotions I had in words is very difficult, but when I released the baby turtles into the Pacific Ocean, I realized that they were just like me because they loved the salty sea water and the emotions that the ocean currents bring despite all its dangers.

[caption id="attachment_10138" align="aligncenter" width="772"] Photo curtesy of Daniel Lopez[/caption] What’s your largest accomplishment (by your standards) in adventure/exploration?

Being a surfer, 7 times national champion, having the experience and pleasure of more than 25 years riding waves, ripping waves, riding tube waves while enjoying it with friends, and to be the first Guatemalan wave rider who has surfed 15 feet waves.

[caption id="attachment_10144" align="aligncenter" width="720"] Photo curtesy of Daniel Lopez[/caption] What do you want to explore/pursue/try in the future? Any plans?

Thanks to a friend that inspired in me to get to know more of Guatemala, in the short term I plan to visit some nearby lagoons and rivers. For example, a lagoon found at the Pacaya Volcano, a lagoon in the crater of the volcano Ipala and Lake Atitlan. And then potentialy the lagoon Chichoj, Lake Peten and Izabal Rio Dulce. The plan is to go in search of places full of nature with my paddleboard while enjoying both its local foods and embracing its ecology.

How do you like to explore? What’s your adventure style?

I would describe myself as an aquatic person; meaning that if there is no water where I can take my paddleboard or go surfing I don’t feel like myself. Even though I like running in nature, I identify more with the power of the ocean and its surrounding landscape.

[caption id="attachment_10143" align="aligncenter" width="940"] Photo curtesy of Daniel Lopez[/caption] Why did you want to become a NO&YO ambassador?

I closely identified with the style of the brand, its clothes, and because NO&YO wants to prove that the world is more efficient when you live with passion and enjoy nature from any angle, as long as it is you living it and do not expect others to comment on it on your behalf. NO&YO is part of my natural feeling, I love the ambassador program. 

What was the last road less traveled you took?

A few days ago my friends and me decided to find some places to surf and SUP. The beautiful thing is that we found empty waves, rivers and a lagoon for SUP and surf. The places we found are still places less traveled, with no drinking water (the only thing to drink around is coconut milk –we feel really bad for Daniel – editor’s comment), but they provide many miles of empty beaches without anyone around. The less traveled places are very beautiful yet you do need some comfort from time to time, hehehe.

[caption id="attachment_10142" align="aligncenter" width="894"] Morning SUP. Photo curtesy of Daniel Lopez[/caption] What’s the most important “freedom” to you? What makes you free?

Just like a little turtle, which longs to touch the seawater for the first time, I need that contact with the sea to feel free. With the waves, I feel I'm in the right place, and if there are no waves I can paddleboard a few miles away and meditate that life is too beautiful to sit in traffic at a sunrise or sunset. For me, it’s much better to live in the ocean, like the turtle; no matter how long it swims or the fear that a fish may eat it, it lives with passion for a few minutes, hours or years of its life.

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