Surf Relief Festival 2008 dates set for 26th July

WHITE STUFF SURF RELIEF FESTIVAL IS BACK

Bigger and better event will raise significant funds for Surf Relief
UK to give disabled and disadvantaged young people the chance to
experience surfing.

The country’s only beach music and surfing event, the White Stuff Surf Relief Festival, will return to Watergate Bay on Saturday 26th July with even more going on.

Organisers hope to raise significant funds for charity Surf Relief UK’s ‘Surfable’ project, which provides subsidised surfing lessons for disabled and disadvantaged young people.
Skydivers will parachute onto the beach to officially start the festival at 2.00 pm on Saturday 26th July, triggering a packed programme of beach games, surfing and lifesaving competitions, and family activities.
In the afternoon the Sunset Sessions will get underway with a live music festival on the sand. Organisers are close to confirming a well-known headline band for the event, with further details to be released as
soon as arrangements are finalised.
“The festival will be a unique experience combining pro surfing, family activities and music from top bands, all in a stunning location
right on the beach.

“At White Stuff we have been amazed by the impact of the ‘Surfable’ project. So far over 500 disabled and disadvantaged young people have benefitted from subsidised surf lessons thanks to Surf Relief UK, and
we are hoping that the money raised at this year’s event will extend these opportunities to many more.”

For the first time, Watergate Bay will host a round of the UK Pro Surf Tour, with many of the country’s top professional surfers competing in five divisions. And over 100 competitors will swim, paddle and ski through the waves in the Surf Lifesaving Association of Great Britain’s races culminating in the Iron Man and Diamond Lady races.

Demonstration surfing lessons for disabled young people will be run throughout the day, providing a unique opportunity for people affected by physical and learning disabilities to experience the potentially
life-changing thrill of surfing.

“The White Stuff Surf Relief Festival 2008 is a key vehicle for raising funds for the charity and in increasing the profile of the our organisation,” said Dave Manley, Chairman of Surf Relief UK. “The strong partnership
between Surf Relief UK, White Stuff and Watergate Bay provides the opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of many disadvantaged and disabled children and young people across the country.

“Every £15 raised for Surf Relief UK will give a disabled child or young person a one-to-one surfing lesson with an experienced instructor from our surf school network - an experience that, for many, will stay with
them for ever.”

As well as raising funds for the ‘Surfable’ project, the White Stuff Surf Relief Festival will see Surf Relief UK work with the Jamie Oliver-inspired restaurant Fifteen Cornwall, to jointly host a fundraising charity dinner
and auction on the evening of Friday 25th July.

Fifteen Cornwall’s Executive Chef Neil Haydock will create a special six-course tasting menu for the evening, with each course served with matching wines. Following dinner, guests will be able to bid on an
outstanding portfolio of experiences and items which usually money cannot buy.

‘US’ SURF ROCKERS ‘SWITCHFOOT’ INVOLVED IN SWANSEA CHARITY GIG

 American rock surf band “Switchfoot” are coming to the UK for a concert at the Brangwyn Hall in Swansea, South Wales on Feb 7^th. Christian Surfers UK in conjunction with ‘Ignite’ and ‘In2surf’ Shop are promoting the event.The band are all sponsored surfers from the USA and will be on a 5-date UK tour, supported by Superhero. They have already released 6 albums, including some music for the ‘Superman 2’ film, and are widely respected as one of the best surf rock groups on the surf scene.

This European tour co-insides with the release of their latest Album titled ‘Oh Gravity’. The band each year put on a big charity fundraiser surf contest called the ‘Bro-Am’ in California and regularly get legends such as Tom Curren competing.  

Tickets are available at £10.00 from Christian Surfers UK website www.christiansurfers.co.uk

Christian Surfers UK will be raising funds for Surf Relief UK, on the night as they partner with some disabled and disadvantaged organisations during 2007.  There will be a number of raffle prizes given away on the night to those supporting this event.  All monies will be given directly to Surf Relief UK so your support will be greatly appreciated.

For more information if required e-mail phil@christiansurfers.co.uk

Jack Johnson lends his support to SRUK

Laughs and tears all round at First Surf Camp for Autistic Children.

Bigbury Bay South Devon witnessed a fantastic first on Saturday hosting a surf camp for autistic children -  Breaking the Barrier. Seventy children aged between 6-18 years were taught by surfing instructors from the USA and UK.  Good weather and small waves provided the perfect conditions for the children to enjoy a unique new experience.

Opportunities to take part extreme sports such as surfing are few and far between for children with autism. The liaison between local charity Lifeworks, the UK’s leading surfing charity Surf Relief UK and the Surf2live organisation from Long Beach New York made this Breaking the Barrier event happen. With the help of local and national sponsors Discovery Surf School, Bournemouth Surf School, O’Neil, White stuff and Evo Management young people from across the South West were provided with expert tuition and a great day out.

 The Bay rang out with squeals of delight and excitement as autistic children rode waves. Many stood up first time, some rode in on their stomachs while others just revelled in the freedom of the water and the new experience. The day saw tears and smiles all round. Parents and careers watched as their children, whose emotions are often stifled

by their autism, open up and flourish in the ocean and in

taking part in surfing.

 With specially made large tandem surfboards the experienced instructors were able to take even the most severely autistic children in the water in a safe environment. With help from these instructors’ children as young as 6, much to their delight, stood up and rode waves.

JOHN CARPER (JC) DONATES BOARD FOR SURF RELIEF UK

On a recent visit to the UK to launch the JC ( Hawaii ) brand in England and Wales, world-renowned Hawaiian surfboard shaper John Carper kindly donated a brand new board, which will be raffled for Charity. The board is a 5ft 10 NX1.

While in the Country he caught up with Phil Williams, head of Christian Surfers UK, and Trustee of Surf Relief UK, to present the board. The idea is that at key events around the country, top UK, and International Surfers will sign the board. 

The signed board will then be on display at numerous surf competitions through out the summer, and raffle tickets will be sold at these events.

A big thanks for JC Hawaii for their support.

Surf Relief UK, are now gearing up for what looks like being a huge fund raising event on 7th July 2007 at Watergate Bay - Surf Relief Day 2007. For more info on JC ( Hawaii ) log onto : www.jchawaii.com