Although it might be cliche to say Pat, Dane, and Tanner Gudauskas personify surf stoke – they do. One recent manifestation of their positivity was exhibited through Positive Vibe Warriors, an organization created by the trio, and a surfboard drive for Jamaica. They successfully mobilized surfers from Northern and Southern California to donate boards to a hugely appreciative surfboard starved region of the world. Even though the surfboard drive for Jamaica took place a little while back and is hardly timely news at this point a few key lessons can be learned from this endeavor and used as a recipe for future efforts.
1. Reach Out – There are endless surf and ocean related causes in the world. People are suffering from the effects of natural disasters and resource scarcity all over the planet. From Typhoon Haiyan recovery in the Philippines to providing safe drinking water in Haiti, there is no shortage of ocean based humanitarian causes to get involved in. Find one that means something to you and get active.
2. Activate the Surf Community – The surfboard drive for Jamaica utilized seven different locations in Southern California and one in Northern California for drop off points. Working with locals and surf shops can inspire participation and action while giving those who get involved a hands-on way to contribute.
3. Preserve the Environment – The Positive Wave Warrior’s surfboard drive for Jamaica exemplified how to reuse/recycle/repurpose the equipment we depend on as surfers. Your old wetsuit might have a new life in Peru. That surfboard that you never got around to selling on craigslist will thrive under the feet of a Jamaican grom.
4. Remind Yourself to Appreciate the Simple Things: Although the Gudauskas brothers witnessed good performance surfing while in Jamaica, they also encountered an “unfiltered appreciation of simply riding waves that many of us take for granted every day.” The takeaway here is to enjoy the simple things in your surfing life. You don’t necessarily have to have the session of your life to feel good about your time in the ocean.
5. Stoke the Kids – Inspiring kids to get engaged in surfing and/or helping them take their surfing to new levels goes a long way. While offering them a proactive activity can provide focus and a vehicle for sheer joy it also helps keep them from getting caught up in more harmful distractions.
links and sources:
http://positivevibewarriors.com/blogs/news/86784321-pvw-jamaica-surfboard-drive