When big-wave surfer Greg Long got a first-hand glimpse of the coastal region of Chile, he was heartbroken.

Here was a land he had become so fond of, not just because of the world-class waves, but also because of the kind-hearted people he’s encountered on his many trips to the coastal regions.

But after the 8.8 earthquake hit late February, and a tsunami crashed upon the shore, structures and buildings were wiped out, like they had never existed. Schools crumbled and collapsed. Hundreds of thousands were without homes.

“They are such beautiful people, who have always lived such simple, happy lives,” said Long. “And in a matter of moments, their lives have been turned upside down. It was a very humbling experience.”

Long – along with good friend and Chilean native Ramon Navarro and fellow surfer Kohl Christensen – met with the nonprofit organization Save the Waves with a mission: To bring clean water to those in need.

In their bags, Long and crew had oversized bags filled with water purification systems, small ceramic balls with spigots that can be easily placed into paint buckets, filters they obtained from Laguna Beach surfer and friend Jon Rose’s organization Waves for Water.

Greg Long creates a water purifier in Chile. Photo courtesy of Philip Muller.

If you recall previous stories I’ve written, Rose was near Sumatra when a 7.9 earthquake hit last September. He rushed to the crumbled city with 10 filters he had in a bag – in the early hours before international relief had even showed up – to get clean water to the Red Cross.

Shortly after, the disaster in Haiti hit. Rose soon found himself in Haiti with financial backing from actor Sean Penn, who funded an effort to bring 4,000 of the ceramic filters to Haiti, providing clean water for about 40,000 people.

So when the Chile earthquake happened, Rose was quick to connect with Save the Waves – already involved in the relief effort. Unable to go himself because of a broken foot, he sent about 1,000 filters down with Long and other surfers hoping to help.
What if a large group of people – say surfers, for example – united for a common purpose, like bringing clean water to less-fortunate regions?

“I think surfers in general are extremely compassionate,” Rose said. “The majority of them want to help – they just don’t know how. This provides a platform for them to help.”

Rose has seen how people have stepped up, whether they be famous or just a few friends going on a trip to a third-world land.

“When I saw images of Greg and all those guys down there building filters, I got chicken skin,” he said. “If we’re professional surfers, and we are in the spot light, it’s our obligation to spread that story so the masses can help make that difference.”

Rose has some big plans in the works. He hopes to get clean water to everyone in Haiti – because if that can be done, it can be used as an example all over the world. These water filters can purify a gallon an hour, and has a lifespan of three years. Each one can give clean water to 20 people.

Jon Rose, of Waves For Water, bringing clean water to Haiti

“It will never be solved while I’m around. This problem is pretty infinite,” he said. “But at least we’ll be able to create something that lives on.”

It was reported by surf industry Web site shop-eat-surf.com that Hurley has plans to team up with Rose’s Waves for Water program. Having a surf company like Hurley involved in future projects could be huge for the initiative.

Meanwhile, there’s much that still needs to be done down in Chile. While phase one of providing filters to hard-hit areas is complete, phase two of helping to rebuilt infrastructure is still in the works. Long hopes to keep the momentum going, with plans to help coordinate a charity event to coincide with the Quiksilver Punta De Lobas big-wave contest, which started its waiting period on April 1.

“It’s an ongoing effort and it will continue to be,” Long said. “There’s still a lot of work to be done.”

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