Ant Brodowicz is still spreading surfing ‘stoke’
Earlier this year, a fire destroyed the Trafalgar clubhouse.
Legendary surfing icon, Ant Brodowicz has been giving back to development surfing for almost a decade.
Ant, who is the owner of Surf Action in Margate and The Blue Cool Surf Shop in Ramsgate, was the seventh ISA world surfing champion in 1978.
YOU MIGHT ALSO BE INTERESTED IN : Blazing fire in Trafalgar destroys young surfers’ hopes
He supports two fantastic initiatives – the Board Drive and the Trafalgar Surf Club – which encourages everyone to donate second-hand boards to children who come from disadvantaged backgrounds.
“We are just stoke merchants, sowing seeds and passing on the stoke,” added Ant, smiling.
The ‘can’t steal our vibe’ Board Drive, presented by the Gudauskas brothers’ Positive Vibe Warrior Foundation in partnership with pro surfer Michael February, has recently arrived in South Africa.
Following the overwhelming response and a very successful surfboard drive in California, where more than 650 surfboards were collected, South African communities can now also get involved and donate second-hand boards to benefit Waves For Change and the Surfers Not Street Children in South Africa.
These organisations provide safe spaces, caring mentors and a provision of weekly surf therapy sessions to give vulnerable children the skills to cope with stress, build healing relationships and make positive life choices.
Ant’s shop is one of the drop-off points. Donations can be made until November 30 and include any surfboard, soft board or boogie board that is watertight.
However, Ant has been collecting second-hand boards for the Trafalgar Surf Club, headed by founder of ‘Wave of Hope’, Philani Sikobi, for the last eight years and will carry on collecting for these children.
Earlier this year, a fire destroyed the Trafalgar clubhouse. Philani told the Herald at the time of the fire, that the project truly makes a lasting difference in the lives of children who have nothing. “These kids come from difficult backgrounds, they work hard and are doing well at school. We don’t teach them only surfing but discipline as well.”
Good-hearted Ant makes a plan to get the donated boards repaired, if need be, and then delivered to the children at the surf club.
What kind of boards are useful for the children?
Short, performance boards with thruster fins (three fins) as they are generally stable boards and are great for children to learn on.
With this in mind, perhaps it is time to clean out the garage, dust off those old boards and give this season.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
For news straight to your phone, add us on BBM 58F3D7A7 or WhatsApp 082 421 6033
