Surfing for a difference

A JAN Juc surfer has recommitted to another year of fundraising for remote surf communities, beginning at the start of September.

For a fourth consecutive year, local surfer Nathan Rivalland will raise funds for the SurfAid “Make A Wave” campaign, which improves the health, wellbeing and resilience of families living in isolated regions through surfing.

As part of the campaign, Mr Rivalland will attempt to surf every day for the entire month of September, and called on friends, family and the Surf Coast community to give donations where possible.

“It’s very exciting again to be raising funds for SurfAid, we’ve raised over $50,000 since 2020 and it’s something I’m really passionate about,” he said

“It’s been an awesome last couple of years in particular raising funds for SurfAid, where the funds we’ve raised go towards things like healthcare, basic sanitary items, clean water and improved nutrition.”

 

Mr Rivalland was recognised for his efforts in 2022, where he was named a SurfAid Humanitarians of the Year alongside close friend and former fundraising teammate James Wilson-Browne.

A member of the Surf Coast Longboarders Club, Mr Rivalland has in the past made his SurfAid exploits entertaining, previously wearing funny outfits.

He has also held charity fundraising nights to boost donations but has yet to determine if one will be held later this year.

“I understand with the cost of living situation funds are a bit tight at the moment and people have been super-generous over the years, it’s just been incredible, but any spare dollars that can be donated would be just amazing,” Mr Rivalland said.

“We don’t really have a specific fundraising target in mind for this year, it’d be great to raise close to $2,000 and then we have double donation day part of that as well.”

To donate to the fundraiser, head to makeawave.co/nathan-rivalland