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Donations Needed for Farrington High School Surf Team

Find out how you can support the Farrington High School Surf Team which is teaching water safety, swim skills, and surfing to athletes in Kalihi.

March 6, 2023

The Farrington High School Surf Team needs your kokua! New or used foam or fiberglass surfboards and new leashes are needed to support the team. From their coach:

"I have had the privilege to coach the Farrington High School surf team for the past 15 years. Most of our students from Kalihi do not have access to the ocean. We get all the boards donated and for 90% or more of our students, it is their first time learning to surf. For many of our students who live in housing projects or have challenging home lives, the surf team is their one healthy outlet that becomes a second family. Surfing has gotten them out of gang life, drug life, and the many other challenges many of our Kalihi students face. students face. They are able to get out of the streets and have good clean fun surfing, connecting to the ocean and the culture.  Most of our students are not in other sports and the surf team is the reason they do not fall through the cracks. If they get a 3.0 GPA, we give them a used board at our end-of-the-year banquet. The team aspect is so important to be a part of something bigger than oneself. Other than paddling this is the only Native Hawaiian DOE sport, which is so crucial since this is the birthplace and mecca of surfing.  

For boards, our biggest need right now is longboards that are in good shape and leashes. We have a shop and teach the kids how to do their own ding repair. Mahalo nui."

Call or email Coach Brady about your donations.

Cash donations are also appreciated to help with competition and transportation costs; donations to Farrington High School (Surf Team) are tax-deductible and may be mailed to 1564 North King Street Honolulu, HI 96817.

For now, the DOE does not fund surfing as a sport so this team is operating as a club that depends on fundraising and coach support. Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation supports 2023 house bill 500 to fund surfing in public schools.

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