Malibu Adopts Mentawai Islands as Sister Surf Paradise

The City of Malibu is proud to announce its partnership with SurfAid, a nonprofit organization that aims to improve the health, wellbeing and self-reliance of people living in isolated regions around the world connected by the sport of surfing.

The partnership serves to promote and support SurfAid's humanitarian efforts in West Sumatra, Indonesia by adopting the Mentawai Islands as a Sister Surf Paradise.

"Both Malibu and the Mentawai Islands are iconic cradles of surfing culture that are faced with the duty of preserving their natural beauty," Malibu Mayor Lou La Monte said. "Given our shared values of environmental stewardship, public health, education and community, the City is pleased to endorse SurfAid's commitment to advancing these values in the islands of Western Indonesia."

With support from individuals, surfing organizations, corporations, leading philanthropic foundations and the governments of Australia and New Zealand, SurfAid conducts educational programs in nutrition, hygiene, healthy environments, disease prevention and emergency preparedness on the islands off West Sumatra.

The programs are vital to this isolated region, where poverty and natural disasters significantly contribute to high death rates. The Mentawai Islands are located on one of the world's most active earthquake zones, which can trigger devastating tsunamis. In 2010, a magnitude 7.7 earthquake actuated a tsunami that demolished several villages in the Mentawai and claimed more than 500 lives.

"By adopting the Mentawai Islands as a Sister Surf Paradise, the City of Malibu has demonstrated integrity and leadership that will help eradicate preventable suffering of the Mentawai people," said Dr. Dave Jenkins, founder and medical director of SurfAid. "What we will accomplish together will echo on for generations and exemplify the importance of local and global citizenship."

More information about SurfAid can be obtained by visiting its official website at www.surfaid.org.