Empowering students to navigate life’s challenges, one wave at a time.

Our Services

Single Session - “Overcoming the Waves”

$500 | 1 hour

A motivational talk designed to inspire students to face challenges with resilience and self-belief. Andy shares his personal story of overcoming a stutter and completing a 1,240-day surfing streak, teaching students how to set achievable goals, embrace setbacks, and keep moving forward.

Half-Day Workshop - “Building Your Paddle Forward Toolkit”

$1,200 | 3 hours

A deep dive into practical strategies for personal growth. This interactive workshop includes group activities, goal-setting exercises, and personalized guidance on overcoming obstacles. Students will leave with a clear roadmap for navigating their own challenges.

Yearly Package - “Paddle Forward in Action”

$3,500 | 3 visits per year

Andy visits the school three times during the academic year to build on his core message. Each session tackles a unique theme:

  • Visit 1: "Starting Strong" – Finding motivation and setting goals.

  • Visit 2: "Mid-Year Momentum" – Overcoming challenges and staying resilient.

  • Visit 3: "Finishing Strong" – Reflecting on growth and celebrating achievements.

District-Wide Program - “Waves Across the Community”

Starting at $10,000 | Multiple schools within a district

Bring Andy’s inspiring message to multiple schools in your district. Each session is tailored to the unique needs of the audience, ensuring that students across the district feel empowered to navigate life’s challenges with confidence and purpose.

About Paddle Forward

Navigating Elements, Steering Towards Success

At Paddle Forward, we believe every student has the power to overcome challenges, set meaningful goals, and steer toward success—no matter what waves life throws their way.

Founded by Andy Carreno, a motivational speaker and lifelong surfer, Paddle Forward is built on the lessons of perseverance, resilience, and self-belief. Andy’s story of overcoming a childhood stutter and completing an inspiring 1,240-day surfing streak is a testament to the power of determination. When an injury brought his streak to an end, Andy embraced the setback as a new beginning, turning his focus to inspiring young people to find their inner strength and keep moving forward.

Our Mission
To empower students to embrace challenges, build resilience, and believe in themselves through motivational talks and workshops that inspire growth and self-confidence.

Why Paddle Forward?
Much like navigating waves in the ocean, life is full of unpredictable challenges. At Paddle Forward, we teach students that while they can’t control every wave, they can learn how to ride it with strength and purpose. Through Andy’s personal journey and practical advice, students gain the tools to overcome obstacles, set achievable goals, and take charge of their future.

Our Values:

  • Resilience: Challenges aren’t roadblocks—they’re steppingstones.

  • Self-Belief: Confidence is the foundation of every success.

  • Growth: Every day is a new chapter, full of opportunities to learn and thrive.

Join us as we inspire students to navigate life’s elements and steer toward their own success. Together, we’ll help the next generation paddle forward with purpose and determination.

What People Are Saying

"Andy's unique goal blends the beauty of witnessing the everchanging daily sunrise with the physical pursuit of surfing the ocean waves beneath the dawn of each new day.

He teaches us that goal-setting should be unique and true to oneself, bound only by the limits of imagination, creativity and personal aspirations."

-Gerry Vanasse | The Pingry School

“Andy captivated our students with his thoughtful and engaging approach. Instead of simply lecturing, he fostered a genuine conversation, encouraging our sixth graders to actively participate and explore how goal-setting could become part of their daily lives. His message of encouragement was both impactful and well-received by everyone in the room."

- 6th Grade Teacher | The Pingry School

"Andy's presentation was nothing short of inspiring! He connected with our students on a personal level, sharing his journey with honesty and passion. His message about resilience, self-belief, and goal-setting left a lasting impact on everyone in the room. Our students walked away feeling empowered to tackle their own challenges head-on."

-RWJ Barnabas Health Institute for Prevention and Recovery

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Contact Us

Not sure which session is the best fit for your school? Let’s discuss your goals and explore how Paddle Forward can make the biggest impact on your students.

Book a Free Consultation Today!
During this 15–20 minute call, Andy will:

  • Learn more about your school’s unique needs and challenges.

  • Share insights into the available sessions and programs.

  • Help you decide which option will resonate most with your students.

Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!

Let’s empower your students to navigate life’s waves with confidence and purpose!