To Everyone That Supports (financially and otherwise) Indo Jax and Ocean Cure:
As most of you know, three of us surfer dudes from Ocean Cure and Indo Jax just got back from India where we provided a four-day charity surf camp for two sisters and twenty-three orphan girls — not your usual combination.
From the day of our departure out of Raleigh, North Carolina to the day we returned, the trip was blessed with good fortune.
Arriving at Home of Hope after an eighteen-hour flight and one-hour drive, the girls were waiting for us. The sun yet to rise, they peered through windows to take in three unshaven surfers carrying surfboards and bags filled with gifts and needed supplies for the girls.
After a short nap, we emerged from our rooms to an amazing site: a hallway full of girls hiding behind one another, giggling. I’d say it took ten, maybe twenty-seconds for them to warm up to us and start chattering away in Hindi. From then on it was a goof-ball fest: we played games, sang and danced, shoot hoops, and I let them borrow my digital camera (800 shots gone like that). All this in 90° equator heat and humidity that would melt titanium. No matter, all were in good spirits and talk of the upcoming surf safari was uppermost on our minds.
I should interject — remind us all — that these girls came from tragic circumstances, forced into begging and prostitution, their childhoods lost. In fact, one four year-old girl that joined us on the trip had been left abandoned on a busy street corner just four months before. Now, though, to the surf trip itself and the healing powers of surfing and water…
When we arrived at Varkala Beach — a beautiful cliff-top town overlooking the Indian Ocean — the girls were at first tentative about dipping a toe in the water, let alone surfing. Once we got them out in the water riding waves, though, they charged it. Nothing would deter them. These girls are tough, resilient, and they took some really nasty wipeouts, laughing each time they came to the surface. After a bit, they got the hang of it and rode wave after wave with abandon. All the while the others played in the shallow water waiting their turn, clapping and cheering their friends on. It was contagious. For four days, we were one big family sharing the gift of surfing.
It’s hard to convey the profound impact this experience had on all concerned. Timid girls came out of their shells, those at first reluctant to surf ended up riding waves for thirty-yards, their arms lifted in triumph, the sisters hugging each one as they came to shore. And that little girl found alone and in a state of bewilderment on the street corner? That girl turned out to be one of the best surfers in the group. In fact, if the sun didn’t eventually set she never would have gotten out of the water.
On our return home to the orphanage that little girl, and all the others, were singing and dancing in the aisles. The three of us surfer dudes sat back in our seats taking in the scene. I’m sure each of us were asking the same question: “How did we pull this off?” In large part it was due to your kindness and generosity. For that, we thank each and every one of you!
Please take a look at the attached photos — hopefully they will give you the opportunity to experience what all of us in India experienced: the power of surfing to uplift and inspire.
My best,
Dale
See Facebook for photos!
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?filter=app_2915120374#!/album.php?aid=213885&id=349247730294
