Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is often referred to as the pearl of the Indian Ocean or the tear drop of India. Our mission there is to serve, meet needs and change lives of the local community of Arugam Bay.

VISION

To establish a Surfing The Nations International Surf Base, that will serve the youth of Arugam Bay.

HISTORY

Surfing The Nations went to Sri Lanka in search of waves, back in 1998. They found a world-class point break, only surfed by a handful of local surfers, and a young man named Johnson Ratnasingam. Tom Bauer’s immediate connection with Johnson launched STN into a tight relationship with the surf community.

Immediately after the devastating tsunami of 2004, Johnson called STN asking for help. Forty days later STN arrived in Arugam Bay with a team ready to serve. They came with suitcases packed with clothes, toys, basic living supplies, and hands willing to work. Joining the relief effort of the devastated coastal community connected STN to the families and surfers whose lives were forever changed. Willingness to remove debris, play games with the kids, and help pick up the pieces emotionally and physically for many, forever united STN with the locals of Arugam Bay Surfing The Nations purchased a small plot of land, along the coast of Arugam Bay, and so established their first International Surf Base.

PRESENT

Currently living in Sri Lanka are Andy Lister, Pontus Engberg and the Carothers family. Andy heads up the Surf Base in Sri Lanka, giving local youth surf and English lessons while managing the property. Pontus serves as a contact between the surf base and the local surf clubs of Sri Lanka. Tiffany Carothers has started up a ladies fellowship and tea time while her husband Cody spends his time working with the surf boys and blessing the locals by catching fish.

FUTURE

Surfing The Nations sends teams of committed volunteers to serve the Arugam Bay area annually. STN aspires to develop the Surf Base so that it can host traveling surfers as well as be a place the community can experience friendship, fellowship and love.