Do you remember your first wave? When did you realize that surfing was bigger than just a pastime? When did it register that this simple act connected you with the natural world in a way that other sports just didn’t? Whether it was at a point break in Rhode Island or a beach break in Costa Rica, the feeling of that first wave is memorable and can leave an indelible impression on a person.
Daniel Lichtenberg, a San Francisco-based filmmaker, captured this very moment in short documentary entitled Earn The Day. The non-profit of the same name also teamed up with the Boys & Girls Club, Big Dog Surf Camp and the Surfrider Foundation to bring a group of enthusiastic kids from the Mission out to the beach to go surfing for their first time. Many of the kids come from low-income, single-parent families or are faced with similar adverse socio-economic situations. Consequently, there has been little opportunity to leave the urban jungle and escape to the coast. To say these kids had a great time would be an understatement. They had a blast. Those giant smiles and shakas said it all.
To see how you can get involved with Earn The Day, head on over to their website.
