Waves of Change: How two Surfer Girls transformed a simple idea into a community movement

by: Emma Bukowski (IG: @noseridersurf | Pinterest: @noseridersurfclub

In the heart of Indonesia's diverse surf breaks, nestled in the longboarders paradise of Lombok, two passionate surfers began a movement sparked from a simple idea.

Dana (Dancelightly) has been a familiar face on these shores for many years, fully immersed in the local community. It’s from Lombok that she organizes and hosts surf retreats and it's from here with her connections to the community that she began developing ways to give back the locals that had welcomed her with open arms.

Alongside her, Emma, the creative force behind Noserider Surf Club. Another frequenter of Lombok’s glassy waves, Emma began designing eco-friendly surf suits for women in response to the plastic pollution prevalent in places like Bali.

Since Noserider’s inception, Emma has consistently sought ways to support Lombok's community, a commitment evident in the incorporation of puka shell bracelets crafted by local Lombok girls. These bracelets directly contribute to the school fees of these talented girls, symbolizing Emma's dedication to empowering the local youth to pursue education.

Together their shared love for the environment and riding waves led to giving back to the very community that helped nature their passion.

The spark that ignited this movement came from a local woman of Rebuk village. Observing Dana and Emma using reusable lunch boxes during a surf retreat, she remarked how these containers could improve the lives of the farmers in her community. This casual observation sowed the seeds for a project that would not only reduce plastic waste but also provide a cost-effective solution for the farmers.

 

The idea was surprisingly simple: selling one of a kind surf fins. The unique fins made by a local carver, each featured Batik print patterns from local sarongs and proved immensely popular with the girls collective audience. By channeling all profits and donations directly to the people of Rebuk, the girls aim to not only provide sustainable resources but also address urgent needs within the community.

In recent times, the rising cost of rice has left many families in Rebuk struggling to afford basic necessities. In response, the girls redirected some of their relief efforts, using donations to purchase large sacks of rice.

This rice became a lifeline for the village, helping feed families that would have otherwise gone without due to the economic challenges they faced. One of the distinctive features of this initiative lies in its ability to blend environmental consciousness with community support.

There are several ways to get involved with this impactful movement. Purchasing one of these decorative fins or making a donation, contributes to the purchase of essential resources for the Lombok community. As the waves continue to crash along the shores of Lombok, DanceLightly, Noserider Surf Club, and their supporters stand as a testament to the transformative power of a simple idea. Together they have created ripples of change that extend far beyond the shore.