Thank you for your amazing, generous financial contribution to Surfing The Nations! We are so stoked and overwhelmed by your goodness to us! We are grateful beyond words for our partnership.  Your commitment is the greatest encouraging and inspires us to the impossible.

Your Jedidiah donation of $17,246.43 has been disbursed as follows:

Bangladesh – Surf Clubhouse

Surfing The Nations will be sending $500 to the building of the Surf Club House.  STN had raised all but $500 of the projected budget to build the Bangladesh Surf Club.  With the Jedidiah funds the dream of the clubhouse will reach its exciting completion. The government of Bangladesh donated a plot of land in front of the surf break for the clubhouse and now the building can begin.

Sri Lanka – Surf Center

The vision of a Surf Center in Arugam Bay, Sir Lanka was birthed when STN sent a team to help with the tsunami of 2004.  A STN Surf Center would be an outreach center housing a permanent team with the ability to receive short term teams.  At the center, local people will be taught how to repair surfboards, will be taught English as a second language, will be able to train locals in food services by building a small restaurant on the property; will create a place to “hang out” to watch surf movies; etc, etc. We are sending $500 of the Jedidiah donation to our team in Sri Lanka for the Surf Center work/building. The property is secure and we have finally successful dug our well (the well was a major project taking three attempts) so we now have water on property. Buildings still need to be erected so the base can become a place where people can live and gather together. Sri Lanka is a big surfing destination for Israeli as well as other international surfers so we’re looking forward to how this will impact them as well as the local community. This summer there will be a 6 star surf contest event with Sri Lanka Airlines right in “our” little village, Arugam Bay.

Wahiawa Transformation

STN is focusing on seeing Wahiawa transformed for good – starting with the porn shop next door! It is the second largest porn shop in Hawaii and needs to be gone.  STN needs parking to meet state requirements to proceed with our development of the STN Community Center (former bar).  The porn shop has the best parking on the block.  We want to purchase the porn building and parking as well as the strip club two doors down and see this community radically changed. We want Wahiawa to become a place people want to come to instead of run away from. We are putting $724.43 towards our efforts to transform the ghetto of Wahiawa and hope to report miraculous stories soon.

Surfing The Nations Wahiawa Headquarters

Without the STN Wahiawa headquarters there would not be Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Feeding The Hungry or any of the other ministries of Surfing The Nations. The Wahiawa headquarters is where it all begins: training volunteers, interns and staff, it is a place to live, gathering and sorting of food, clothing, and household donations, sending out mission trips, tutor the youth of the neighborhood, meeting room for lectures to concerts and run the STN office.  The cost of the apartment block and former bar was $1.5 million and we were miraculously provided $1.3 million at the outset! We were left with $200,000 to raise and pay by 22 December 2010. Before the Jedidiah donation we had a balance due of $79,000. We have applied $15,519 of your giving to our mortgage leaving a balance due of $63,481. Your contribution has been an incredible boost to us! We are trusting in God that the balance will be provided. Having our headquarters paid off will establish us with roots deep in Wahiawa, as the building itself becomes part of our branding and identity in the community and internationally.

Disbursement of the Jedidiah Donation:

Bangladesh Surf Clubhouse: $500.00
Sri Lanka Surf Center: $500.00
Wahiawa Transformation: $724.43
STN Wahiawa Headquarters: $15,519.00

Total Donation $17,243.43

For more about Surfing The Nations, head to www.surfingthenations.com. Also make sure to watch the video below of their recent Freedom Surf Contest!

Jedidiah surfer Danny Cruden has a great way of introducing Amor to friends is to throw parties as described below. Read on and enjoy.

There is no greater way to celebrate summer in Florida than walking laps in an air conditioned mall, but a close second is throwing a beach day BBQ. Armed with Wal-Mart umbrellas and a trusty grill, we staked out our place in the sand for a day of sun screen, sand castles and abounding surf.

Above average waves provided the first few hours of activity. As you would expect, we stayed in the water till our appetites got the best of us. Around noon, we regrouped on the beach to eat our fill of Nathan’s hotdogs. From there, we set the grill aside and let the games begin.

The first event was a friendly game of football, which quickly turn into a winner take all game of 500. With an assorted 25 pack of Reese’s peanut butter snacks on the line, Rylan McCart looked to be etching his way toward victory. In the final moments, victory was snatched out of his hands by the younger mob.

Round two of competition was very competitive game of Knock Out. Once again, the entire Jedidiah team fell to the wayside at the hands of much younger contestants.

The last and final event of Simon Says was a test of pure strength and endurance. In the end, after numerous rounds, it was settled as all important things should be settled, Paper, Rock, Scissors. The victor, one Sean Daniels went home with the grand prize and a renewed sense of accomplishment.

The Summer BBQ was held to raise awareness about Amor and as part of Jedidiah’s continuing goal to foster community and hope.

Thanks Danny for thinking of such a simple way to share life with your community and spread the word about what Amor is doing! Find out more at www.amor.org.

For those of you that still haven’t seen Gum For My Boat, now is your chance. Tune into Fuel TV this Saturday, 5/8/2010 at 8:00 pm ET/PT to watch the network premiere of Gum For My Boat: Surfing in Bangladesh.

then.

Visit: www.surfingthenations.com to learn how you can get involved.

Last Friday night, I found myself somewhere outside of Aspen in a packed out auditorium filled with 800 adventure hungry, adrenaline junky, outdoorsman types. I was there to present Gum For My Boat at the 5 Point Film Festival in Carbondale, Colorado. Leading up to the trip, I was a little apprehensive as to why a Colorado-based film festival would want to show a film about surfing in Bangladesh.

Within fifteen minutes of meeting up with my carpool in Denver, I had my questions answered. Fitz Cahall, Colin Blackshear, and Patrick Rizzo, would join Sarah and myself on an epic 4 hour drive up to Carbondale. The experience of forming relationships with amazingly talented, and compassionate people repeated itself throughout the 4 days of the festival. I realized that the 5 Point film festival was really about coming together to engage in each other’s company. In essence it’s about community…well, that and the documentation of people accomplishing the impossible in the pursuit of following their heart regardless of the risk. And on that note Gum For My Boat fit in perfectly.

I was treated to over 20 hours of amazing films including Patagonia’s 180 Degrees South. After returning to San Diego I found out that Gum For My Boat had won the viewer’s choice award. Stoked!!! A huge thanks goes out to Beda Calhoun, Julie Kennedy, Brie Bath and all the friends I made for making this such an awesome experience.

Oh yeah… and we got down.

-KK

For more photos visit Kahana’s Blog – Here.

Jedidiah surfer Rylan McCart is one of the nicest guys you’ll ever get to meet.  We had the chance to ask him a few questions, and here is what he had to say. (Don’t forget to check out the video below.)

Patrick Dodd: For people that don’t know you, what are 3 things that you would tell them about yourself.

Rylan McCart: 1) I try to live like Jesus (humble, selfless, loving) but fail.  Thankfully, He forgives and sustains me.  2) I live with 3 of my best friends in harmony like brothers.  I love being with my friends and family.  3) I surf often with my Dad.

PD: What do you have going on as far as surfing in the next few months?  Non-surf related?

RM: As far as surfing, I’ll consistently be catching a couple up the road and would like to get down to Nicaragua with the boys, the outer banks is right up the coast, may visit the Digs family…who knows, surfing is so spontaneous, we all know that.  Life minus surfing, definitely working on college right now, I’ve shifted into that mode of life.  I work at a killer restaurant called Grills here in Brevard County Florida owned by my friend Joe Penevich. Us friends have a get together on Fridays at our house around 7.  We eat food, slow down, pray and look over the scriptures together inside the lively tan walls of our small apartment.

PD: How long have you been associated with Jedidiah?

RM: I’ve known about Jedidiah and what it stands for (love and hope) ever since they ran that old advertisement of a wife and husband kissing or something in the Surf Mag.  That caught my eye.  I have mostly seen a few people associated with Jedidiah and how they live.  They are an example of love in action from my perception, from being around the poor or less fortionate to being a leader in a community.  The ambassadors of Jedidiah that I know are people I respect for reasons deeper than the ocean.  My connection with Jedidiah was founded in the surf community.

PD: What are you listening to right now?  Is there a song stuck in your head?

RM: I like listening to some lectures my Mark Driscoll, he has some great podcasts.  Tune-wise,  I like the song by Explosions in the Sky called “Your Hand in Mine.”

PD: What is the next thing you are going to eat?

RM: Well tomorrow morning, I’ll probably eat 2 eggs, oatmeal, coffee, and an orange, than I’ll feel good and be able to work hard.

PD: What is inspiring you right now?

RM: I met a well spoken young man in a suit and tie from the Domican Republic named Alejandro.  He is a politician in the making in my eyes and I spent some time with hin in a group setting over a period of 3 days last month.  I was inspired by him because I watched some of the simple teachings of Jesus “love your neighbor as yourself” and “do to others as you would have them do to you” and “feed the poor”.  I learned that I can learn from anybody.

Thanks Rylan.  Keep shredding.

We first met Shahadat 5 years ago on our second trip to Bangladesh. He was one of only a few surfers in the first Bangladesh Aloha Surf Classic. The first year we had the contest, I don’t really remember how well Shahadat did, but I do remember that he was super amped and promised to practice for the next year. He was someone in whom we knew from the beginning that we wanted to invest in. Little did we know that our relationship would be so important down the road, but here we are 5 years later and he has grown from the boy who loved to surf into a man who loves people and has learned to build relationships that last. Through returning year after year and donating surfboards and taking the surf club to hand out donated clothes to refugees in the area, Shahadat really learned to see his community and their needs. Even though he comes from a poor family he was able to see that if you look hard enough you can always find someone who has less than you. We now receive e-mails from him with photos of the surf club, under his direction, giving their own clothes and food to these poor people. He’s now Vice President of the Bangladesh Surf Club and helps with the annual Bangladesh Aloha Surf Classic and any other events the club puts on throughout the year. A couple of years ago, Shahadat let Surfing The Nations know about his need for some soccer cleats and clothes in order to play in his local league. After receiving the cleats he worked hard and is now a part of the junior national team. He’s not only learned to be a mentor in the ocean but also on the field. Surfing The Nations is proud of this young man and hopes to see the principles of character that we taught him continue to be evident in his life. He is truly a young man who serves those around him and is a great role model for the future men and women of Bangladesh.

Last week at Jedidiah, we had former World Longboard Champ Schuyler McFerran visit the Jedidiah Compound. I took the chance to ask her a few questions and here is what she had to say:

Patrick Dodd: For people that don’t know you, what are 3 things that you would tell them about yourself.
Schuyler McFerran: I like my coffee to be black, my conversations to be genuine, and my mornings to be early.

PD: What do you have going on as far as surfing in the next few months?  Non-surf related?
SM: As far as surfing goes, I’m going to be trying to squeeze in as many sessions as I can in between school and work, and hopefully take a couple trips over the summer… Non-surfing-wise, buckling down and finishing my college education tops the list, followed closely by trying to preserve my sanity and creativity amidst all my business/economics classes. Other priorities would be spending time with Greg and my friends as much as possible.

PD: How long have you been associated with Jedidiah?
SM: I’m brand new to the Jedidiah family, very excited!!

PD: What are you listening to right now?  Is there a song stuck in your head?
SM: I’m listening to Radiohead at the moment, but lately I’ve found myself listening to As Tall As Lions, Phoenix, Passion Pit, and The Flaming Lips.

PD: What is inspiring you right now?
SM: New music, and a few design and fashion blogs that I’ve been following. Lately I haven’t had very much time to be creating stuff on my own, so it’s great to be able to see what other people are coming up with.

PD: What is the next thing you are going to eat?
SM: Probably another soy chai. Those puppies are addicting.

To keep up with Schuyler, check out the links below:

www.schuylermcferran.com

http://twitter.com/schuy_ler

http://www.schuylermcferran.blogspot.com/

Thanks so much for coming in Schuyler!

For those of you familiar with our “One Cause, One Season” initiative, you are most likely also aware that 5% of our sales, time and clothes from the Spring of 2010 will be supporting one of our humanitarian organizations called Surfing The Nations.

We just wanted to give you a little taste of what they are all about by letting you read about them:

How It All Began

Surfing The Nations (STN) was birthed when Tom and Cindy Bauer were asked to take over a three acre parcel of land and make something good out of it.  The land was in Kalihi , just outside on Honolulu and they were told they could color out of the box; which fit them perfectly as this had always been their style.  From Tom’s earlier work in Mozambique, Africa to now, he is known as a person of adventure and one who is ready to do what others say is impossible.

Sometime before moving to the Kalihi property in 1997 Tom became aware that he was to do more with the sport of surfing. The concept of integrating surfing and humanitarian work began with Tom‘s vision as he founded Surfing The Nations. As a young boy who loved surfing, he found himself caught in the characterization of the surf culture as one marked by drugs, partying and self-centeredness. After fully grasping the concept that surfing and giving back can actually go hand-in-hand; Tom committed his life to mobilizing surfers to be leaders of change in our community.

More Than A Vision

Surfing The Nations began reaching out to the youth in the Kalihi area with the hope that they could make a difference.  The word went out to surfers and non-surfers and they began arriving to be a part of the new work that was beginning. Many of them laid down their lives to see Surfing The Nations become a reality.  Niklas and Stefan Eriksson, Andrea Luraghi, Denise Ritchie, Charlie and Sara Valnes are among those who went the extra mile.

1998 brought two major components of STN into play with the start of the Feeding The Hungry program and the first international trip to Bali, Indonesia.  Today both are major parts of the humanitarian work of Surfing The Nations.

At first most people thought the idea of Surfing The Nations was  ridiculous.  But as stories started to spread of the affect on people that lives were being transformed; those doubts quickly turned to support.

We operated from the Kalihi property for ten years.  It was here we began the internship progam, as well as surf outreaches to over 30 nations around the world.  “X Factory” concerts and a music studio became the hallmark of the new Surfing The Nations.  This gave young people in the community a venue to share their music and talents.  As many as 300 X Factory fans would attend the monthly concerts.

The Move Out Of Kalihi

The end of 2006 took Surfing The Nations out of Kalihi as the property was sold and we found ourselves homeless.  We wondered if the ministry would make it through the move or come to an end. Grateful for all that had be accomplished, we left the Kalihi property with 20 full time workers believing to keep the organization alive.

Many aspects of the ministry would change with the move of STN into the single family homes in a residential community of Honolulu.  No longer could the needy come to our door we would need to go to them; and that is what STN did.  Feeding The Hungry food distribution would begin in lower Kalihi, Waikiki, Barbers point and under the freeway aqueduct at Lagoon Drive.  We were distributing food to 500-600 people when we moved and today the distribution has grown to more then 3,000 needy people a week.

New Headquarters in Wahiawa

In September 2008 we received a notice that one of  the houses STN operated from was in foreclosure.  At this time there was nothing else to rent in the area and everything seemed quite hopeless.  STN had been looking for property to purchase since leaving Kalihi, but nothing had come together.  Was this the time to buy?  We were advised to wait another year, so we continued our search and patiently waited for the right opportunity.  As the search continued Jimmy Yamada, Chairman of the Board for Surfing The Nations, was presented with a property in Wahiawa. The property included the old neighborhood bar and a 15 unit apartment building that was not up for sale at that time; but they had heard that the owners wanted to sell it.  This began the acquisition of the Wahiawa property that is now the new headquarter of Surfing The Nations.  STN staff and interns have moved into the apartments and the “Bar” has beome the meeting hall, training room, event center etc.

Wahiawa Is Awesome

STN is committed to making a difference in Wahiawa and excited to work with the youth and families of the neighborhood.  Many said we were crazy to move to Ohai Street (the address of the apartment building) as the area is known for drugs, alcohol, violence and sex; but to bring about change you be willing to live where change is needed.

At any given time Surfing The Nations has 30-40 full time staff involved with in the ministry. Hundreds of interns have completed the internship, and international works  have been established in more then ten nations. Neighboring outreaches have also been planted on the five main islands of Hawaii. Surf and skate contest are run internationally and in the islands, the hungry are feed, the at-risk-youth are being touched and lives are being changed.  This is Surfing The Nations.

As the world continues to be exposed to the immense tragedy in Haiti, so many people are wondering what they can do to help.  With different ties that we at Jedidiah have to the surf community, I found this article by Jake Howard over at ESPN intriguing.

In response to that article:

Jake, although you make a valid point in regards to “surf-centric news outlets” not giving much attention to Haiti because of its less than desirable position on the list of surf destinations to then realize that there are people in the surfing community that do care about the atrocity in Haiti, I want to point you to a few retailers (listed below) that are doing just that.  In carrying our new Haiti tees, where proceeds are heading directly to Compassion International to aid their relief efforts in response to the earthquake, they are showing that the means of a sale take second place to the value of human life.

1.  Icons of Surf – San Clemente, CA
http://www.iconsofsurf.com/

2.   Katin Surf Shop – Huntington Beach, CA
http://www.katinsurf.com/

3.   Beachworks – (16 locations in California)
http://beachworksshops.com/homepage

4.  Maui Nix (8 locations)
http://www.mauinix.com

5.  Goldfinch Boutique – St. Augustine, FL
http://www.goldfinchboutique.com

6.  Locals Surf Shop – Juno Beach, FL
http://www.localssurfshop.com/

7.  Hoodie People – Online Only
https://www.hoodiepeople.com/brands/Jedidiah.html

8.  Billy’s Boardshop – Montrose, CA
http://www.billysboardshop.com/

We want to do just that: be the agent of change that speaks on behalf of the communities we are fortunate enough to be involved and that isn’t possible without the good hearts of the people running these shops.

Last night we held an intimate screening of Gum For My Boat at the Surf Station in St. Augustine, Florida.  The temperature dipped into the twenties so we decided to move the screening into the upstairs boardroom of the shop.  About 40 flannel clad, scarf-sporting groms, moms, and comrades showed up for the screening and were rewarded with Pop-corn, Red Bull, and Jedidiah giveaways.  Artist Hahau was also on location demostrating his artistic prowess.

Prior to the screening we held a short Q&A with Charis Bauer and a small team of people from Surfing the Nations who have been showing the film throughout Florida over the past few weeks. Thank you everyone who came out to support the film. And if you haven’t yet seen it we’ll be showing the film 3 more times this week.

Tonight 1/11/10 @ 7:30 at Landshark in Jax Beach

1/12/10 @ 7:30 at Surf Down Under in Tampa

1/16/10 @ 7:30 – Forty VII in Orlando

For adresses to these locations view the flyer – here.

Group During the Screening

Over the shoulder of Hahau

Charis Bauer (STN), Erin Lewis (Jedidiah- FL Sales Rep.), and Kahana Kalama

Post Screening Mingling