These 6 Charities Are Doing More Than Just Surfing!
The Surfrider Foundation is a nonprofit organization who are passionate about protecting earth's playground- the oceans, waves, and beaches. This foundation is purely dedicated to keeping our oceans clean and our beaches safe from pollution. This environmentally conscious group ensures clean water, healthy ocean coastlines, and more accessible beaches for everyone to enjoy. They are always searching for natural solutions to the various threats that our oceans are constantly facing.
Surfrider is a community of everyday people who passionately protect our playground - the ocean, waves, and beaches that provide us so much enjoyment.
2) The Mauli Ola Foundation (MOF)
Established in 2008 by a group of California surfers, The Mauli Ola Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing hope and confidence to individuals living with genetic diseases. By using the organic healing powers of the ocean, this nonprofit group makes surfing and other ocean-based activities into naturally therapeutic activities. Their goal is to share and spread their knowledge of the ocean, family values, community, and overall good vibes. Every year, the group hosts various benefit events, including beachside concerts, "surf experience days," and more.
This surf school was founded in 2002 by South African native Gary Kleynhan. His goal is to teach free surf lessons to street children around the Cape Town area. The idea is to get the kids to "hang loose," instead of hanging out in the dangerous streets. Gary believes that if you can get these children on a surfboard, you're more likely to keep them out of trouble. Gary's Surf School has been around for 14 years and only continues to grow and expand! If you, your friends or family ever plan a surfing trip to South Africa, check them out!
Operation Amped is all about giving back to servicemen who were wounded in the line of duty. This organization was founded in 2006 and their mission is to "share the stoke of surfing with seriously ill, injured or disabled U.S. military veterans and their families." Operation Amped "shares the stoke" by fundraising for the veterans and host multi-day surfing clinics. Check it out and share the stoke!
This surfing charity is focused on bringing together dogs and sharing their talent of surfing the waves. The NorCal Dog Surfing event & Championships for Dog Surfing takes place on the Northern California Coast where the concept of dog surfing originated. During this amazing dog surfing event, they offer several activities including the surf competition and prizes galore. This event is not only for the sport and fun of riding the waves, it's also for great causes. It helps raise money for local charities by sponsoring a contestant or a team and a large portion of the proceeds go to animal and environmental non-profits.
This wonderful surfing charity holds surf camps for children with autism. Founded by Israel and Danielle Paskowitz, they started Surfer's Healing for their son Isaiah, who has autism. Israel Paskowitz grew up surfing around the globe in true surfer-vagabond style - traveling to different surf spots on a bus with his family. Israel and Danielle are here to pass around the power of the ocean on to over 4,500 children and their families each year. Their mantra is "one child, one family, one day at the beach." Surfer's Healing is now a nationwide, grassroots non-profit charity, be sure to check out their website and pass around the healing powers of the ocean!
