The SurfAid Cup returns to Malibu this year on September 8th with former Baywatch star and Malibu local David Chokachi as SurfAid Ambassador.
SurfAid is a tag-team surf competition open to long or short boarders who raise funds in order to compete. Each team is made up of four amateurs and one pro. The team that raises the most money gets the first pick from an impressive line-up of pros and local legends.
The event has been supported by some of surfing’s most iconic and recognizable legends including Tom Carroll, Shane Dorian, Mark “Occy” Occhilupo, Layne Beachley, Rob Machado, Owen Wright, Simon Anderson, Sally Fitzgibbons, Luke Egan, Laura Enever, Lisa Andersen, Joel Tudor, Strider Wasilewski, Nat Young and Taj Burrow.
The Local Malibu recently caught up with Chokachi on Point Dume to talk about his participation in the upcoming event and how the community can get involved.
The Local Malibu: You played a lifeguard on TV and now you find yourself saving lives in real life. How did you become involved with SurfAid and what inspired you to help support their cause?
David Chokachi: Well, my good friend and fellow surfer/actor/Father/ocean lover, Zen Gesner, had told me about SurfAid a year ago, and I loved what they stand for. Then this year, there was an opening on Team Foam Ballers, and Zen invited me to join the team, which I was ecstatic about. To do something that I absolutely love (surf), and at the same time raise money and awareness for a cause like SurfAid, is a win win. I love SurfAid’s mission, to help women and children in remote places around the world, who are connected to us through surfing.
The Local Malibu: The SurfAid Cup is in its 7th year in Malibu and we hear you are going to be one of the featured contestants. What will you be riding?
David Chokachi: Yeah, yeah… I will be part of The Foam Ballers team, and I’ll be riding my 9’6 Harbour Surfboard which was a gift from Hal Whitby, our Sound Mixer on Baywatch some 23 years ago.
The Local Malibu: The SurfAid Cup helps fund Mother and Child Health Programs in extremely remote communities that lack access to clean water & sanitation, basic healthcare, and nutrition. Knowing how critical it is to have access to these services, how does it feel to be giving this opportunity to others?
David Chokachi: You know, I think we all forget how lucky we are to have easy access to clean water and basic healthcare. We get caught up in our busy lives, and forget how fortunate we are have these primary needs and services readily available to us. And women and children are disproportionately affected when there is little or no access to clean water and sanitation, so SurfAid’s focus on them is extremely important. It’s really a great feeling to know that we can provide vital support by raising funds and awareness, right here in Malibu.
The Local Malibu: Your work has brought you all over the world and you’ve likely visited areas with needs greater than ours. We often want to help the local communities, but don’t know how or where to start. How do you see SurfAid bridging this gap for surf travelers?
David Chokachi: Well, the great thing about surfers is their passion for finding “the perfect wave,” and some of the most exciting places in the world to surf are in areas that are extremely remote. So it’s pretty common that surfers often see these challenges first-hand, and once you come into direct contact with people in need, you have to do something about that. It’s hard for one person to think they can make a difference, but SurfAid has mobilized a global community of surfers to help all of us create real impact. And I love SurfAid’s philosophy of “hand up, not hand out,” which creates sustainable change.
The Local Malibu: In addition to raising funds for SurfAid’s Mother and Child Health Programs, the event also gives the average person a chance to surf with some of the best and most recognizable surfers in the area. What advice would you give to surfers who might be nervous about competing alongside some of their idols?
David Chokoachi: First of all, these guys are some of the most down-to-earth, generous and cool people you will every meet. Plus everyone is surfing for a great cause, and this takes any ego out of the equation. You can just have fun, and try to do your best!
The Local Malibu: The Baywatch movie recently came out and introduced us to a new cast. If you had to pick between the Hoff or the Roc, who is more likely to get you to the SurfAid Cup finals?
David Chokachi: That’s a tough one, my loyalty is to the Hoff, but the Rock has proven he can do just about anything, so I wouldn’t count him out!
The Local Malibu: How can people get involved in SurfAid?
David Chokachi: People can donate by going to https://www.classy.org/fundraiser/1557302. Every contribution goes a long way. Just 50 cents a day – or $15 a month – covers the cost of one month of clean water to a family of 6.
The Local Malibu: Is there anything else you’d like to share?
David Chokachi: I am super stoked to join my friends in the surf community to support the work of this amazing organization. SurfAid programs are truly saving lives and strengthening communities in need. Most importantly, I want to encourage everyone to participate in any way you can.
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