Christy at Surfing the Nations was super cool in writing out Shahadat’s story. Shahadat (on left in picture) has been incredibly impacted by Surfing The Nations. To learn more about Surfing The Nations, click here.
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.
