More often than not, surf contests are about winning, ego, self-expression, or a combination of all three. Then there’s the SurfAid Cup, which is about none of those things. Quick background: SurfAid is a 25-year-old globally recognized nonprofit that specializes in humanitarian work for local communities in some of the most wave-rich regions in the world. While needs vary, SurfAid’s main pillars are providing access to health care, clean water, sanitation and sustainable agriculture.
SurfAid
How do they do it? Through fundraisers like this. One of the organization’s main tools is the SurfAid Cups, held annually at Bondi, Manly and URBNSURF in Australia, and Malibu, Waco Surf, the Surf Ranch and Santa Cruz in the United States. The latter contest is happening this month on April 27.
Related: Giving Back and Taking Waves
The eighth annual Santa Cruz event will be held at Pleasure Point, the famous right-hand pointbreak on the town’s East Side. The event follows the boardriders relay format, where individuals add to their team’s total. The contest is capped at 10 teams, four surfers per team. Each group has a fundraising target of $5,000 or $1,250 per surfer. This year, SurfAid is hoping to raise $75,000 for health programs for remote Indonesian villages. To learn more and get involved, click here.
SurfAid
"The eighth annual SurfAid Cup Santa Cruz offers not only an epic day out on the waves with your surf buddies and favorite surf legends, but also the opportunity to be part of a powerful tradition,” SurfAid USA Board President Stuart Gasner said in a release. “Each year, the Santa Cruz surf community comes together to directly improve the health and livelihoods of people living in remote communities. Your one day of surfing will have a lasting impact on the people who need it most."
A bonus for Pleasure Point surfers: the top fundraising teams get to pick a fifth member from a lineup of pros and local legends. Santa Cruz has no shortage of that. Past selections include former world tour competitor and perennial standout Nat Young, big wave aficionados Shawn Dollar and Tyler Fox and longboard savant Robert “Wingnut” Weaver.
SurfAid
Another cool thing about the SurfAid is that it’s open to all ability levels. You don’t have to be the best in your local boardriders club to surf it. There are judges and scores, but this event is more altruistic. And yet, it provides those with the means to have an uncrowded session at one of California’s most high-profile pointbreaks. I’d call that a win-win.
Visit SurfAid.com for more information on the SurfAid Cup Santa Cruz.
Related: How Waves for Water Founder Jon Rose Redefined the Idea of Surf Travel
