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.
