The 29th September is the second anniversary of the Samoan tsunami, a disaster that claimed many lives in the small island nation. Shortly after the event a group of Australian surfers went to Samoa to assist in the rebuilding process. They received no government or corporate help, but did it on their own.

From that first trip Groundswell was built and a strong alliance was formed between the Samoan people, in particular, Joe Annandale the Chief of Poutasi Village which was destroyed in the tsunami. In 2010 and 2011 the Surf Travel Company, Formula Energy Surfboards and the NRL, through Nigel Vagana, helped Groundswell send teams to Samoa. They would like to continue the projects they started and are raising the funds to make it possible.

On the 24th September a small team of surfers on boards will join outrigger crews to paddle across Sydney Heads, from the Quarantine Station to Rose Bay. In the outriggers will be many Polynesian NRL players such as Nigel Vagana, Frank Pritchard and Roy Asostasi, as well as Jay La'agaia, Stephen Peacocke and Renee Gartner.

Groundswell is trying to raise money via public donation. 100% of the moneys raised will go towards sending another group of people to Samoa to assist in its rebuilding. Those people who donate or sponsor a paddler for $100 or more whose details are provided to us will be put into a draw to win a 5 day stay for 2 people in a garden fale at Sinalei Resort, Samoa.

Click here to make a direct deposit into the bank account held in trust for the event.

Click here to visit the Groundswell website and find out more information.