Chip “Chipper Bro” Bell
Patagonia
Ventura, CA USA
"Zen and the life of Chipper Bro is a freestyle."
Career Roadmap
Chip “Chipper Bro”'s work combines: Action Sports, Environment & Nature, and Being Physically Active
See more careers and stories that connect to your interests.
Take Roadmap Quiz
Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Advice for getting started
When I first told my family and friends that I play frisbee, they all told me I need to do something else with my life. But all I wanted to do was surf and play frisbee. I set goals and worked hard to develop my skills with my team. When I called home a couple years later to tell everyone that we were world champions, they were all so happy for me! Becoming champions was a huge turning point for us in terms—we got recognition, sponsors, and tours!
Here's the path I took:
High School
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
I was born in Hollywood and raised in Santa Barbara, California.
2.
I spent a lot of my childhood surfing.
3.
I started playing Freestyle Frisbee with my friends and went to my first tournament in 1980—I set a goal to someday be on the finalist field.
4.
Whenever the surf was flat, I’d work on my Frisbee skills.
5.
In 1982 my Frisbee team and I were crowned world champions—afterward, we were able to secure sponsors and tour all over the world.
6.
After finishing a ten-year tour with the Pro Freestyle circuit, I began looking for a steady job with benefits because my wife and I were starting a family.
7.
Patagonia was hiring, so I applied and landed a job with the company as a cultural ambassador.
8.
In addition to working at the front desk for Patagonia, I also teach kids and adults how to surf through my business surfclass.com.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Family:
You need to do something better with your life. Go to college. Get an education. Do something!
How I responded:
When I first told my family and friends that I play frisbee, they all told me I need to do something else with my life. But all I wanted to do was surf and play frisbee. I set goals and worked hard to develop my skills with my team. When I called home a couple years later to tell everyone that we were world champions, they were all so happy for me! Becoming champions was a huge turning point for us in terms—we got recognition, sponsors, and tours!