Wave of Compassion: YOU could be on the cover of SURFER!

Surf with Rasta!

SURFER Magazine wants to send you on an Indo boat trip with Strider Wasilewski, Ben Bourgeois, David Rastovich, Jason Bogle and our team of writers and photographers.

No, no, seriously,...you!

You could be trading barrels with these surf stars, living the kind of dream trip that makes average surfers sick with envy. In fact, if you get a great shot while you're there, you might even make it into the mag. And we're doing it all because we want to help make a small corner of the surfing world a better place.

Quiksilver, Reef, Billabong, Saraina Koat Mentawai Surf Charters and SURFER have teamed up to support Surf Aid International's "Wave of Compassion," a fundraiser to benefit the health of the people of the Mentawais. One grand prize winner and a guest will enjoy a 10-day, all expense paid trip to the ultimate ocean playground. They will stay aboard the premier charter yacht, the M.V. Midas, take part in a cultural tour to learn about the native peoples of this amazing archipelago, and, of course, gorge themselves on perfect waves alongside four of the world's finest surfers. To be eligible to win the grand prize or one of the dozens of monthly prizes, all you have to do is donate a couple of bucks to this worthy cause.

Surf Aid International, a non-profit organization founded by surfing physician Dr. Dave Jenkins, has worked diligently for the past five years to stamp out disease and improve the quality of life for the greater community of the Mentawai Islands. The region is one of the poorest in the world, and consequently most areas lack clean water, sanitation and basic medical care. Most surfers that visit the island chain have very little contact with this community and wouldn't know that 50% of islanders suffer from malaria, and that 65% of all families have lost at least one child to preventable and treatable diseases like measles and diarrhea! The organization has made substantial improvements, but there is much work left to do. This is why Surf Aid International and the coalition of sponsors behind Wave of Compassion have reached out to the surfing community for this unique event.

To make a difference and become eligible to win the feel-good adventure of a lifetime, check out www.waveofcompassion.org. The event will run until mid-September, when the winner will be announced, but scores of other prizes like magazine subscriptions, surf forecasting subscriptions and clothing will be given out every month. The more you donate, the greater are your chances of winning, so get online and help out…the barrels are waiting.