When we were talking with the people from Honda about utilizing their mini-vans for our Dads Doing Good series, I knew right from the get-go that I’d want to work with an organization with some affiliation to the ocean. I’ve spent my life on the beach (not counting a very dry stint in a very beach-less Arizona), so I set out to find an organization that did beach clean-ups, or dune planting or something like that. Instead, I came across the amazing Mauli Ola Foundation. “Mauli Ola” means “breath of life” in Hawaiian.
The Mauli Ola Foundation was started back in 2007 as a natural treatment for Cystic Fibrosis. It had been proven that the when patients breath in the mist from salt water, it helps clear their lungs and help them breath. By organizing surf events for kids suffering from Cystic Fibrosis, Mauli Ola not only introduces the kids to surfing, but gives them the natural treatment the ocean provides by catching the waves and occasionally wiping out.
When I found this group, I knew I wanted to work with them. I was an ocean lifeguard for 10 years, grew up in the Atlantic before heading far West to Hawaii and finally to Southern CA where they are based. I reached out to them and heard back from Bobby Serna, the Surf Experience director. He loved the idea of having Life of Dad and Honda help out and we were on our way.
Now, I didn’t particularly have any special connection to Cystic Fibrosis. I don’t think I’ve ever known anyone who had it, but I was happy to be helping these kids all the same. Then when I told Life of Dad founder Tom Riles about it, I found out that he has a very big connection. In his extended family several people have had Cystic Fibrosis. Suddenly working with them took on a more special meaning.
The day of the event was rad. The surf experience day was happening about 300 yards from the US Open Of Surfing. This meant that all of the biggest surfers in the world would be nearby. Early that morning we met up with HK who runs Kula Nalu Ocean Sports. Now, if you, or anyone you know is going to be in Southern CA, this is the guy you want to know. He runs a fantastic surf school in Huntington Beach and takes hundreds of people out for their first time on a board. His school not only gets you on a board, but really teaches people about the ocean and instills a deep appreciation for it. HK was providing many of the boards the kids would be using. After a bit of coffee, we loaded them up and head down to the beach.
The surfing was amazing all day. Kids had traveled for this event from all over CA. One family made a 7 hour drive to be there. One family has been making it to every event because three of their 5 kids have cystic fibrosis and they swear by the positive effects of surfing.
Right away I started recognizing faces that I’ve known my whole life through surf magazines and movies. Hans Hagen, Jason Magallanes, and former Triple Crown World Champion Sunny Garcia. I was blown away that these guys were able to set side apart from the championship happening up the beach, to be a part of this. The whole day was nothing short of fantastic. All day long you’d hear Bobby celebrating a great ride, or cheering the kids on with “He/She just went in for a natural breathing treatment” when the kids ate it hard. Looking back, I feel more than proud to have been a part of the event. The foundation’s main goal is to raise awareness for Cystic Fibrosis and I am thrilled to be a part of that for them. I plan on volunteering at all of the Southern CA events from now on and hope to get to the one in HI one year. If an event is happening near you, stop by. Help out. You’ll have a blast and you’ll be able to meet an outstanding group of kids.
Here is the video which shows our entire experience.
Disclaimer: Life of Dad and National Fatherhood Initiative were paid by Honda for the “Dads Doing Good” campaign.