Special thanks to Doug and Chantal for organising this amazing event on behalf of Paddle4Relief. Massive thanks to all the talented artists playing tonight. Personal thanks must go to all those individuals that have helped and supported with the P4R events over the past 7 years. Particularly Paul Martin, Bridget Allsopp, Mark Dayman, Matt McCormack, Andy Webb, Mark Krazizky, Rob Tibbles, Jon Webb, Nikki Green, and Chantal Denham. Thanks to Doug, Jim Jones and all the musicians that have provided their musical talent for free in support of our fundraising events, and to Mark Brindle of Maniac Films for the striking promo videos. Special thanks to our main sponsors Tiki, The Thatch and Surfplugs.

ARUGAM BAY SURFERS WITH ISA OFFICIAL ADRIAN SORATI (Photo courtesy/copyright of AiyaSurfPhotography)

Ten of Sri Lanka’s top surfers and members of Arugam Bay Surf Club received formal ISA (International Surfing Association) Training following the Sri Lankan Airlines Pro 2011 Surf Event in Arugam Bay.
The young talented surfers were trained by the ISA’s Coaching & Instructing Program Official Presenter for Sri Lanka, Adrian Sorati, from Australia.

ADRIAN GIVING INSTRUCTION TO ABSC MEMBERS (Photo courtesy/copyright AiyaSurfPhotography)

The programme was sponsored by ASP Australasia, Arugam Bay Beach Wear, ISA, Paddle4Relief (UK) and the Surfing Federation of Sri Lanka.
Adrian, an ASP (Association of Surfing Professionals) Australasia Contest Official, is well known to the young surfers following the 2010 Sri Lankan Airlines Pro. Adrian, along with Tim Tanton from the UK based charity P4R, are at the forefront of developing surfing in Sri Lanka. Tim and Adrian have been close friends since their collaboration in promoting Sri Lankan Surfing since 2010 with ASP Australasia General Manager and World Tour Director, Dane Jordan.

ADRIAN WITH JANITH, KRISH & FRANCIS (Photo courtesy/copyright AiyaSurfPhotography)

Tim approached Adrian following a meeting with Arugam Bay Surf Club (ABSC) Secretary, Krishantha Ariyasena and ABSC main sponsor and advisor, Ajaiy Virr Singh, Founder and Chief Executive of Arugam Bay Beach Wear.
Ajaiy of Arugam Bay Beach Wear recognises the importance of surfing to not only Sri Lanka’s economy, but also to the coastal communities like those in Arugam Bay. He realises the importance of the ABSC development in providing opportunities to the local surfers, possibly world wide opportunites!
Ajaiy, Tim, Adrian and Dane, are amazed at the potential both Arugam Bay surfers, and those from other areas of Sri Lanka have. They acknowledge the enthusiasm and dedication that a number of the surfers have for their chosen sport.

ABSC ISA TRAINEES WITH STUDENTS SALLY & NATASHA (Photo courtesy/copyright AiyaSurfPhotography)

Those participating were : Krishantha Ariyasena, Lafeer Fawas, T.Janith, A.H.Sril Praneeth, A.H.Roshantha, A.H.Milan, P.Francis, R.Aravin, K.H.Lesitha Prabath, P.B.Praneeth Sadaruwan.
All ten of the trainees passed the initial 2 day Level 1 Instructor Program and are now in the process of completing the 20 Hours of Instructor Training Practical Assessment that is required before a final examination in 2012.
They were fortunate to have two enthusiastic student volunteers on the day in Sally and Natasha from Australia, who enjoyed the whole experience.

INSTRUCTORS JANITH & LESITHA WITH STUDENTS SALLY & NATASHA (Photo courtesy/copyright AiyaSurfPhotography)

Special mention to Tiki Surf International and Sunset Surfboards for their support in providing equipment thro P4R and to Fred of SiamView, Arugam Bay, for providing the local surf club with a base to work from.

Article provided by :

Tim Tanton – Overseas Fundraising Manager of SFSL and Founder/Chairman of P4R

Asanka - 2011 Sri Lanka National Champion

Asanka is yet again Sri Lanka’s Number 1 Surfer. He blitzed the field once again this year. Asanka, surfing a new board from Quiver, thanks to Guy @ The Board Barn and to Tim @ Paddle4relief. The 6-1 squash tail proved to be a suitable combination with the extremely talented 25 year old Arugam Bay resident.

Asanka plus a little spray

Thaththa’s Tuk Tuk – Surf Truck
Jan was so happy with the service and the mellow, relaxed and happy family run business that he produced a website within days of returning to the UK. What more of an advertisement and compliment is that!
Many thanks to Jan, from the Ariyasena Family, for helping them in their quest to rebuild the business destroyed by the tsunami and put on hold whilst they helped others.
Please check out – http://www.wix.com/arugambay/freedombeachcabanas
and don’t forget Freedom Beach Cabanas Facebook Page

Mellow Mellow Moons @ Freedom

Arugam Bay Surfers

Paddle4Relief (P4R) Founder, Tim Tanton, with the help of representatives from both Arugam Bay Surf Club and West Coast Surf Club, have finally managed to get the donated shipment of surfboards cleared from Sri Lankan Customs!
The 36 boards were sent out by the Braunton charity in February, but were delayed at customs. Tim, was in Sri Lanka for a prolonged period of three months trying to free the shipment from the country’s border, which he said only seemed possible through financial contributions.
“It was a very stressful time because being a charity we run on minimal costs and in the end it led to me paying £750 out of my own pocket.”
Quite an expensive donation but well worth it when one sees the joy of the youngsters as their eyes light up and they have the chance to learn to surf.The boards are crucial to Sri Lankan surfing communities to give talented surfers the opportunity to improve and for the the little ones to learn. The majority of the surfboards have now been distributed around the island. More will be handed out on Tim’s next visit to a few more obscure places that he was unable to get to this time.
The trip has been exhausting and traumatic. Emotions have run high, and tears have been shed. Frustration has been evident, both from Tim, himself, and the surfers of Sri Lanka. They have been upset that their fellow countrymen have caused so much disruption both through bureaucratic nonsense, corruption and jealousy.
What one could describe as a nightmare, it has been a success. One can see from the photos, whether it is Geeva, a young female Sri Lankan teenager learning to surf, or Asanka, Sri Lanka’s Number one surfer, or Chumphikha who doesn’t surf but enjoys the vibe, that all the blood, sweat and tears are worth it.

Tim said that developing the deprived country’s natural asset of great surfing conditions is an obvious way of building a sustainable economy for those providing surfing lessons and equipment hire.
The surfers in Arugam Bay are now able to use the soft top surfboards to run surf lessons for both tourists and for the younger children in the community. This enables them to earn a salary and to give back something to their community. They are now fortunate to have an office to use as a base, and where they can take bookings for lessons, store surfboards and inform tourists of where and when to surf.

Chumphikha . . . . . . loves the vibe

We, Paddle4Relief, have been instrumental in empowering the young surfers of Arugam Bay to realise the potential of their sport and in taking responsibility for their environment, their playground. They have previously realised the need to carry out Beach Cleans, and they are presently involved in establishing a working committee with other organisations and officers within the community to develop a sustainable programme where they can protect their environment.

Asanka . . . . . Sri Lanka's Number 1 surfer

The support from the North Devon Community, the Sri Lanka Surfing Community, Christian Surfers UK, Surf Relief UK, Tiki Surf International, Fluid Juice, Constantine Surf, Croyde Surf Life Saving Club and the team of friends that support Tim at Paddle4Relief have made this possible. Special thanks must go to Phil Williams of Christian Surfers UK for his continued committment to the surfers in Sri Lanka and his ability to provide both spiritual and financial support.
It is still hard to put the experience into words. Tim explained that he been at a very low ebb on number of occasions throughout the episode and yet he says
“there is the enormous satisfaction that we stuck by our committment and came out the other side”
Realisation is that it did cost a lot more money than expected. Money that the charity, P4R, didn’t have. So somehow P4R need to raise more at this years event in August to rebalance the accounts. It has taken a lot of energy but it has brought something to others that money cannot buy . . . . . . . . . it has given them opportunity, hope, enjoyment and realisation that they are not alone. That complete strangers from around the world, care, care enough to help, to sacrifice, and hopefully this humanity will continue with them, through their lives.

Arugam Bay Surf Club

Now the focus is on getting a Surf Instructor out to Sri Lanka to enable the young surfers to gain a recognised Surf Instructors Qualification.
The quest is never ending it seems. So the plan is to recharge the batteries and gather everyone together to continue the quest.
So, if anyone, or any business, would like to help in any way what so ever then please contact tim@paddle4relief.co.uk
Or, if there is a qualified Surf Instructor that can head out to Sri Lanka and train the young surfers to achieve a recognised Surf Instructors Qualification then please contact Tim. There is funding for a flight ticket, transfers, accommodation and possibly meals for such a person.
We desperately need funding for this years event on Sunday August 21st. We need sponsors for the event t-shirts and hoodies. We are also looking for prizes for the Paddle Race and Fancy Dress Surf Competition, let alone the raffle and tombola.
Many thanks again to all those that have supported and continue to support P4R.

Mr Surfplugs

This man, Rob Shaddick (Aka Mr Surfplugs) has saved many of us from the DRILL! He has also shown us how huge his heart is. He is a Devon Boy you see. A surfer. A man that cares and who lives life. He has supported P4R from the early years and has funded not only a well in Sri Lanka but also surfing equipment. Rob realises the need for a balance in life and how we, as surfers, can help give that balance to others around the world, who are less fortunate than ourselves. Those that have suffered not one disaster but many.
Keep your eyes peeled for this van, and remember, Mr Surfplugs does not only save our ears! He is much more than that.

The Surfplugs Motor

Check out http://surfplugs.blogspot.com/ or http://www.surfplugs.co.uk/

Email – FreedomBeachCabanas@hotmail.co.uk or FreedomBeachCabanas@gmail.com

The 2011 Super Moon as seen from Arugam Bay

This is what we could see from Arugam Bay in Sri Lanka. It is definitely the Moon and not a mountain of cheese Grommit. Shall we just sit here a while and gaze at it’s splendor? More cheese Grommit?