O’Neill the original surf, snow and lifestyle brand launches their second online film featuring professional surfer Jordy Smith (Currently ranked #10 within the 2014 WCT rankings). This film explores the tough circumstances for many underprivileged children within Durban, South Africa and how surfing can indeed play a key role in helping to turn lives around.
Can surfing change lives?
Jordy Smith knows it can. The new O’Neill film Today Is Perfect explores the inspiring work of Surfers Not Street Children. An organization close to Jordy’s heart that helps street kids from his home town of Durban make good choices and get off the streets through the common love of riding waves.
“The Surfers Not Street Children program is one of the best I’ve ever seen. It gets kids off the streets and gives them opportunities in their lives that they might not have had otherwise. You can succeed if you choose to. Sometimes it brings a tear to my eye,” – Jordy Smith, Team O’Neill professional surfer.
Echoing his sentiment, Doug Perkul the Chief Marketing Officer from O’Neill adds, “It is great to be able to make a difference. As a brand with surfing at the core of our DNA,
we are more than happy to support amazing initiatives such as this and of course Jordy’s work with this organization.”
Tom Hewitt – Founder Surfers Not Street Children: “We are really excited about the partnership with O’Neill and Jordy Smith. O’Neill has been supporting us since our inception and has been a tremendous encouragement to the team. Jordy is obviously a hero of the team and a great role model to them. Our goal is to the change the way that society perceives and treats street children around the world and to inspire other kids still on the streets to see their potential and opportunities available to them.
More information on Surfers Not Street Children here: http://tomhewitt.org/surfing/
About O’Neill:
O’Neill, the original California surf, snow and lifestyle brand, was founded in 1952 when a young man named Jack O’Neill took his unstoppable passion for surfing and used it to battle Mother Nature. Jack’s initial vision of producing functional and innovative board riding products continues to lie at the core of everything the company does. From the
first neoprene surf wetsuit and board leash to the world’s first stitchless board shorts. O’Neill will always be committed to growing its reputation as one of the world’s leading
youth lifestyle brands based on being the First Name in the water.
While many things have changed since those humble beginnings, Jack’s initial vision of producing functional and innovative board riding products continues to lie at the core of everything the company does. O’Neill’s core values — innovation in style and technology — have seen the brand devote itself wholeheartedly to the evolution of the action sports lifestyle. From the first ever neoprene wetsuit and leash, to the world’s first stitchless boardshorts and range of groundbreaking wearable electronics, O’Neill’s progressive spirit will always drive the company forward. Check out our full range of O’Neill Wetsuits at King of Watersports.Com
About Surfers Not Street Children:
Surfers Not Street Children is a surfing team with a difference, based in Durban, South Africa. All the team riders are former street children committed to inspiring other children still living on the streets around the world and changing the way that society perceives and treats street children. The team, most of whom were orphans transformed their lives through a fusion of surfing and psychosocial services. They live together in the team house, called the Surfhouse, near New Pier in Durban.