Tere Karabatos
Founder and Executive Director of AIR.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Tere grew up with a love for surf and skating. By the age of 20, he had the opportunity to be a part of companies like Volcom and Black Flies in their early days. Since then, Tere has worked with Salman Agah, Chris Pastras, and for over ten years with Tony Alva. Being a part of the surf and skate industry, Tere has seen how addiction has led to the loss of so much God-given talent and too many lives.
AIR is an organization that helps amateurs and professionals in our industry to find sobriety from alcoholism and addiction.
Tere is a graduate of UCLA’s Drug and Alcohol program and has worked in drug and alcohol recovery for a decade. Sober for over 16 years, Tere is married with two children.
Tony Alva
Founder and Board Member of AIR.
Santa Monica native, 60-year-old Tony Alva, is an original Z-Boy and considered by many to be the godfather of modern day skateboarding. Alva’s brand of aggression and bravado in the ‘70s changed the way skaters were viewed forever. Tony is also credited with starting the first ever skater owned/operated board brand, first to use layered maple plywood for decks & the guy who suggested adding collar padding and a heel cup to the Vans Authentic to create the Vans Era, the first shoe designed by skaters for skateboarding.
As a recovery advocate, Tony has seen first-hand how addiction has hurt so many people in the surf and skate industries. He is committed to helping other athletes find sobriety, spirituality, and peace in their lives.
Tony lives in Los Angeles, and still surfs and skates every day. He is the owner of ALVA and Alva Surfcraft, and is sponsored by Vans.