"The local community in Teahupo’o lost their houses, their cars, some lost everything."

Yeah, you saw those Code Red big-wave histrionics at Teahupoo yesterday, hot sun pouring onto the broad brown backs of myriad maniacs being towed into giant holes? 

Today was a little different, a low pressure system off the south-west of Tahiti bringing the worst rains in almost twenty years, although not global warming related according to a Meteo-France scientist (“It is not climate change related, we have entered the winter season.”)

With those wild rains came flash flooding down there at Teahupoo where houses are built atop rock walls along the ocean. If you’ve been to the end of the road you’ll know it ain’t Malibu, just family owned homesteads, brick, sometimes clapboard houses divvied up into little rooms for paying guests.

And the results have been catastrophic.

“Sending my love and hoping the best for everyone at Teahupoo,” wrote two-time world champ John John Florence. “It’s one my favorite places in the world and very special to the surfing community. They had some serious flash flooding and there is a lot of damage. There is a link to donate in my story.”

Unlike most beachfront places in the world, if you go to Teahupoo you’ll be treated like a king, or queen, and y’won’t be screwed for every last damn dollar. Good people.

(Hello to Mammy and Pappy Tevas!)

“The local community in Teahupo’o lost their houses, their cars, some lost everything,” writes local Hina Moon. “We need your help to buy water, food or anything to help our village.”

 

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"He put his life on the line promoting the brand”

The British big-wave surfer Tom Lowe remains in a Papeete hospital following a catastrophic wipeout at Teahupoo, that dirty big hole at the literal end of the road on the island of Tahiti.

Lowe, who is twenty-nine, was pitched on the takeoff, busting six ribs and puncturing a lung in the subsequent collision with the famous reef.

The wildly talented Lowe, from the Cornish beachside hamlet of St Ives, has long been a stand-out at Irish big waves Aileens and Mullaghmore, as well as at Jaws on Maui, Mavs in California and at Mexico’s Puerto Escondido.

Our source tells us Tahitian authorities won’t let him leave French Polynesia until all his bills, totalling thirty gees, are paid. Now Lowe, who is on a retainer of a rumoured one thousand dollars a month at Vans and hence broke as hell after slinging ten gees at chasing this swell, is a little stuck after his medical insurance said they won’t pay up.

And, so, fellow big-wave legend Greg Long has put out a call for cash to get his pal fixed up and off the island.

During the recent monumental swell at Teahupoo, Tahiti, Tom endured a bad wipeout. His resulting injuries from hitting the reef required he be airlifted to the hospital where he underwent multiple emergency surgeries. He is currently in stable condition but will need to remain under close watch in the hospital for the coming days.

Unfortunately, Tom’s travel insurance will not cover his medical treatment, so we are seeking the kindness and generosity of Tom’s global surf family, friends and compassion of the community, to help assist with his ongoing medical expenses.

Anyone who has ever met Tom knows him as a humble, kind and talented surfer who is a dedicated family man to his wife Tess, daughter Tigerlilly and soon-to-be baby-on-the-way.

Tom has a long road ahead, but true to his nature, he is positive, in a fighting spirit.

Tom and his family extend their heartfelt gratitude for all the love and support during their time of need.

 

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Fans were quick to light up on Vans, the multi-billion dollar shoe empire owned by VF Corp, a behemoth in rude fiscal health that owns fifty percent of the US backpack market via its brands North Face, Timberland, Eastpak and JanSport.

How are the brand sponsors of the biggest names in big wave surfing not providing comprehensive medical insurance for this incredibly dangerous game they’re playing? Serious question.

The UFC provides health insurance that is better than all of the major four pro sports, which also does. I’m pretty sure Vans can afford a hospital stay.

reflects pretty poorly on endemic brands that they won’t cover medical expenses for chargers who are responsible for brand identity and ultimately dollars…

@vans @vanssurf should pay the bill.

Why does @vans not give this man proper health insurance or foot the bill? He put his life on the line and does a damn good job of promoting the brand.

And, pointedly,

So Corporate puppets who only care about revenue, profit, and increasing the stock price, encourage their contract surfers to engage in extremely life risking activities in order to acquire attention to sell product, yet when that surfer gets extremely hurt from doing those life risking activities, from their seat on their private plane, “Fuck you! You’re on your own.” is their response. Got it.

So far eight-and-a-half gees from the thirty needed has been raised.

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