SurfAid and Rip Curl are excited to announce the launch of the fourth annual Make A Wave challenge. Surfers worldwide are encouraged to surf every day in September to raise funds for SurfAid’s vital programs, improving access to healthcare, clean water, and food security in remote surf communities.
Since its inception in 2021, Make A Wave has united surfers from 28 countries, raising close to $2 million for SurfAid. This remarkable effort has allowed SurfAid to positively impact tens of thousands of people in Indonesian and Pacific island communities such as the Mentawai islands, where access to basic services is limited.
Rip Curl continues to be a driving force behind this initiative, championing the challenge with their commitment to exploring and protecting the remote surf locations cherished by surfers. Notable Rip Curl team athletes participating this year include Owen Wright, Erin Brooks, and Rosy Hodge.
Reflecting on his previous experience, Make A Wave Ambassador Owen Wright said: “Participating in the Make A Wave challenge was an incredible experience. Knowing that each wave I caught helped families gain access to the things we take for granted like clean water made every session even more meaningful. I can’t wait to do it again this September.”
Participants in the Make A Wave challenge will receive fundraising tips, coaching, and opportunities to share their daily surf adventures on social media with the hashtag #MakeAWave. By sharing their journeys, surfers will become part of a global community dedicated to making a meaningful difference in the places they love to surf.
This year, Freely Travel Insurance joins the movement as a Community Partner, offering tangible encouragement to Australian participants. Freely’s partner the Z Zurich Foundation has committed up to $100,000 to match the first $100 raised by Australian participants and Make A Wave ambassadors, while Freely will reward these surfers with an exclusive Make A Wave x Freely rashie.
SurfAid CEO Doug Lees expressed his excitement about this year’s challenge: “Make A Wave harnesses the transformative power of surfing to support those who need it most. With the unwavering dedication of our global surfing community, we’re set to achieve an even greater impact. Together, we can ensure that families in remote surf communities have access to essential services like healthcare, nutritious food, and clean water.”
Surfers of all ages and skill levels are invited to join the Make A Wave challenge, whether individually or as part of a team with friends, family, schoolmates, colleagues, surf clubs, surf schools, or boardriding clubs. Participants will also have the chance to win prizes from top surf and adventure brands, including Rip Curl, Boost Mobile, YETI, Creatures of Leisure, Perfect Wave Travel, Dylan Shapes, Spooked Kooks, URBNSURF and GoPro.
Sign up now at makeawave.co and challenge yourself to surf every day in September. Together, we can create a wave of impact for families in the heartlands of surfing.
