Column: Joe Surf: Donate boards and gear to Bangladeshi surfers

I went onto surfline.com and searched, and searched, and searched. But I couldn’t find it anywhere.

There’s a little surf spot off the coast of Bangladesh, a place at which you’ll never have to worry about someone snaking your wave. The waves aren’t great, and the water seems to be a bit murky, but to those who surf it, it might as well be the North Shore of Oahu.

A small coastal town called Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh has gotten bitten by the surfing bug. According to an article that ran in the Los Angeles Times a year ago, the popularity of surfing in this part of the world isn’t exactly exploding, except for a small group of kids that is growing ever so slowly.

It seems an Australian left his board there in the 1990s and some of the local boys tried it out. Then in 2008, a young man named Rashad Alam helped start a surf club.

Even now, almost 10 years later, finding a board is more difficult than finding a wave. It’s not like they can run over to HSS or Jacks or find a used board on Craigslist.

And that’s where Greg Cernok enters the picture. Cernok is a local who grew up surfing Orange County beaches, and when he saw that Times article last year, it inspired him and a few friends to start The Pelican Crew. The Pelican Crew is a nonprofit run by Cernok, John Crispo, Kelly McKendree and Angie Christides.

“Something about the way the article was written spoke to me to act,” Cernok said. “I grew up locally and had the privilege of doing the junior lifeguard program, surfing, snorkeling and bodysurfing. The ocean has been a complete blessing to me, and I am so lucky to live in such a beautiful area.

“In the article I saw an opportunity for kids to have a similar privilege, even if it was for an hour a day surfing and enjoying the waves. Their hardships are incredible, yet they may have the opportunity to experience the same joy of surfing.”

The Pelican Crew has done beach cleanups and donated surf gear before, but now they’re stepping it up. This Saturday, from 3 to 7 p.m. at Brix Sunset Beach, The Pelican Crew will hold a fundraiser where they will accept donated surfboards, surf gear and monetary donations, which will help fund the shipping of equipment. Brix will donate 15% of its profits Saturday to the fundraiser.

Huntington Beach shaper Tim Stamps, who shapes boards for a number of pros like Brett Simpson and Courtney Conlogue, is donating boards, as is Harbour Surfboards in Seal Beach.

“Tim Stamps and Harbour Surfboards have been awesome,” Cernok said. “With respect to Tim, I had contacted him last year and explained what our goals were. He immediately acted and donated seven surfboards, which are now used by the surf club in Bangladesh.

“I contacted him again this year and, with no hesitation, he provided additional boards, fins and stickers. He has been supportive and receptive to helping in any way that he can. His impact is immeasurable for the kids in Bangladesh. Robert (Howson) at Harbour Surfboards was also supportive helping with boards, board bags, leashes, etc.”

Currently the Bangladesh Girls and Boys Surf Club has eight girls and five boys, and one of the requirements of participation in the surf club is that the kids go to school and attend tutoring and lifesaving classes. Part of the monetary donations from the fundraiser will help fund the kids’ education.

Cernok knows, though, that he doesn’t have to go halfway around the world to help.

“We plan to look closer to home,” he said. “In addition to helping the kids in Bangladesh, The Pelican Crew is going to transition helping local kids to have access to the ocean through surf lessons, beach cleanups and education.”

If you have a board or surf item to donate but can’t make it to the event on Saturday, shoot them an email at info@pelicancrew.org to arrange a time when the item can be picked up.

The Young and the Brave

Speaking of fundraisers, 17-year-old Newport Beach surfer Tyler Gunter and his sponsor RVCA put on The Young and Brave charity surf contest Saturday at 54th Street in Newport, with funds raised going to help children with cancer.

Gunter’s friend and fellow surfer Nathaniel Curren is the co-founder of The Young and Brave Foundation.

“I found out about the foundation, and they wanted to make me one of their advocates,” said Gunter, who surfs on the World Surf League’s Junior Tour. “I was super down to help kids with cancer, then we all came up with this idea to do a contest to help to raise money.”

It’s the fourth year Gunter has presented the contest, and it continues to grow. There were nearly 100 competitors of all ages in this year’s event, which was supported by Jacks Surfboards and Banzai Bowls.

“I was 14 the first year, and I had no idea what I was doing,” Gunter said. “The first year we had a lot of people coming to the beach to sign up, and this year we had it maxed out two days before the event started with online signups. Definitely looking to expand next year and do a two-day event and get more people in.”

To donate to The Young and Brave, go to tylergunter.com.

Big Wave Awards

Big waves are coming to Huntington Beach.

No, there isn’t a storm out there on the Pacific about to bring a big swell to our coastline. Rather, it’s the World Surf League’s Big Wave Awards, an annual event that honors those brave/crazy enough to take on the monsters.

The categories that will awarded include the Billabong Ride of the Year, the Biggest Paddle, the TAG Heuer XXL Biggest Wave, the Best Tube, the TAG Heuer Wipeout, and men’s and women’s performance.

The awards show will be held Saturday at the Pasea Hotel and Spa in Huntington.

JOE HAAKENSON is a Huntington Beach-based sports writer and editor. He may be reached at joe@juvecreative.com.