Have a used kid’s surfboard collecting dust in the garage?
Positive Vibe Warriors, a nonprofit formed by San Clemente pro surfing brothers Pat, Dane and Tanner Gudauskas, are hosting a surfboard drive this Saturday, Nov. 16, at the Hobie Surf Shop in San Clemente.
The used youth boards will go to Native Like Water, a group dedicated to helping indigenous people find their way back to the ocean, coastal areas their ancestors called home for thousands of years.
Marc Chavez, who helps run the San Diego nonprofit, said the organization hosts cultural education for high school students and young adults throughout California, but also helps kids in rural areas of Mexico, where the surfboards will be heading.
“It’s to strike their interest in this native habitat that is part of their ancestral history, part of their ancestral being,” he said.
While the indigenous population in northern Baja lives along the coast, and has a great understanding of the ocean, they don’t have access to surfboards, he said.
“We can give them these grom surfboards and they are ready to go,” he said. “It’s a thing they want the most.”
One surf spot where the boards will be used is on the Nahua coast, an off-the-beaten-path beach where not a lot of travelers visit. In more popular areas, surf tourists will often leave boards behind for the youngsters.
“There’s not as many, so there’s more of a need,” Chavez said. “The surfboard is part of a healthy lifestyle. It’s not necessarily to be a competitive pro surfer, but to have that as a part of a healthy lifestyle.”
When Chavez shared the need with the Gudauskas brothers, who have done several surfboard drives through the years to help impoverished youth at various surf spots around the world, they quickly jumped aboard to help.
“These kids are in need of access to modern equipment, they are just an inspired group of kids fired up on surfing,” said Dane Gudauskas. “There are so many great surfers in San Clemente who want to help these communities.”
The Gudauskas brothers and the Native Like Water group will be on hand Saturday and people can come “talk story” and get inspired, Dane Gudauskas said.
“It’s really fun to be able to connect and learn about these emerging surf communities. That’s what inspired us the most,” Gudauskas said. “Any way we can facilitate their pursuit – that’s what keeps the stoke alive. We just love sharing the stoke and no matter if it’s an emerging surf community or youth water-safety program, we’re inspired to share.”
This will be the fourth board drive Positive Vibe Warriors has spearheaded. While it’s not the massive, multi-week board drives they’ve done in the past, the organizers are hoping to get about 50 surfboards, Gudauskas said.
Because of the kids’ understanding of the ocean, softtops are not needed.
The group is asking for water-tight surfboards – anywhere between 5-foot to 6-foot-3-inches in length – and any extra boards can be disturbed to other communities they work in where they see a need.
“There’s always a home for the boards, there’s always a need,” Gudauskas said. “Whatever people feel like contributing, we’ll make sure they go to a good place.”
Youth swimsuits, leashes and fins are also appreciated.
The board drive will happen from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Hobie Surf Shop at 167 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente.