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.

TESTIMONIES

Simple things are often the best. One of the highlights during my time in Sri Lanka was building a kitchen for a guy named Asanka. Asanka is the guy who everyone knows, mostly because he owns a little cafe at the end of the point where everyone goes surfing. What many people don’t know is that Asanka lost his parents at an early age and basically took it upon himself to raise his younger siblings. He’s a quiet guy, enjoys the simple life, and is always working hard to support his family and friends while a lot of other guys his age are out partying. Asanka is often seen helping and feeding people, so for someone to be giving something back to him was a big deal. He’s a pretty busy dude, so it was great to do something for him that he probably wouldn’t get the time to do otherwise. His English isn’t that great and he doesn’t show much emotion, but I could tell that this occasion meant a lot to him. That was the best part of the trip for me. -Andy Keeffe

When I thought about going back to Sri Lanka the third time, it really didn’t seem that strange. I knew what to pack, I practiced my Tamil, I got on the plane. That seems to be a theme for me, normality, even comfort at times. When we finally arrived and jumped in the vans, we quickly came across a military check point. Since they drive on the other side of the road, and also the other side of the car, my window rolled down and I was face to face with the military man himself. The van driver explained that we were just surfers, and the military man understood. I looked at him and said no words but knowingly bobbled (the Sri Lankan expression for yes, no, maybe, and thanks) my head in thanks. A smile flashed across his face as he responded in a surprised bobble. That’s when I realized, Sri Lanka now feels more like an old friend’s hug than the handshake of a new one. And it didn’t stop there.

My good friend Babu, a local 17-year-old surfer, invited the whole STN team to his house for his mother’s birthday. It was just close family and friends and those who are special to his family. STN has made a lasting impact on Babu, his maturity, his education, and of course his surfing ability. Once we arrived at the party I got to meet the latest addition to the family Naomi (named by Andy Lister) a 2-year-old girl who was still in the womb last time I was in town. After a few quick formalities I was pulled into the kitchen to help – which I loved, of course. Throughout the night I was making tea, holding Naomi and spending time with Babu’s grandmother. Naomi, who supposedly cries in the arms of tourists, fell asleep on my shoulder. Grandma fed me ice cream then wiped my face with her hand and later insisted on feeding me soda from her cup. Babu’s older sister Ruvi had me make local style tea and serve it to all the guests. This was the best example of the feeling on this third trip. The first time we met they were stoked, the second time I came they were surprised I came back, and this third time I’m an old friend who easily fits into the puzzle that is Sri Lanka. I’m no longer the guest, the foreign visitor from afar, I’m just Renee their good friend from America. -Renee Arnold