Film Tour Raises Money To Save Lives

Film Tour Raises Money To Save Lives
“Wave of Compassion” Tours California

WEST COAST, Calif. --- In a fundraising effort, SurfAid International and FUEL TV have partnered for the Wave of Compassion Tour bringing SurfAid International’s documentary film “Wave of Compassion” and surf favorite “September Sessions” to the west coast of California during the month of October

Barefoot, boardshorts and barreling waves, images that don’t exactly fit the profile of ambassadors for humanitarian efforts. But it’s precisely that unlikely cadre of people that have ignited a “Wave of Compassion” to effect massive change in the health standards for the people in the Mentawai Islands. 

The Wave of Compassion Tour will raise money through sales of tickets, t-shirts, “band together” wristbands and DVDs and directly benefit SurfAid International’s programs to save lives. The filmmakers of “September Sessions,” Jack Johnson, Emmett Malloy and Kelly Slater have also graciously agreed to donate all of the proceeds from sales of “September Sessions” DVDs.

The “Wave of Compassion” chronicles the journey of two lucky sweepstakes winners along with a group of some of the best Surfers in the world as they experience a boat trip through the Mentawai Islands of Indonesia. The documentary captures this unique voyage and a look into the cause behind SurfAid International. The film includes some great surf footage and interviews with the surfers who went on the trip, Dave Rastovich, Ben Bourgeois, Strider Wasilewski, Conan Hayes and Keith Malloy.

“September Sessions” directed by Jack Johnson features a group of surfers; Shane Dorian, Kelly Slater, Rob Machado, Ross Williams, Luke Egan, and Brad Gerlach, who travel to the Mentawai islands for a Surfer Magazine boat trip. What they found was a surfer's paradise with one of the most famous surf breaks in the world. 

The tour will stop in six California cities with more dates to be announced.
10/8 Santa Barbara – Majorie Luke Theatre
10/13 Huntington Beach – Mann Pierside
10/20 Manhattan Beach – Pacific Manhattan 6 Village
10/23 San Francisco – Victoria Theatre
10/26 Santa Cruz – Rio Theatre
10/27 Encinitas – La Paloma Theatre

www.surfaidinternational.org  for more info and directions etc

At each stop, lots of goodies and prizes will be on site for drawings and raffles so come prepared with extra cash on hand. In addition to the great films, guest speakers are expected so check our web site for more information leading up to the dates. More tour information can be found at www.surfaidinternational.org/woctour 

In 1999, Dr. Dave Jenkins chartered a luxury yacht in the Mentawai Islands off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. He had one goal in mind: to find the perfect waves. What he also found were Mentawai Islanders suffering and dying from the ravages of malaria and other preventable diseases. Troubled by the inequity of lifestyles and moved by compassion, “Dr. Dave” established SurfAid International, a non-profit organization dedicated to the alleviation of human suffering through community-based health programs. 

With the support of volunteer doctors and nurses, the global surfing community and most importantly the people of the affected areas themselves, SurfAid International has come to exemplify the healing power of cross-cultural partnerships. “The need is great…we can stop very preventable diseases from stealing children’s lives” states six-time world champion pro surfer, Kelly Slater.

The areas currently serviced by SurfAid have one of the highest child mortality rates in the world. Staggering statistics show that in the worst affected villages 50% of the families have suffered the death of a child before the age of 5 years. The Cause: treatable and preventable diseases, such as malaria, measles, tetanus and diarrhea.

SurfAid was also uniquely positioned to respond to the emergency medical needs of isolated coastal communities during the catastrophic December 26, 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and Tsunami. “There are people alive today that would have died had it not been for SurfAid’s evacuation teams” explains Morgan Morris, the United Nations, High Commissioner for Refugees.

There is much work that still needs to be done. Join our efforts to make a difference. Donate today by coming to see the films.

About FUEL TV:

In a word, FUEL TV is action sports television. Ok that was six words, but you get the point. It’s your connection to what’s happening in skateboarding, snowboarding, surfing, BMX, freestyle motocross and wakeboarding. FUEL TV brings you the exclusive stories, unique personalities and the epic moments of action sports. You’ll hear new music, get inside riders’ heads, catch breaking news first, watch people fall down, get back up and do it all again. Maybe you live it. Maybe you don’t. What is the world is coming to? Tune in and see. Launched on July 1, 2003, FUEL TV is seen in nearly 15 million homes. To see if you get FUEL TV, visit www.fuel.tv.