Byron surfers ride for remote communities

EVERY day this September, surfers around the world have been hitting the water as part of the Make A Wave challenge, raising money for families in remote Indonesian surf communities.

Now in its fifth year, the SurfAid initiative has drawn record support, with more than 1700 surfers from 23 countries taking part.

By late September the campaign had already raised more than $900,000, with the $1 million mark now in sight.

“We’ve seen record levels of fundraising and participation this year,” SurfAid’s campaigns and communications manager Matt Wiseman said.

“It’s the fifth year of the challenge and our biggest yet. Closing in on the $1 million mark would be a dream for us.”

Among those taking part are professional surfers Owen Wright, Stephanie Gilmore, Sally Fitzgibbons and Jack Robinson.

But the heart of the campaign can be found on local beaches, where young surfers are paddling out every day.

Twelve-year-old Michaela ‘Mako’ Tischler said joining the challenge was about both surfing and helping others.

“I figured I’d sign up for SurfAid this year because it’s a really good foundation and it’s just good to help all those remote surf communities that don’t have supplies,” she said.

“It’s fun to do with your community and friends, and it feels good to be helping people in need.”

Fellow Byron surfer Tex McGrath said the experience had shown him the power of surfing to bring people together.

“I’d love to help people in need in remote surf communities and provide them with clean water,” he said.

“What I love most is that it brings people together, it’s fun and it’s a really good cause.”

Wiseman, who is taking on the challenge himself for the first time, said it was tougher than expected.

“It’s much harder than it sounds. You’ve got to contend with weather, swell and everything else,” he said.

“We encourage people to just get in the water however they can, even if it’s a swim or body bash.”

Donations remain open until the end of the month at makeawave.co

// BY DAVID COPE, ANGUS SMITH