Lost surfboard in Hawaii drifts to Philippine island, surfer sets up GoFundMe for Filipino finder

  MANILA – Surfer and professional photographer Doug Falter couldn’t believe his luck after finding out that his custom-made surfboard, which he lost while surfing in Hawaii more than two years ago, has ended up in the Philippines. Now Falter has set up a GoFundMe page to send a care package to the finder: a teacher on the island of Sarangani, hometown of Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao. Giovanne Branzuela, a school teacher, bought the surfboard for 2,000 pesos (Dh153) from his neighbor, who got it from fishermen who found the board floating at sea. As of Tuesday (September 22), the GoFundMe page has raised $2,190 in funds, more than four times Falter’s goal of $500. “I want to raise enough money to send him a package with a bunch of wax, a surf leash or two and maybe some rash guards. I also want to send a bunch of magazines from the US so he can give them to the students to learn how to read English,” Falter said. “The island he lives on doesn't have stores that sell anything surf related or even surf wax for that matter,” he added. “Knowing that my board has fallen into the hands of a man who wants to learn the sport gives me joy and closure at the same time,” Falter said. The pale blue custom-shaped board had disappeared when a big wave wiped out Falter on the Hawaiian island of O’ahu. The surfboard appeared to have drifted more than 8,000 kilometres away in the southern Philippines. Fishermen had found it floating in the sea in August 2018, six months after Falter lost it. Communicating on Facebook, Branzuela had assured Falter he is happy to give him the surfboard. Falter said he wants to give Branzuela a beginner’s surfboard in exchange. In the meantime, he is happy to raise funds to send supplies to Branzuela. “I figure at the very least if I can raise a little money to help the new owner of my board and send his students some reading material it will help him out and spread the word about surfing all the way to this tiny island in the Philippines,” Falter said. “Who knows... Maybe one day I could go and teach him!” he added. ICA/Expat Media
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