The why from a few ocean minded change-makers.
Stop us if you’ve heard us mention this before, but people helping people help the world is a pretty great thing. For The Surf Issue, we wanted to shift some focus to a few better-than-good humans who are seeking change for the surf world in terms of conservation, accessibility, diversity and therapy. Definitely better than good. Whalebone asked the founders and leaders of these great organizations for just a few thoughts on their personal propulsion to change as well as what they hope to help enact. Look for the helpers.
Waves for Water
Mission: Clean drinking water
Founder: Jon Rose
A little bit about your organization:
Waves for Water is a humanitarian aid organization that provides access to clean drinking water for developing communities and disaster zones around the world.
The moment the water changed you:
I think I stood up on my first wave when I was 9 years old. I was in Mexico and my dad took me out and pushed me into some white water. And I think just being propelled by Mother Nature and that feeling that a surfer gets the first time they’re gliding along the water is not only memorable, but it’s quite profound.
The change you’re looking to make in water:
The change I’m trying to make in the world is to correct the imbalances around water scarcity, really tackling the global water crisis head-on, and trying to change the statistics and stop senseless sickness and death.
One thing anyone can do to help or how to get involved:
The best way for us, at least as it pertains to Waves For Water, is for people to join the Courier Program. The next time you’re traveling to an area that does have a need for access to clean water—you can sign up on our site at the Courier Program and set up a fundraiser, and raise money to buy water filters. We train you before your travels and then you implement those filters along their journey. That’s the best, most hands-on way to get involved. It’s a pretty amazing experience and puts you outside your comfort zone, but it’s also very simple.
Website: wavesforwater.org
A Walk on Water
Mission: To provide surf therapy for children with special needs
Co-founder: Steve Lippman
A little bit about your organization:
Harnessing the ocean’s transformative powers, A Walk On Water delivers life-changing surf therapy to children with unique needs and their families. Founded in 2012, a Walk On Water constantly strives to enhance our programs by strengthening communities and providing access, while remaining true to our core values—empowering children with a feeling of pride and accomplishment, as they unlock their inner athlete through the emotional and incredibly transforming experience of surfing. They should walk away with a feeling they will hold with them forever. Our events are completely free for our athletes and their families to attend and we rely on our volunteers to support these events. Being a volunteer-based organization, we could not exist without the love and dedication of our volunteers, donors, and partners. Our volunteers are extremely passionate and we have the utmost appreciation and respect for everything they do.
The change you’re looking to make at a walk on water:
Celebrating our 10th year, A Walk On Water is working to expand our reach even further to more remote places and countries that may not have access to a lot of therapy—especially not surf therapy. We’ve served thousands and thousands across North America and would love to bring surf therapy to other deserving communities who would have no access otherwise.
One thing anyone can do to help or how to get involved:
Go to www.awalkonwater.org and sign up to be a volunteer. You don’t need to surf to get involved. We have many different positions to choose from. Or just come down to check out an event and share in the overall joy and see the smiles on the athletes’ faces. Introduce yourself, don’t be shy! We consider ourselves—our volunteers, partners and participants—one big family; Our AWOW Family. Another way to get involved is financially. As I mentioned, our events are completely free for the athletes and their families, so we always welcome donations, sponsors and partners. And if you are a business, you can offer your facilities and say, “Hey, I’d like to sponsor your event.” Wherever you want to be.
Website: awalkonwater.com
Black Girls Surf
Mission: Inspire more people of color to get in the water
Founder: Rhonda Harper
A little bit about your organization:
Black Girls Surf is a performance training camp for girls ages 7 to 17 who wish to compete in professional surfing.
The moment the water changed you:
The day I rode my first wave immediately changed who I was. I felt I could conquer the world. Being in the water was the healing property I needed to calm the rage I was carrying inside.
The change you’re looking to make in water:
As difficult as it may be, I wake up every day trying to inspire more people of color to get into the water, whether it’s surfing or swimming. I hope I’m doing a good job at that task.
One thing anyone can do to help or how to get involved:
Black Girls Surf is always looking for volunteers. If you’d like to get involved, you can reach us at blackgirlssurf@gmail.com.
Instagram: @blackgirlssurf
Rob Machado Foundation
Mission: Educate and empower young people to make sustainable choices
Founder: Rob Machado
The foundation’s mission statement:
The Rob Machado Foundation was founded upon the fundamental belief that our planet needs to be taken care of, and there’s no better place to start than with our local communities and our children. What started out in the early days as the introduction of gardening programs at local schools—encouraging children to connect with the land they live on and the food they eat—has evolved into a water filling station program across a growing network of schools and public places that helps deliver clean, filtered water while encouraging reusables over single-use plastic water bottles.
The change you’re looking to make in water:
Around the time we were starting, I was visiting schools for my daughters to eventually attend. At one of them I went to use the drinking fountain and the kids all said, “Ew, gross.” And it was gross. It was from the ’50s. The same one I used when I went to school, and it was gross back then. So the first thing we did was start putting water dispensers into schools, and then we moved into getting all the kids to use reusable water bottles—getting those into every kid’s hands and educating them about why that matters. We also do beach cleanups every month, which is another way to help educate and get people active. It’s grown a lot. This year we just signed a deal to get dispensers into every school in the San Diego County Unified District.
Our main thing is really education. I always say, if you can teach the kids, they’ll go home and teach their parents.
One thing anyone can do to help or how to get involved:
Eliminate single-use plastics from your life—and from your kids’ lives—as much as possible.
Website: robmachadofoundation.org
Operation Surf
Mission: Relief through surfing for veterans
Founder: Van Curaza
A little bit about your organization:
Operation Surf’s curriculum-based surf programs aim to inspire injured military and veterans to seek wellness in all aspects of their lives. We connect people with nature and something bigger than self through the therapeutic benefits of the ocean and surfing. Bringing individuals together with shared experiences revitalizes community and fosters feelings of belonging and support.
The change you’re looking to make in water:
The change I’m looking for in the water today, for myself, is an attitude adjustment from the stresses of life! Still today while I’m in the water it clears the stressful things in my mind which then brings me peace. I desire to bring this peaceful experience surfing gives to all who are in need.
One thing anyone can do to help or how to get involved:
It takes commitment from many hands and hearts to make our programs possible, and every generous act makes a difference—it truly saves lives. People can get involved in many ways: participation, financially, volunteering, or giving their time and resources.
Website: operationsurf.org
SurfAid
Mission: Improve the wellbeing of families in isolated communities through surfing
Founder: Dr. Dave Jenkins
A little bit about your organization:
Our programs focus on improving mother and child health. Most of the diseases that cause mortality and morbidity in children, mothers and pregnant women are preventable with things like appropriate sanitation, access to clean water, improved nutrition and antenatal care.
The moment the water changed you:
Back in October 1999, I was on my first surf trip to the Mentawais on a charter boat. I was taking a break from my stressful job as a career-focused doctor working out of Singapore. After a great surf one afternoon, I decided to go onshore to have a look around the village.
I saw a number of small graves, some of them quite fresh. After speaking with the head of the village, I came to learn I was the first doctor who had ever visited.
I ended up running a clinic at the chief’s request, and within an hour, there were over 200 people there needing help. Women and children were dying from malaria, malnutrition and inadequate living standards. These were all things that I knew were treatable and preventable through changes in behavior, such as basic hygiene and better breastfeeding practices. I was deeply affected by what I saw, and vowed to return to the Mentawai Islands with people and supplies.
The change you’re looking to make in water:
By taking the time to understand the challenges faced by families in remote communities, we can practice altruism even whilst getting barreled. Supporting these communities can go a long way in providing access to healthcare, clean water and adequate nutrition—things we often take for granted.
One thing anyone can do to help or how to get involved:
In September, we run a challenge called Make A Wave where we encourage surfers from around the globe to surf 30 days straight and fundraise for SurfAid. After a huge success in 2021, this year we are hoping to raise $1 million We encourage anyone and everyone to take part. You can preregister now at www.makeawave.co.
Website: surfaid.org
Un Mar de Colores
Mission: Promote diversity and inclusion through surf therapy
Founders: Mario Ordonez-Calderon and Kat Reynolds
A little bit about your organization:
Un Mar de Colores celebrates diversity and inspires inclusivity by providing free surf therapy and mentorship for children of color and underserved youth. Un Mar takes an intersectional approach to bridge the socioeconomic gaps that exist in surfing and the ocean outdoor space.
We are striving to empower the communities we serve by providing them the tools, resources, education and skills they need to enjoy the ocean without us. We want to create a sense of “familia”—community, connection and a sense of place, while encouraging independence. We provide basic ocean safety training to parents, and surfboards and wetsuits to all our families.
Going beyond the shore, we highlight the stories of Black, indigenous, people of color, Latinx, AAPI and LGBQTIA+ folks who have deep connections to the ocean in our #RepresentationMatters initiative. This space is integrally important to us so that our youth have people who look like them represented in surf and beach culture media. Our philosophy is “one ocean touches all shores”—that surfing has that power to connect us all and shift global culture to create systemic change.
The change you’re looking to make in water:
The change we’re looking to make in the water actually goes beyond the shoreline and into the everyday lives of these coastal communities. The ocean is our connector, our launching pad, but the change we’d like to see is equality in the world. We’re starting small with the skills we have: surfing, storytelling and mentorship because that’s what we know and that’s what we’re good at. We genuinely believe that’s all it takes.
One thing anyone can do to help or how to get involved:
Spread the word and share our story. We’re a grassroots organization so networking goes a long way in supporting us right now. If you’re in the position to, donate. You can help us hire more ocean educators and volunteer coordinators so the students get the experience and knowledge they deserve. Stay connected with us and volunteer.
Website: mar-de-colores.org
Instagram: @un.mar.de.colores
The Laru Beya Collective
Mission: Empower excluded youth through surfing
Co-founder & Exec. Director: Aydon Gabourel
About your organization:
The Laru Beya Collective is a nonprofit dedicated to empowering the historically excluded youth of Far Rockaway through surfing and mentorship.
The moment the water changed you:
When I was 7 years old on my uncle’s fishing boat in Belize, being out in the middle of the sea was like being on a different planet. Bringing a fishing boat to shore is a lot like catching a wave and riding it in. I’m a thalassophile, I need to be near the ocean all the time.
The change you’re looking to make on the water:
I would like to see a lineup that is more representative of our Far Rockaway community. Our programs are structured around our mission to diversity.
One thing anyone can do to help or how to get involved:
Volunteer participation and monetary donations are essential to our collective providing free surf lessons, snacks, gear and equipment for our mentees. We invite everybody to sponsor a youth for our Summer Surf 2022 Program by making a financial donation. And if you live in New York, we welcome you to volunteer at our surf camp this summer.
Website: larubeyacollective.com
Surfrider
Mission: Coastal and ocean conservation
CEO: Dr. Chad Nelsen
A little bit about your organization:
The Surfrider Foundation is a grassroots coastal and ocean conservation organization with 200 chapters and clubs across the U.S. that fight for clean water and healthy beaches every day.
The moment the water changed you:
I don’t remember not being in the water. I feel like I’ve been at one with the ocean since I was a little kid. From 2 to 4 years old, I lived on a small tropical island called Saipan in the South Pacific and then grew up in Laguna Beach, surfing, swimming, lifeguarding and fishing. I’ve been in and out of the ocean since before I can even remember.
The change you’re looking to make in water:
Growing up in Southern California, I watched us love the ocean to death. Overdevelopment started causing water pollution issues. We overfished the ocean. The rocky reefs, where I was snorkeling, diving and fishing, were fished out. I realized that if we don’t actually actively do something to take care of these places, that downhill trajectory is going to continue. That’s what motivated me to get involved with Surfrider and ocean and coastal conservation. We can live in harmony with our environment, now and in the future, if we’re intentional about it.
One thing anyone can do to help or how to get involved:
Join the Surfrider Foundation as a member and get involved with your local chapter at Surfrider.org.
