Since it was founded by Dr. Dave Jensen in 2000 Surfaid has been working to save lives in impoverished yet surf rich areas. Picture backwater villages plagued by malaria and high infant mortality rates in West and North Sumatra, Nias, Sumbawa, and the Mentawai Islands. According to their website Surfaid offers “practical support such as materials to build water tanks, water taps and toilets for clean water and sanitation, mosquito nets to avoid malaria, materials for community health posts to support pregnant women, mothers and children and materials for evacuation roads.”
As a non-profit organization, Surfaid relies heavily on its ability to raise money through creative efforts like the Surfaid Cup contest series. The unique format of the Surfaid Cup lends itself perfectly to both friendly competition in the water and successful program development. It calls on community members to form surf teams, pull in funding, adopt a pro, and battle it out in the water for top honors.
This year’s circuit includes stops in Santa Cruz, Encinitas, and Malibu in California and Bondi, Manly, Perth, and the Gold Coast in Australia. Click here to find out how you can build or support a team and get directly involved. Also watch the video below from the 2017 Surfaid Cup in Santa Cruz for inspiration.
The following is a list of recent and upcoming 2018 Surfaid Cup dates and locations:
SANTA CRUZ, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 29TH
ENCINITAS, CALIFORNIA – MAY 12TH
BONDI, AUSTRALIA – MAY 18TH
PERTH METRO, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 4TH
MALIBU, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 8TH
MANLY, AUSTRALIA – SEPTEMBER 28TH
GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA – NOVEMBER 2ND
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