Ramjan: Bangladeshi Surfer (text)

So, just as I suspected, surfers are pretty much similar everywhere you go. Must be something in the saltwater. This guy not only looks like a brown skinned version of my buddy Simon, but he acted just like him too.  Always smiling.  I ended up surfing with the surf boys and surf girls of Jafar's club on two different occasions. We had fun little LEFTS! both days, about knee to waist.  The water was warm and the the Sun was out. I couldn't have asked for more. They loaned me a 9'4" single fin so those of you who know me know that I was right at home and knew just what to do: get loose!

The Bangladesh Surf Club was so stoked to receive the many and generous gifts from the Ventura Surf Club, the Bolsa Chica T18 crew, and the alaia that Dan and Jon donated. When I visited them later that night at the surf club, they were all looking good in Ventura Surf Club t-shirts  and some of our stickers had made it on the door. Jafar is a man of character and is really trying to help the families of the less fortunate surfers in the club. He is struggling against extreme poverty, girls being pressured by hunger into prostitution, and local politicians who who try and take a slice of graft at every step. There were quite a few big wigs at the board giving ceremony, and John and I really tried to impress upon the crowd that Jafar was an international celebrity in the surf world and by HELPING him support surfing in Bangladesh they would be increasing economic opportunity for local business. It is difficult to know what long term effect our efforts and the ongoing work of Surfing the Nations will have for these brave young surfers, but for now they have some renewed supplies and a little more cash in the account to do the good that they are trying to do. Love to all, Jim