Two Dreams, One Boat Ride

Patagonia's Keith Malloy

Wave of Compassion (WOC), the charity organization created to help raise money for Surf Aid International (SAI), has been working for months on a fundraising campaign that might be just as beneficial to the donators, as it is for those who will receive the fruits of their support. The organization, with the help of a multitude of sponsors from within the surf industry, has scheduled a 10 day boat trip through the Mentawais, which will not only include mind blowing surf, but will also allow those on board an opportunity to visit the Mentawai people in their own villages and environments, an aspect typically absent from most boat charters that cruise the island chain.

With a goal of raising $100,000 to benefit SAI, a WOC sweepstakes is currently underway offering donators a shot at winning an all expenses paid dream trip for two on board the M.V. Midas, a luxury yacht operated by the Saraina Koat Mentawai surf charter group. It’s hard to imagine the surfer who wouldn’t be enticed to throw down some change, help a fantastic cause, and earn themselves the opportunity be selected to go on the boat trip of a life time, one that will be laden with pros, surf journalists, photographers, and camera equipment. As the raffle’s 12:00 a.m. September 13th deadline approaches, WOC has announced several interesting developments in this continuously evolving story.

While there is mostly nothing but positive news to report, there has been one major development that isn’t of the cheeriest nature. Jason Bogle, who was originally scheduled to go on the trip, was forced to reenter the hospital in order to receive further treatment for his ongoing battle against bone cancer. According to a press release from Wave of Compassion, Jason is currently back at home recovering and is doing well. While his absence is unfortunate, and WOC expresses their regrets at not being able to have Jason along, they have managed to recruit a worthy applicant to fill the slot.

It was announced Wednesday that RVCA’s Conan Hayes, a close friend of Jason’s, will be the surfer stepping in to round out the crew of mind-blowing talent on the cruise. Conan, however, is not the only last minute big name addition to the crew. WOC also reported on Wednesday that Patagonia has officially closed the bidding on an auction that was being run for the final spot aboard the Midas. After making WOC an offer they couldn’t refuse, Patagonia announced that they had secured a spot for Keith Malloy on board the yacht.

Conan and Keith will join Quiksilver’s Strider Wasilewski, Reef’s Ben Bourgeois, and Billabong’s David Rastovich on the voyage, providing the WOC excursion with an incredibly deep talent pool. The pros are reportedly exceptionally enthusiastic about the opportunity to lend their names and skills to this noble cause. "I’m really excited to be part of the Wave of Compassion event," says Dave Rastovich, "when you think about the psychology of a waterman, how the focus is on having an open mind and a balanced life, it should make one choose to help those who are less fortunate. This event benefiting Surf Aid and the Mentawai people is a perfect expression of that ideal."

Joining the pros, will be Surfer Magazine journalists Steve Barilotti and Scott Bass, as well as legendary lens man Jeff Divine. The three will be along representing Surfer Magazine’s support for the cause, and will be working hard to provide pics and words for an upcoming feature about the trip. Furthermore, a film crew, headed by surf filmmaker Sonny Miller, and videographer Justin Krumb, will be aboard to shoot footage for a documentary scheduled to run on Fuel TV.

RVCA's Conan Hayes drops for the cause.

Fuel, the newest addition to an already long list of sponsors, announced its commitment to the project last week and will be creating a one-hour television special compiled from footage shot during the trip. The 24-hour action sports network also recently displayed their dedication to this philanthropic cause, by making a $25,000 donation to Surf Aid International’s adopt a village program. Fuel joins Billabong, Quiksilver, Oakley, Hurley, and Surftech in supporting adopt a village.

The project, which has already proved its effectiveness at helping to fight malaria in the Mentawais, offers SAI unique opportunities to provide medical treatment and education to people of the district, two key factors in combating the deadly disease. When asked about the networks decision to provide this amazing level of support, CJ Olivares, Fuel’s Senior Vice President and General Manager replied, "we’re just doing what we think everyone should." Fuel is scheduled to begin running promos this week promoting SAI, WOC, and the boat trip raffle. With its commitment to both the WOC trip, and SAI’s adopt a village program, it is obvious that Fuel is a wholehearted ally of the Mentawai people, and it is clear that WOC and SAI have gained another staunch supporter in their battle against malaria.

But, as far as the Wave of Compassion contest is concerned, the bottom line is this. The lucky raffle winner will not only be going on an all expenses paid boat trip to Indo with their best friend, they also will be trading waves with five of the best surfers on the planet. Plus, they have a very real shot at having their picture run in Surfer, not to mention the fact that footage of them ripping Mentawai perfection will be pumped into 5 million households nationwide thanks to Fuel TV. Basically, the winner will be living every mortal surfers dream.

And what’s the upshot of all this? The Mentawai people get to live their dream too. With the help of SAI, surf industry contributors, WOC, and WOC contest participants, perhaps someday the inhabitants of these picturesque islands won’t have to live in a world where malaria kills at least on child in over 50% of their families. Perhaps, with your help, SAI can provide these people with proper medical treatment, proper education, and proper disease prevention tools so that they can have the opportunity to see their culture prosper financially, educationally, and spiritually without the specter of disease lurking in every corner. WOC has provided us, as surfers, a unique opportunity to live our dreams, but it also has allowed us to help the people of the Mentawais realize theirs as well.

For more information on Wave Of Compassion, and to enter the raffle by making a donation visit www.waveofcompassion.org. For more information concerning Surf Aid International and the plight of the Mentawai people visit SurfAidInternational.org.