Source: http://www.aspaustralasia.com.au/2012/01/12/sri-lanka-more-than-just-another-surfing-destination/

SRI LANKA 2011 – SriLankan Airlines Pro from Curtis Redden on Vimeo.

Eight killed, 50 injured in Matara storm
By Leon Berenger

At least eight persons were killed some 50 others injured, and an estimated 1000 plus houses damaged as gale-force winds ripped through several places in the Matara and Galle Districts from early today, an official with the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said a short while ago.

DMC Additional Director, Pradeep Koddippili  said at least four fishermen who had gone out to sea the previous night were confirmed among the dead. Another woman, a mother of five was crushed under a massive tree that was uprooted in the gale, he said.

The remaining victims are believed to have been crushed under their homes, he added.

Unconfirmed reports also suggested that dozens of fishermen were unaccounted for and that the navy had been called in to carry out a search in the deep seas.

Several buildings, including schools, and at least two state institutions were also damaged in the raging winds while the electricity supply to the area has also been put down, he added.

In additon some 1065 families or 5, 305 persons were also displaced in the Matara District alone, Mr. Kodippilli said.

Navy Spokesperson Kosala Warnakulasooriya said the navy was finding it difficult to send rescue vessels into the Galle and Matara coastline owing to choppy seas. “We will have to wait till the weather clears up before deciding to move in”, he said.

However navy personnel have been rushed to Weligama, Rekkawa, Kalametiya, Nilwalla and Gandara to assist in rescue operations, he said.

D. A. Jayasingheaarachchi with the Department of Meteorology said the current weather condition in the southern coastal belt and in other areas of the country was owing to a low level disturbance off the south-western coast.

He added that winds packing speeds of upto 70 kilometres per hour was set to hit the sea area during the night and tomorrow, but firmly ruled out a cyclone condition.

Source: http://www.sundaytimes.lk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=13252:nine-killed-50-injured-in-matara-storm&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=547

Testimonial from Andy Lister;
This is Babu, aged 17; he was born and raised in the coastal town of Arugam Bay (Ulla) known largely for it’s world class point break, a peeling right hander. Babu comes from a large family, having four sisters and three brothers. Babu is heavily burden with his responsibly to his family, and like most others from Arugam Bay, Babu is a fisherman by trade, making his livelihood off the sea. After work each day he set to his household chores helping his mother, but as soon as he is done he heads out to his backyard (also know as Arugam Bay’s Main Point) for a surf . Babu is one of the happiest young guys I know, always smiling, he loves to meet new people, and if you think he is happy out of the water, well he’s exuberant in the water. He is a true ‘Waterman’ as they are called in Hawaii the birth place of surfing, Babu is a light to the true spirit of surfing; the ‘spirit of aloha’.

Babu has been surfing for about five years, and though he has never had enough money to buy a surfboard, he has always meet willing tourist to help him out.

Babu has been in a number of local and international surf competitions. Babu’s best result was a 3rd in the under 18 boys ‘Aloha Classic’, in 2008.

Babu’s hope is to see his family do well and after that he hopes to one day be able to travel the world in search of waves.

He loves life and surfing and loves his country, Sri Lanka.

Written by Andy Lister,
Surfing the Nations,
Sri Lanka

Surfing The Nations is a non-profit, humanitarian organization delivering the message of love and hope through the sport of surfing and acts of selfless.

The sponsored surfer from Santa Cruz, California, is catching waves around the world and making films about social and environmental issues. In his Surfing For Change series, Thiermann puts current natural resource and social justice conflicts into perspective by focusing on simple solutions, helped by how short his films are (all under five minutes).

Recently, while compiling research for an upcoming trip in Sri Lanka, I stumbled across Kyle’s work. I was surprised to learn that even though he is only 21 and still in college, Kyle has already inspired fellow athletes to be activists through his work. As a dedicated surfer (and, therefore, clean water advocate) this resonated with me. I felt compelled to reach out to Kyle to learn more about his organization and specifically about his second film: Buy Local, Surf Global that took place in Sri Lanka.

[DB:] Where do you go to university, and what are you studying?

[KT:] I am getting my BS in Green Business through Gaia University; it’s the coolest school ever! Gaia accredits you to do real social and environmental change work in the world. Students do it from all over the world. I graduate this September.

When did you start the following activities and why?

Surfing: I started surfing when I was like 10 years old. It’s weird to think that I’ve been surfing for 11 years, wow. I just love what a challenge surfing is every time you go out. Every surf session is new because no two waves are the same.

Making films: My parents make movies so they taught me how to do it from a really young age. I just love storytelling and making movies is a great way to tell a story.

Being an activist: I think traveling inspired my activism. It allowed me to see how other people live and how my daily
decisions were having an effect on their lives.

You have filmed four documentaries. Can you summarize each of them in one sentence?

Claim Your Change: Chile. Stop funding coal, and start supporting your community through local banking

Buy Local, Surf Global: Sri Lanka. The power we have to change people’s lives through our shopping choices.

BP, You, and Me: Who are BP’s funders and who should you be banking with?

Where Is ‘Away?: Solving Plastic Pollution in 4 Minutes: Where does your plastic bag go–maybe Oahu?

What projects are you currently working on?

I’m going to South Africa next to do my next movie on nuclear energy.

How else do you think traveling is important [for your work or for you personally]?

Traveling has helped me because it’s allowed me to be exposed to different cultures and to see how many different kinds of people there are in the world. Traveling was what inspired me to start my online TV series, Surfing for Change. I’ve been fortunate enough to travel from a really young age, all through Latin America, some in Asia like Indonesia and Sri Lanka.

Tell me about your trip to Sri Lanka. Do you have any recommendations for travelers going there?

Sri Lanka is awesome! I visited clothing manufacturing companies and did a story on how we at home have an effect on Sri Lankans’ working conditions through the clothes we buy. Check out the movie at Surfing for Change. [And] if you ever have a chance to go to Sri Lanka, check out Arugam Bay and stay at the Freedom Cabanas. Tell them Kyle sent you!

What kind of relationships did you establish with the local residents, and what is it like to do work in places like Sri Lanka?

In Sri Lanka, I made a bunch of friends who I still stay in touch with. I think it’s great exposure to see how other people live. The world is a book, and those who don’t travel read only one page.

Continue to follow the interview by clicking the link;

http://matadornetwork.com/sports/surfing-for-change-pro-surfing-activist-kyle-theirmann/

Board  Size 5’10

Surfing since 2009

Represents Medigama

Born on the 9^th of August 1996

Future plans, complete studies and take part in Surf Events.

Board Lost 5’10

Represents Weligama

Born on the 31^st of January 1984

Best result 2^nd in Hikkaduwa Open Competition

Works as a fishermen in the offseason.

Mount Lavinia, Sri Lanka is one of the first locations where surfing originated in Sri Lanka. The local crew, a handful of hardcore beach lovers flipped through magazines and books in the 1960s and made their own surfboards. Slowly but surely they started exploring the South Coast of Sri Lanka, eventually the East and surfing thus gained popularity in the country.

Fast forward to the present, Mount Lavinia has not seen much surfing until a generous gesture by Paddle 4 Relief’s donation through the Surfing Federation of Sri Lanka a few months ago. The 7 second hand surf boards were received by the local boys who intend to repair, learn and eventually teach the sport to others in turn earning an additional income for themselves.

The boys aged from 15 to 30 don’t have much. They have no guidance and support and surfing will be a tool which will be used to make a change for the better. They live in the little houses by the side of railroad in Mount Lavinia. They are exposed to all the dangers that youth face, only multiplied much more.

A tough life, but not one without hope.

Sri Lanka’s 3 time Olympian – Julian Bolling will assist as a mentor to make a change. The boards are our tool. Thanks to this donation from P4R we will utilize these tools to create something great out these boys. We will teach them the sport, support them with gear and hopefully see them competing and bringing Sri Lanka its first medal in the sport of surfing. A far-fetched idea but not an impossible one. All it takes is belief, care and encouragement.

These boards are the first steps toward making the change and the start of something great in Sri Lanka.

Contact: Dilsiri Welikala, dilsiriw@gmail.com

Surfers in Mount Lavinia.