///International
///Hawaii
SRI LANKA
MAKING CHANGE
The mission to serve, meet needs and change lives of the local community of Arugam Bay.
VISION
To establish a Surfing The Nations International Surf Center, that will serve the youth community of Arugam Bay.
PAST
Surfing The Nations went to Sri Lanka in search of waves. They found a world class point break, only surfed by a handful of local surfers, and a young man named Johnson Ratnasingm. Tom Bauer’s immediate connection with Johnson launched STN into tight relationship with his family and the entire surf community. Most of the top surfers there are his family members who regard Johnson with the highest respect, in surfing and life.
Immediately after the devastating tsunami of 2004, Johnson called STN asking for help! Forty days later STN arrived in Arugam Bay with a team ready to serve, give a listening ear or a shoulder to cry on. The team came with suitcases packed with clothes, toys and basic living supplies, and hands willing to serve in anyway possible. Joining in the relief effort of the devastated coastal community connected STN to the families and surfers whose lives were forever changed. Our willingness to remove debris, play games with the kids, and help pick up the pieces emotionally and physically for many, forever united our lives with theirs.
Because of the generosity of people who care, Surfing The Nations was able to purchased a small plot of land, along the coast of Arugam Bay establishing Surfing The Nations first International Surf Center. STN is now in the process of building housing facility that will serve not only as a home base to continue to give back to the community, but also as a place for the local community to come and receive, English lessons, surfboard repair, surf lessons etc.
PRESENT
Andy Lister, STN’s favorite Australian, currently heads up the Surf Center in Sri Lanka and manages the property. He is our all time hero as he gives his services to the local schools teaching twice a week. This has allowed him to connect with many. Surfing on almost a daily basis Andy continues to grow in his own surfing ability as well as growing in his knowledge of local Sri Lankan surf culture.
FUTURE
Surfing The Nations send a team of 12 to 18 committed volunteers to serve the Arugam Bay area annually in June. STN is now in the process of putting together the June 2010 outreach team to Arugam Bay. During the outreach STN will hold the 2nd Annual Aloha Surf Classic Sri Lanka for the local surfers. Last years event was a huge success with the entire community connecting, enjoying each other and the surf in their war torn nation.
STN aspire to develop the Surf Center so that it can host traveling surfers as well as be open to the community.
PHOTOS
REAL STORIES
NIKLAS ERIKSSON
I have been going to Arugam Bay on the southeast coast of Sri Lanka ever since the devastating tsunami hit the area in 2004, leaving 1000s of families in mourning after lost children, parents and friends.
Sri Lanka is an amazing place, full of mystery and beauty, and the land is definitely a true reflection of its people, colorful, wild and rugged.
Throughout the years, I have made some of my best friends and we share our lives on a level that goes beyond just the few months every year that I get to be with them. My time in Sri Lanka is mostly spent hanging with the local surfers and the boys in the Arugam Bay Surf Club and it is a great honor to have become such a big part of these guys lives and a joy to have them in mine. I surf with them, we eat together and can sit a whole day talking about the details of life.
We have helped the A-Bay Surf Club to hold surf contests, and with a sick right hander in the front yard I believe for an awesome future for these young surfers and the surf club. And I will be back!!!
SHAWN WHITING
In June 2009 I had the opportunity to join a team of 15 STN volunteers to Arugam Bay, Sri Lanka. Even before I boarded the plane I knew that this was going to be a trip that would change my life. The team was scheduled to stay in Sri Lanka one month, but I ended up staying for three months!
Our team was actively involved in continuing to build relationships with the people in the surrounding beach community as well as renovating and improving the STN property. We fixed everything from the roof to the fence to even the garden. Sri Lanka is similar to all of the STN outreach trips in that it is all about building relationships that have the potential to change lives. Two of my favorite memories are surfing with the local kids and tourists and hanging out with the muslim women in there homes while they taught me everything from how to cook curry to how to gut a fish. Arugam Bay is a unique village in that it has a combination of Buddhist, Hindu, Christian, and Muslim people. Even though we faced many challenges, the opportunities to spread love and hope were endless.
