Surfers’ Safari to Benefit the Spine-Injured

After riding 1,010 waves in an eight-day marathon along the California coast, professional surfers James Pribram of Laguna Beach and Seth Elmer of Carlsbad figure they’ve raised more than $15,000 for surfers who have suffered spinal-cord injuries.

They began their trip Aug. 25, hitting 60 spots from San Diego to San Francisco, said Pribram, co-founder of They Will Surf Again.

At San Francisco’s Ocean Beach on Friday, the trip’s last day, they each rode 150 waves in 4 1/2 hours to reach their goal, a combined 1,000 waves.

“It was raining and windy and miserable,” said Pribram, 29, back home in Laguna Beach.

Along the way, they met with four surfers who had suffered severe back injuries from the grueling, sometimes dangerous sport.

“It was a true inspiration to talk to these people,” said Elmer, 28. “Part of the therapy those who can’t surf need . . . is hope.”

Elmer and Pribram started the nonprofit They Will Surf Again after meeting Bob Dancey, a 45-year-old Oceanside man who broke his neck and was paralyzed in a March surfing accident.

They plan to donate the money to pay for patients’ medical bills and spinal-cord injury research. They haven’t totaled the donations yet, but say they have pledges exceeding $15,000.

Elmer is hoping their effort inspires athletes in other sports, such as skateboarding, snowboarding, mountain biking and motocross.

“These injuries happen in other sports as well,” Elmer said.

For more information, call Richard Yelland at (310) 745-1039. Donations may be sent to They Will Surf Again, 6677 Paseo del Norte, Suite A, Carlsbad, CA 92009.