A sign on the 130-year-old pier at Saltburn-by-the-Sea warns people not to jump off it. On a big surf day surfers make their way to the end of the sturdy 206 metre structure and jump like lemmings into the cold, murky North Sea. Words: Simon Palmer Photos: Ian Forsyth

Highs and lows in Morocco. Photos and words by Dan Crockett.

Meeting a legend is something few people have the opportunity to do. During a short stay in California last winter Dave Muir created his own luck in finding Skip Frye at home. He was welcomed in to take a look around. Words: Dave Muir Photos: Dave Muir and Skip Frye

Quietly considered and eloquent, you might know of Nathan Oldfield through his films 'Lines From A Poem' and 'Seaworthy'. Surf Screen's Christiaan Bailey popped him a few duly thoughtful questions about creative motivations and the surf film industry. Photos: Nathan Oldfield

This isn't a shameless plug. This is an encounter with a British company doing something special with surfboards. While the industry is focused on the multi-buck movers and shakers parading their eco-wares, let's not forget our homegrown talent. Words: Howard Swanwick Photos: John Morgan and Jamie Bott

Four compadres take a New Zealand road-trip in search of lefts in a volcano's shadow… All aboard the good ship Peterson Threebeard with Dano, Purcho, Mud and Johnny.

Former A-Bay Surf Club Chairman Dies

October 22, 2009 | Words By: Jamie

paddle4relief149-year-old former Arugam Bay Surf Club Chairman, Ranjan, died of a massive heart attack while surfing at Baby Point, Arugam Bay, on the east coast of Sri Lanka. Attempts at CPR by both local people and Western tourists alike failed to revive him.

Ranjan died doing something that was close to his heart and will be sorely missed. He was a mellow and humorous pillar of the local community, leaving behind a wife and three sons. Alan, the eldest, is a regular surfer, who uses UK surfboards donated by Paddle4Relief. He has been a force within the charity, using his skills to repair our computer.

Ranjan’s death highlights the need for both beach life guards and a medical centre in the village. With the civil war over, internal travel within Sri Lanka, particularly the East and North, is more relaxed, so we’re seeing increasing numbers of both Western and Sri Lankan tourists crowding the beach and sea. It is more apparent then ever that there is a desperate need for qualified life savers. Local surfers are regularly rescuing individuals from the unpredictable tropical coastline, and the young surfers of the village are demanding action to prevent further loss of life. They are willing to undergo training and man the local surf breaks in an attempt to save life and prevent injury. These young men are turning to the international humanitarian, medical, surfing, surf life-saving and water sports communities to assist them in their quest!

Out of respect for Ranjan, the community of Arugam Bay is determined to make this change happen, and hopes that all who read this article can be generous in offering  either practical or financial help.

Please either contact Fawas, present Chairman of Arugam Bay Surf Club or Tim Tanton at Paddle4Relief.

   

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