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
Donated surfboards finally reach surfers in Sri Lanka
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.
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/
Paddle4Relief, with the assistance of Surf Relief UK and Christian Surfers UK, have successfully shipped a consignment of surf boards and surf equipment to Sri Lanka.
The shipment was made by means of donations from Paddle4Relief, Tiki Surf International, Constantine Bay Surf Shop, Croyde Bay Surf Life Saving Club and numerous UK surfers, to Arugam Bay Surf Club.
The project was overseen by Phil Williams of the UK charity Christian Surfers UK and co-ordinated by Tim Tanton of North Devon based charity Paddle4Relief. Tim collected and packed the consignment of 36 boxes with a volume of more than six cubic metres and a weight in excess of 310kg.
A garage full of Surfboards 4 Sri Lanka
P4R Founder, Tim, had seen his garage gradually fill up with surfboards from as far back as the 1970’s and as new as 2010. The consignment included rescue boards, SUP’s, longboards, bodyboards, shortboards, fish, mini-mals and soft-tops, along with fins, leashes, wax, rash vests, wax combs, t-shirts and skateboard parts.
Surfboards waiting collection
Tim was fortunate to have the help of North Devon Christian Surfer Mark Dennis in loading the consignment onto the lorry for transportation to the port of departure in the UK. The surfboards etc are expected to reach the Port of Colombo, Sri Lanka, in mid-March. They left the UK on the vessel, Ever Sigma, on the 23rd February, thanks to Paul Beeson of the freight company, GBS Freight Services Ltd.
Arugam Bay Surf Club Secretary, Krishantha Ariyasena, together with West Coast Surf Club Founder, Dilsiri Welikala, will be receiving the consignment in Colombo.
The equipment will then be distributed by Arugam Bay Surf Club to developing surf clubs around the coast of Sri Lanka.
P4R Founder Tim Tanton and a winters work!
Further donations of surfboards and surfing equipment will be gratefully received for future consignments to Sri Lanka. Contact tim@paddle4relief.co.uk for further information.
Paddle4Relief are blessed again with more volunteers wishing to raise funds for coastal communities affected by natural disasters, both in Sri Lanka and around the world. Mental Health Support Worker’s, Lisa and Lyn, based at North Devon District Hospital are on a quest to lose a few pounds for charity! Both are colleagues of P4R’s Founder, Tim Tanton. They have both donated items for the children and young people of Sri Lanka and purchased P4R merchandise to help raise money for the P4R cause. But they both wanted to do more, so they came up with the idea of losing a few lbs in an effort to raise a few £’s!
Lisa and Lyn - Diet4Relief 2011
Tim, has always had a keen interest in maintaining a healthy lifestyle and diet, so Lisa and Lyn asked him to provide important guidelines to help them lose some weight. They knew Tim was heading off back to Sri Lanka for two months and thought this would be the ideal time to try and raise money whilst he was away. Tim was more than happy to help his invaluable colleagues.
So please, if you would like to sponsor these lovely ladies in their quest and support Paddle4Relief in 2011, contact Tim at tim@paddle4relief.co.uk and he will put you in contact with Lisa and Lyn.
Hi All,
as always, apologies for the mass mail out.
Happy New Year to you all. I hope 2011 brings you all your wishes and needs.
It is now the time of year that i sit at home perusing the 2011 tide table and wondering which are the best tides for the Main Big Paddle Event.
Favorite this year looks like Sunday June 5th. But i am open to suggestions, and i do realise that there may well be other events on that may clash - please let me know.
Would you all be so kind to take a minute or two, and think whether you would like to get involved in the organising, or in volunteering on the day, or donating a prize, sponsoring someone, or being an actual participant of a fun filled event that brings a smile to many who are less fortunate than ourselves.
I value any feedback and advice on improving the day, and in being able to make it a more fun filled and larger fund raising event than ever.
2010 saw around £3500.00 raised thanks in particular to two outstanding sponsorship raisers, Stephen Gash and Steve ‘Joeby’ Slight.
Please let me know if you feel the 5th June would be an ideal date. I am more than happy to organise it later in the year if i can have confirmed support.
Please let me know if you think we should return to later in the year, such as August. I know the past two years have proven to be better for the weather, but alas, there have been less entrants.
We will again be running a Paddle race for those of you are more competitive.
To all our previous sponsors, please be generous again. I realise that the economic climate is not ideal, and i and those that benefit from your support, from across the ocean, are really grateful for your generosity.
So, please everyone, let me know your thoughts on this years paddle. Please give me an idea of who is interested in taking part and raising money.
Many thanks to one and all for your continued support.
Kind regards
Tim
Massive thanks must go to Mark Brindle and the team at Maniac Films for having the patience to endure trawling through six years of P4R video footage! Special thanks must go to Steph Palmer for being the main editor of this project and to Stu Gaunt for the final edit.
Hopefully you will all find some identity in what we do as a team at P4R. It is not just about those that volunteer or serve on the committee but of those that put themselves out and offer their professional skills and services, like the team at Maniac Films. So, if you need something doing in the film and website media market then look no further than the small but beautiful formed team in Croyde! Or, if you want to get involved in P4R and what we do in Sri Lanka, then please contact Tim. Mark and his team have been awesome supporters and providers for P4R since our conception. Many thanks guys n gals.
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 Austr […]
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 [...]
We have a website! Thanks to one of our favourite guests, Freedom Beach Cabanas are happy to announce the arrival of a website! Jan Hanousek and his son, Nick, stayed late June into early july and scored waves every day! They also scored amazing hosts and amazing food. We organised transport to and from the airport [...]
