The company was founded by Nick Woodman in 2002, motivated by a surfing trip to Australia in which he was hoping to capture quality action photos, but could not because amateur photographers could not get close enough. The 'GoPro' name came about as Woodman and his surfing friends all aspired to become professional surfers as 'going pro' was the ultimate goal and the only way to be filmed on the water at that time. The camera range was branded 'Hero' as their aim was to capture close-up action shots that made the subject look and feel like a hero!
