【GoPro Journal 】VOL.1 GoPro was actually born out of surf culture! We look into the roots of GoPro, which is different from a mere tech company.

The prototype that founder Nick is wrapping around his hand.

The top-ranked action camera that captures marine sports, motor sports, and winter sports with a realistic feel is <GoProThe new model is a compact, palm-size body with excellent functionality and intuitive operation. The compact, palm-sized body offers excellent functionality and intuitive operation. With a wide variety of mounts and apps available, you can capture realistic, high-resolution photos and videos in any situation. This 【GoPro Journal is a series that explores the appeal of GoPro from HOUYHNHNM's point of view, which is loved by everyone from video beginners to professionals.

In this issue, we will introduce its roots and founders linked to surf culture.

Nick Woodman / Nick Woodman

It all started with a disappointing surf trip.

Founded in 2002, GoPro's founder and CEO is none other than Nick Woodman. He is 44 years old and a California native. Like many, Nick has had a rough time leading GoPro to success.

Prior to GoPro, Nick started an online promotional venture that didn't work out and he closed it in 2001. Nick then went on an overseas surfing trip, where he conceived the idea for GoPro's first model, the GoPro HERO, a 35mm film camera that could be worn on the wrist.

To be precise, the base idea itself had already been conceived, but during an extended surf trip around Australia and Indonesia, he became convinced that there was a need for a product that would record himself and his friends surfing. Until then, the only way to do this was to have someone take pictures of you from the beach.

Nick enjoying surfing.

Accessories purchased in Bali were the first source of funding.

Nick returned home from that surf trip and immediately immersed himself in development. To raise the necessary funds for development, he and his partner Jill, whom he would later marry, buy necklaces and belts with seashells in Bali and sell them in California. This is a savory, surfer-like episode.

In 2004, the first model of GoPro was completed, a 35mm film camera in a hard case that was secured to the wrist with a wristband. Nick drove around San Francisco and San Diego in his 1971 VW bus, his favorite car at the time, and exhibited at various trade shows. That same year, he received his first order at a trade show in San Diego.

In fact, it was a Japanese who placed the order as GoPro's first customer at that time.

The Biscuit" is the name of his beloved Wagen bus.

Along with innovative hardware, we established the GoPro style.

Since then, GoPro's cameras have evolved from 35mm film to digital, from digital to HD, and from HD to 4K, and the company has grown steadily, becoming a NASDAQ-listed company in 2014. Nick is one of the few successful businessmen in the U.S. in recent years to have made it in hardware.

With this in mind, we have taken a quick look back at the roots of "GoPro.

Steve Jobs famously said "Stay hungry, stay foolish" in a speech he gave at Stanford University. As if resonating with these values, Nick has successfully created a groundbreaking product from something he loves, surfing. In keeping with his roots, Nick's headquarters in California is said to be very relaxed and free. We will be sharing more details about this in the future in this 【GoPro Journal! Enjoy.

Text_Shinri Kobayashi