iframe>Surfers flooded to the Malibu Pier to compete in the second annual SurfAid Cup on Sept. 7-9. The event was organized by SurfAid, a non-profit humanitarian organization based out of Indonesia that raised more than $60,000 during the three-day event.
The history of the organization dates back to 1999. That was the time when Dr. Dave Jenkins followed the path of many surfers around the Mentawi Islands, a chain of islands off the coast of Sumatra. During one particular trip, Jenkins decided to explore the island and was shocked by what he found: hundreds of little graves covered the local graveyards. After getting more information from the natives, Jenkins discovered that people on the island were dying from malaria, malnutrition and inadequate living standards. Jenkins opened a small medical clinic in the town and since then, SurfAid has grown to four offices around the world in Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Indonesia.
“We are a non profit humanitarian organization,” the organizator and Executive Director of SurfAid Randal Schober said.
Connor Hall, Pepperdine graduate of 2012, was competing in SurfAid competition for the first time. He competed for the Waves surf team during his sophomore and junior year and has surfing experience of almost nine years.
“We didn’t get the best of waves, but it was fun being out there, especially for a good cause,” he said. The participants of the competition also included Tony Silvagni. The 25- years old surfer first stepped on board at the age of 6. As of now, he is 2011 ISA World Longboard Champion and Gold Medalist for the USA surf team.
Among the supporters of the event were Australian pro surfer Simon Anderson, WCT (World Championship Tour) professionals Courtney Conlogue and Nathaniel Curran, as well as world champions and California natives Tom Curren, Jennifer Smith and Joel Tudor.
“This is our first event,” Schober said.
“And it has been very successful so we are definitely doing it again.”
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This weekend, September 7-9th, more than 300 athletes representing surf clubs from around the world will compete in the Malibu Surfing Association Classic Invitational.
