For 10 days in October, an elite crew of surfers and photographers joined one grand prize winner on an epic voyage from Nias to the Mentawais.

This wasn't your normal boat trip: Our goal was to meet the local people and see the work of SurfAid International in action. SurfAid offers a chance to give something back through health projects that promote community-based, self-help solutions. Primary goals include combating Malaria and rebuilding communities damaged by the tsunami and earthquake.

For pro surfers Brad Gerlach, Dane Ward, Will Tant, and Chris Waring, this trip offered much more than tubes. Going behind the trees revealed the culture and context that surrounds Sumatran surfing. In Nias, our crew put on a surf contest for the local groms, and then attended a tribal dance and celebration as guests of honor. In the Mentawai Islands, we saw the work of SurfAid up close while touring PeiPei Village, and danced with Shamans at Kandui Resort. The crew wrapped things up in the water, with draining pits at Lance's and Maccas. But for surfers like Gerr, the waves were just icing on the cake. "I can get good waves anytime. But to be involved with this, see what they're doing... incredible."

The Wave of Compassion trip left us with a new perspective on surf travel, and a renewed commitment to give back to local people.
--Lewis Samuels

It's not too late to get involved: check out surfaidinternational.org