An awesome display of aid

While it is difficult to say for certain, it is reasonable to assume

that had last month’s devastating earthquake and tsunami in South

Asia hit in the spring or early summer, Newport-Mesa would have lost

some of its sons and daughters. That is time of year when the Indian

Ocean draws surfers to a host of spots that vie for the title

“paradise.” Listen to any group of surfers in the water or on the

beach in Newport and you’re likely to hear at least one talking about

a trip to Indonesia, the Maldives or Sumatra. Everyone in the

community who surfs may not have been there, but chances are they all

know someone who has made the trip to surfers’ paradise.

Paradise, as we all know, turned into a nightmare last month, when

the waves swept across the Indian Ocean, killing an estimated 225,000

and leaving a million more homeless. Among those who swept in to help

the victims of this unimaginable tragedy were surfers who had visited

the area in far happier times. And among the leaders of one group of

surfers-turned-aid-workers was Newport Beach’s Bill Sharp.

As leader of the Billabong Odyssey -- a sponsored search for the

world’s biggest waves -- Sharp’s goal is to reach the untouched edges

of the world where no one -- at least no surfer -- has gone before.

That adventurer spirit, shared by his fellow relief workers who are

coordinating with the nonprofit SurfAid International, led the team

to Simeulue, an island less than 15 miles from the earthquake’s

epicenter that received scant attention from relief organizations.

Used to being on the edge of the world, these surfers found an

undiscovered bit of horror where their help was needed.

Basing their operations in Padang, a coastal Sumatran town, group

members brought 500 disaster aid kits, 135,000 liters of water, 500

blankets and 150 shovels to those in need. They also bought 37 tons

of food from local merchants -- a way of doubling their efforts in

support of those most affected by the tsunami. Sharp, himself,

plunked down $12,000 to rent a yacht for the work.

These surfers’ efforts are exemplary examples of how the world has

responded to the destruction and death in South Asia. That response

is a much-needed beacon of hope in an otherwise dark time.