On the weekend of September 9th, IndoTeak Design joined 12 other teams in the SurfAid Malibu Cup at Surfrider Beach, Malibu California. The goal of the event is to raise money and awareness for SurfAids Mother and Child Health programmes, benefitting remote villages in the Mentawai Island chain in Indonesia. This organization is near and dear to our hearts as the majority of our products, our factory and our friends/employees live in this part of the world.
Surfers travel from around the globe to enjoy some of the best waves in the world that break of these tiny atolls and islands. In a starke juxtaposition from the million dollar boats filled with traveling surfers, the villagers on theses islands live very primitive conditions. Each year dozens of women and children die because of filthy living conditions and lack of education towards basic health needs that we all take for granted.
Started by a group of concerned surfers in 2000 who were struck by the needless suffering and preventable death in the Mentawai Islands. Today we are proud that more than 95 per cent of the SurfAid program staff are Indonesian nationals who work hand-in-hand with the communities of Western Sumatra, Sumbawa and Sumba, to bring about positive, sustainable health change while respecting the unique culture and customs of these islands communities.
The event this past week was one small way we found a way to help this cause. With teams raising funds through donations, the grand total for the SurfAid Cup raised a record $155,000. Our own team from IndoTeak Design raised $11,000. It’s not too late to donate: DONATE HERE
The format of the event is a one day, tag team contest where a team of four members gets paired with a guest professional for their team. The day started with small, clean conditions as the IndoTeak Team gathered together to pick our guest pro. Devon Howard, Myself, Phil Castagnola Jr. and Indy Callaway added 2 time world champion Jen Smith to the team and took to the water in heat one.
While the competition side isn’t the focus, one can get sucked into the challenge of not losing out in the first round. With Devon and Jen anchoring or team with a couple rides of the contest, team IndoTeak Design made it to the finals.
While we didn’t win the event, eventually placing 6th, we couldn’t be happier for SurfAid who will use the money raised to actually save the lives of women and children. Knowing that our involvement made a difference is something we are humbled and proud of. Many thanks to Erin and Dr. Dave at SurfAid for having us and to IndoTeak Design owner, Frank Ragen for being so generous in supporting this event. See you next year!
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