Torquay rippers making waves

TORQUAY’S Rip Curl staff are ready to ride waves this September for the SurfAid Make A Wave challenge.

Surfers will be getting in the water every day of next month to raise vital funds for remote surfing communities in need.

All funds will support basic healthcare and sanitary items in small villages in Indonesia, Nias, Mexico and the Solomon Islands.

Rip Curl head of environmental, social, and governance Shasta O’Loughlin said the brand was proud to partner with SurfAid to support its mission.

“The decision to partner with SurfAid was an easy one for us.

“Rip Curl is built on ‘the search’, a quest for adventure and uncrowded waves, which often takes us to some of the most remote corners of the world.

“Along the way, we encounter communities who live in these areas and supporting SurfAid’s work to improve their quality of life felt like the right thing to do.”

Recently, Ms O’Loughlin joined the Surf Aid team on trip to its project site in Rote, Indonesia.

During the visit, the crew saw established community gardens; education sites for seedings, composting and soil maintenance; fathers enjoying a cooking class; a positive parenting education session; and a Posyandu, a monthly community-based health check for pregnant women and children under five.

“After seeing firsthand how these fundraising efforts truly make a difference, I’m even more inspired to take on the challenge again,” O’Loughlin said.

“Knowing that SurfAid’s work is creating real impact in remote surfing communities makes us proud to be sponsors.

“They’re empowering these communities to build capacity and drive lasting change from within.”

To donate, head to makeawave.co