Vanda hitting surf for cancer research

A TORQUAY surfer is doing it for cancer victims that have lost their opportunity to surf, when he hits the water every day this month to raise money for important research.

Custom surfboard shaper Michael van der Klooster, better known as Vanda at local breaks, is participating in SurFebruary – a charity started by a cancer survivor that raises money for Sydney cancer treatment centre Chris O’Brien Lifehouse.

SurFebruary encourages Australians to catch a wave a day throughout February, while inviting donations to support the centre’s research.

Mr van der Klooster rarely needs added motivation to pack his board during summer, but said this month’s rides would have extra significance.

“All the people in hospital who would kill to be out surfing right now, and there’s people that lost their fight who had surfing as their thing,” he said.

“The surf has been bad, I’ve been out five or six times by myself with Jan Juc beach empty, but I’m there because there’s so many people that would give anything to go for a surf for another day.

“It really makes you appreciate the opportunity even more.”

Like many Australians, the SurFebruary cause is one close to Mr van der Klooster’s heart; with his grandfather, aunty and close family friends all diagnosed with variants of the disease.

“I think everyone, when you least expect it can be affected by cancer. It’d be hard to find someone that’s not one or two degrees separated from someone having cancer,” he said.

The Torquay boardrider also has a special, coincidental link to the charity; its founder and cancer survivor Jenna-Lee Clark gave birth to a son named Vander at the Lifehouse.

Mrs Clark has also been a beneficiary of the centre’s vital work, with Vander the first baby delivered at the Lifehouse after a trachelectomy procedure, which is a fertility-preserving method for women with cervical cancer.

“Now in our fifth year, we’re looking forward to welcoming back past participants and inviting first-timers to immerse themselves in this family-friendly event that celebrates community and raises much-needed funds for cancer research, all while you benefit from the healing nature of the ocean at the same time,” Mrs Clark said.

The fundraiser has raised $600,000 for the treatment and research centre, and is hoping to reach the $1 million milestone this year.