SurfAid and Rip Curl are excited to announce the launch of the sixth annual Make A Wave challenge. Surfers worldwide are encouraged to surf every day in September to raise funds for SurfAid’s vital programs, improving access to healthcare, clean water, and food security in remote surf communities.
Since its inception in 2021, Make A Wave has united surfers from 28 countries, raising over $3.6 million for SurfAid — including a record-breaking $1.1 million raised last year alone. This remarkable effort has allowed SurfAid to positively impact tens of thousands of people in remote surf communities such as in Rote and the Mentawai islands, where access to basic services is limited.
Rip Curl continues to be a driving force behind this initiative, championing the challenge with their commitment to exploring and protecting the remote surf locations cherished by surfers. Notable Rip Curl team athletes joining in this year include Owen Wright, Stephanie Gilmore and Erin Brooks.
Reflecting on his previous experience, Make A Wave Ambassador Owen Wright said: "Participating in the Make A Wave challenge was an incredible experience. Knowing that each wave I caught helped families gain access to the things we take for granted like clean water made every session even more meaningful. I can’t wait to do it again this September.”
Participants in the Make A Wave challenge will receive fundraising tips, coaching, and opportunities to share their daily surf adventures on social media with the hashtag #MakeAWave. By sharing their journeys, surfers will become part of a global community dedicated to making a meaningful difference in the places they love to surf.
Freely Travel Insurance has returned as a Community Partner and are bringing back their beloved Freely Legends Club. Make A Wave participants in Australia and the United States who fundraise $120 in their local currency will have their fundraising matched with another $120 donated to their page thanks to Freely’s partner the Z Zurich Foundation. Freely will also reward these surfers with an exclusive 2026 Make A Wave x Freely rashie.
SurfAid CEO Anna Bowden expressed her excitement about this year’s challenge: "The generosity surfers showed last year by raising over $1 million was extraordinary. It proves that this community doesn't just love the ocean and surfing, they love the people who call these remote coastlines home. That's the spirit we're taking into September, and we can't wait to see what we can achieve this year."
Surfers of all ages and skill levels are invited to join the Make A Wave challenge, whether individually or as part of a team with friends, family, schoolmates, colleagues or surf clubs. This year also sees a return of the Surf School Showdown and Boardriders Bash, with custom leaderboards for these teams to compete with one another. Participants will also have the chance to win prizes from top surf and adventure brands, including Rip Curl, Boost Mobile, YETI, Creatures of Leisure, Perfect Wave Travel, Firewire and URBNSURF.
Sign up now at makeawave.co and challenge yourself to surf every day in September. Together, we can create a wave of impact for families in the heartlands of surfing.
