From Sardinia to Down Under
We set off from the rugged shores of Sardinia to the beating heart of Down Under, where surfing is a mother tongue— a living history, a source of identity, and the spirit of a community.
While Sardinia shaped us amidst isolated waves, rocks, and Mistral winds, Australia welcomed us with its long beaches and the energy that permeates every wave, where surfing is part of a collective DNA. And on the iconic Bondi Beach, this message was loud and clear.
May 9th, Bondi Beach
On Friday, May 9th, 2025, the SurfAid Cup returns for the ninth consecutive year to the iconic Bondi Beach wave, with its well-established tag-team format, involving surfers of all ages and skill levels.
Each team is made up of four surfers who, in addition to competing on the waves, actively contribute to fundraising efforts in support of SurfAid’s mission: to improve the health, well-being, and resilience of communities living in remote regions of Indonesia and the Pacific.
These regions are renowned not only for the quality of their surf spots but, more importantly, for their deep connection to surf culture—sacred places that preserve a history and tradition representing their very essence.
What makes the event even more engaging is the opportunity for teams with the best fundraising results to select a professional surfer or local legend as the fifth member of their team.
Over the years, various editions of the SurfAid Cup—held in key Australian surf locations such as Bondi, Noosa, Margaret River, and others—have seen the participation of true icons of the sport, including Tom Carroll, Shane Dorian, Mark “Occy” Occhilupo, Matt “Wilko” Wilkinson, Damien Hardman, Layne Beachley, Sally Fitzgibbons, Laura Enever, and Taj Burrow.
In collaboration with Surfing NSW, SurfAid aims to raise $75,000 this year, with the funds specifically supporting women and children in some of the most remote areas of the Indo-Pacific region.
Throughout the event, amidst smiles, wax, and waves, it didn’t take long to feel that deep sense of belonging that binds us all.
Throughout the day, the sun and rain played tag over Bondi, as if the sky couldn’t decide. But no one seemed to mind: surfing, laughing, and sharing continued. Then, the rain began to fall harder, more persistently, until, with my camera tightly in hand, I started to worry—not so much for myself, but for her—my faithful companion through so many adventures.
The perfect moment
I look around and realize that under three small tents, we’ve all gathered: surfers, volunteers, friends, and strangers who have become allies.
We’re there, huddled together under the same rain, in an atmosphere that connects us all. In that moment, the music plays Tracy Chapman’s “Give Me One Reason,” and everything feels in perfect balance.
As the water slides off the tarps above us, I realize there’s nothing more beautiful than feeling part of something authentic.
The SurfAid Bondi Cup wasn’t just another surf competition: it was a declaration of intent, a collective act of solidarity, where every wave carried with it a clear and urgent message—that surfing can (and must) be a tool for building a more just, humane, and connected world.
Surfers took turns riding the waves to support SurfAid, the organization that, for over twenty years, has been working to improve the lives of communities in the world’s most remote regions—those same communities that gave birth to surf culture, and which are often forgotten.
A wave can change a life
Every wave ridden during the Bondi Cup was a small promise: to bring access to medical care, clean water, education, and food security to families living in isolation, far from hospitals and infrastructure.
In a format as simple as it is powerful, each team paddled out not just to raise funds, but to spark awareness. Because here, it’s not about chasing trophies—it’s about riding for someone’s life. Someone you may never meet, but who still feels like part of your global family.
And we were there, hearts full, hands in the water, with a belief that has always guided us: surfing is the rhythm of our days, the pulse of who we are. It’s a universal language capable of building bridges, breaking down distances, and creating real impact.
And as the waves continued to crash on the shore, one thing was clear to everyone: riding a wave can change someone’s day. Helping someone else ride theirs can change their life.
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