Fundraising night makes waves for SurfAid

REMOTE surfing communities around the world will receive a generous boost following a successful fundraising event in Torquay.

Team Surfing Victoria’s fundraising duo and Jan Juc residents Nathan Rivalland and James Wilson-Browne kicked off their month of fundraising as part of SurfAid’s “Make A Wave” campaign, raising thousands of dollars to go towards disadvantaged surfing communities.

Mr Wilson-Browne said last Saturday’s event, hosted at 4 Pines Torquay, was a terrific showing of the local and extended surfing community.

“It was so great to see so many people again turn out for this year’s event, especially the surfing community on the Surf Coast.

“Those who arrived were super eager to help those in need and it was just a terrific example of the community spirit we have here on the Surf Coast.

“Everyone was connected through surfing on the night, which was awesome to see.”

With fundraising tallies still being finalised, Mr Rivalland said more than $8,500 was raised on the night for the second-straight year with hundreds raised in raffle items and from tickets sold.

“We didn’t think we could match what we did last year,” Mr Rivalland said.

“Last year’s night was just amazing, it was so good, but this year’s event lived up to last year’s and it was supported just as well, if not better, which made it very humbling given we’re just a small little fundraising team.”

Both Mr Wilson-Browne and Mr Rivalland will hit the local beaches each day for the rest of September as they continue fundraising for the Make A Wave campaign.

Last year, Team Surfing Victoria ranked third worldwide, raising more than $30,000 at the conclusion of last year’s initiative.

To donate to Surfing Victoria’s Make A Wave donation drive, head to makeawave.co/t/surfingvictoria