Enjoyable month of surfing caps off local donations drive

L-R: Surfing Victoria team members and Jan Juc locals James Wilson-Browne and Nathan Rivalland have finished fifth among teams in this year's SurfAid Make A Wave challenge. Photo: VINNIE VAN OORSCHOT

A BUSY month of fundraising for disadvantaged surfing communities has come to a close for Surfing Victoria.

Jan Juc residents and Surfing Victoria team members Nathan Rivalland and James Wilson-Browne have concluded their September donations drive for SurfAid’s Make A Wave campaign, raising more than $15,000.

This year’s effort marks back-to-back years Surfing Victoria has finished inside the top five among fundraising teams worldwide.

Surfing Victoria’s total fundraising amount has now risen to over $43,500 since the organisation joined the Make A Wave movement three years ago.

“It was another great year and the support from the local surfing community was awesome again,” Mr Rivalland said.

“It all started with a killer fundraising night at the start of the month, and it just continued from there.

“The $15,901 we raised this year will do a lot for surfing communities across the globe, things like accessing basic healthcare, assisting midwifery practices, and providing sanitary products. It was also an extremely enjoyable month of surfing, probably the best September conditions-wise in four years.”

Mr Rivalland and Mr Wilson-Browne, as part of the Make A Wave challenge, were required to surf every day during September while raising awareness and funds for SurfAid.

More than $500,000 has been raised by the Make A Wave challenge in 2023 alone, thanks to 1,306 surfers globally.

Rivalland and Wilson-Browne both said there was a noticeable difference this year in community fundraising, seeing several other fundraising events held by the community in addition to their own.

“It was clear to see the entire Surf Coast community, not just Surfing Victoria, has jumped on board this initiative this year,” Mr Wilson-Browne said.

“It was evident at events such as Honu Honi Surf Camp’s Black Tie Gala Night and the SurfAid Rock For Kids Fundraiser event at Jan Juc Surf Lifesaving Club hosted by Mitch Knapton, it was just super cool to see the local crew getting around it.

“It’s a good feeling knowing people are still willing to give back and we’re also seeing a lot more Board riding clubs getting involved too.”

To donate to SurfAid and the work it does for isolated surfing communities, head to makeawave.co/donate