Make A Wave Challenge – 30 Days of Surfing for a Cause
This September, surfers from around the world are paddling out with a purpose. The fifth annual Make A Wave Challenge, powered by SurfAid, is back. Women + Waves have jumped on board again, and it’s about more than just catching waves. It is about using our love of the ocean to create real change for families living beside some of the world’s most remote and iconic waves.
What is the Make A Wave Challenge?
From September 1st to 30th, rookies and pros alike commit to surfing every single day for 30 days straight. Each wave caught, each paddle out, and each salty sunrise surf session adds up to something much bigger, raising funds and awareness for SurfAid.
SurfAid is a non-profit organisation making a huge difference in remote communities across Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and beyond. Their work helps families access clean water, healthcare, sanitation, and food security – essentials that many of us take for granted but that are life-changing in these communities. This is close to our hearts as we deliver our annual Bali Island Retreat in Indonesia and love to support the local communities that welcome us.
Women + Waves joins the movement
We are so excited that our very own Women + Waves mini-team riders, Mila Barber and Annabelle Busby, will be taking part in this year’s challenge. These young surfers are already showing that the surf community is about more than just riding waves – it is about giving back, connecting, and making a positive impact.
And it is not just about surfing. The challenge is open to everyone. Whether you surf, swim, bodyboard, or commit to a daily ritual like yoga, stretching, or breathwork, the goal is consistency, community, and contribution. Mila and Annabelle are surfing every day, regardless of conditions, and you can follow their journey on our socials.
Why it matters
For families in isolated coastal regions, access to basic services can be extremely limited. By supporting SurfAid, you are helping to:
- Provide clean drinking water through wells and filtration systems
- Support mothers and babies with essential healthcare
- Improve sanitation and hygiene to reduce illness
- Strengthen food security with community-led farming projects
Every donation raised through the Make A Wave Challenge goes directly towards these life-changing initiatives.
How you can help
At Women + Waves, we believe in the power of community and the ocean to transform lives. This September, we will be cheering on Mila, Annabelle, and everyone taking part in the Make A Wave Challenge. Please watch our social media for updates and help us share the message about rural surf communities that lack access to sanitation, food, and shelter.
You can financially support the movement by sponsoring them here: makeawave.co/mila-annabelle
If you want to push your own skills while contributing to the surf community, try our Newquay Progressor Surfer Programme. Or join us abroad on the Morocco surf trip and Costa Rica adventure, both packed with culture, waves, and community spirit.
