2021 Surfaid Cup at URBN Surf

Last updated: 17 May, 2021

An integral part of Perfect Wave’s DNA is a core belief that we need to give back where possible to amazing destinations we have been fortunate enough to visit ourselves and send our clients to. One organisation that has been delivering essential services and support to Indonesia for over 20 years is SurfAid. So whenever we get the opportunity to contribute and be part of their fundraising endeavours, we want to try and play our part.

So when CEO of SurfAid Doug Lees decided to create a Surf Aid Cup @ URBN surf in Melbourne, we wanted in. With no staff based out of Melbourne, we put our feelers out there to our Victorian based clients and we were stoked to get a group of legend boys that have been doing trips with us nearly since we started back in 2007.

Team Perfect Wave

The mix of Melbourne and Lorne crew made up of Big Tony Hood and his brother Pete, Phil Butterworth, Damon Scoffern & Chuck Warner all got together and between them raised an amazing $9,500. The boys not only reached out to their family and friends to help raise this, they gave their time during the weekends organising fundraising BBQs on the South Coast. So a massive thank you to all the boys and their families and friends for supporting what was a very successful fundraising effort for SurfAid with over $70,000 raised in total.

Fundraising in COVID times

Come Cup day, the crew were primed for a day of fun in the pool and so after a late night flight down from Sydney for myself and last minute recruit, the Captain, we hit the pool at 6am for a warm up session with pool temperature of 12 degrees. Us Sydney boys were sporting 4’3 wetsuits and booties and still complaining about the cold, with the Vicco crew calling us soft with their 3’2 wetsuits and bare feet.

Captain Big Ton Hood inspecting the Equipment

Apart from the cold, we all had a fantastic day together, hooting and hollering as each scored another perfect wave produced by a machine. The best way to describe a wave pool experience for a surfer is like your a kid in a candy store or Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. So much fun!

We got to surf with some amazing surfers as the other teams brought in pros and semi pros. But I am personally awarding Team Perfect Wave with the froth award as we might have been the oldest group in the pool but we definitely were acting like the youngest.

Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory – Pete Hood and Jamie Gray

Congratulations to team Rip Curl for winning the event, and it was a pleasure sharing the water with them. They were all as happy as we were to have the day off and to spend the day in the pool.

Team Rip Curl

It is always a pleasure to share the water with 7-time World Champ Layne Beachley, and we both agreed that water was a little cooler than our home lineup on the Northern Beaches.

The Lady still has it – Ripping

As I said, the competition was pretty solid, with the Kerrs in the house putting on an amazing display. Just lovely humans as well.

Team Kerr

Josh Kerr

A big Thanks to SurfAid CEO Doug Lees for putting on a great event.

Last word though goes to team Perfect Wave whom it was a pleasure to spend the day with in the pool and few quiet beers afterwards. Thanks for having me boys, and can’t wait until the next time.

Left or Right didn’t matter for Damo – Dropping the Wallet everywhere: