Dr. Lisa Carulli
Lisa Carulli grew up along the eastern Florida shores and to this day has never lived more than two miles from the ocean. On her first attempt at surfing, she stood up and has been hooked ever since, becoming more than competent in short time – after surfing for only a year, she won the ESA’s North Central Florida District Championship. Carulli also competed in NSSA events and was chosen for the National Team. This gave her the opportunity to travel and compete doing what she loved best.
After winning both the East Coast and U.S. Girl’s Division titles, Carulli set her sights on California and became a permanent resident in Ocean Beach, San Diego in 1987, then a hotbed of women’s competitive surfing. She competed professionally on the Bud Pro Tour and the IPS WQS for over 11 years, achieving final rankings of 2nd, 5th, 7th on the WQS tour before hanging up her jersey in 1998.
While competing on a professional level, Carulli was able to attend university, earning a Master of Science degree in Rehabilitation Counseling with a Neurological Psychology emphasis at San Diego State University. She has been working with people with traumatic brain injuries for over 20 years and has found her true passion in this career. She has designed and implemented cognitive rehabilitative programs that have helped people return to some semblance of ‘quality of life’ after traumatic brain injuries.
Currently Carulli works as a counselor and professor for the San Diego Community College District. In addition, she works with “Wounded Warriors,” helping returning veterans from overseas. “Many of these guys love surfing; it is very therapeutic for them. The ocean has many healing aspects to it.” After years of dedication in her chosen field, Carulli’s continued study resulted in a doctorate degree from San Diego State University.
Photos courtesy Lisa Carulli
Video contributions by Bob Bolen, Michael Baytoff, Richard Bernardi, Bruce Chrisner, Jon Coen, Eastern Surf Magazine, Donald Cresitello, Tom Dugan, Vdon Farias, Ryan Gamma, Norm Grosskruetz, Ray Hallgreen, Carlos Hernandez, Pete Hodgson, Darrell Jones, Jon Ker, Nicola Lugo, Matt Lusk, Kem McNair, Dick “Mez” Meseroll, Eric Olsen, Larry Pope, Tony Prince, Dan Przygocki, Barry Schulz, Joanne O’Shaughnessy, Jon Steele, Mike Vuocolo, and Chris Wilson.
