About Challenges Foundation

Challenges Foundation was started by Nicolas Coster in 1998 as non-profit corporation based in Los Angeles, California. We are a non-political organization.

Board Members

Nicolas Coster

Nicolas Coster founded the Challenges Foundation in 1998 as a way of formalizing a natural gift for teaching scuba and snorkeling for over 30 years with disabled divers. He is a certified scuba instructor with NAUI, PADI since 1974; and HSA since 1983. Nicolas is also a licensed skipper with the U.S. Coast Guard. You probably recognize him from the more than 35 movies (such as All The President's Men, Reds and Betsy's Wedding); numerous Broadway and Off-Broadway plays; and countless television appearances.

Sarkes Demirjian

Sarkes Demirjian is an original board member and NAUI certified scuba diver since 1986. In addition to his many years of boating and scuba diving he is also a jeweler based in downtown Los Angeles. Sarkes has been istrumental in organizing the foundation's structure.

Steve Cortright

Steve Cortright is also an original board member, HSA certified scuba diver since 1993 and occasional sailor since childhood. He is a triple amputee since birth and grew up around Albany, New York. He always wanted to learn to scuba dive but could never find anyone who knew anything about it. After relocating to Southern California in 1986 and several failed attempts to get certified, he stumbled upon a group of people who would help him realize his dream.