Introduction

Hello, my name is Ivo. I am a Surf Coach, and a Beach Lifeguard. On May 17 this year, I will be participating the ROADFORD LAKE TRIATHLON, in the Olympic Distance (1.5km swim, 46km bike, and 10.5km run). What got me started as 'just to have a fitness goal for the upcoming lifeguard season' has developed into adding a fundraising goal for my own social enterprise in surfing.

Surfing

Since the summer of 2017, surfing has changed my life and I still embrace that fact every day. It is a spiritual practice, a beautiful art form, and a sport that keeps fascinating me. From the warm sandy beaches of the Souss-Massa region in Morocco, to the rocky outcrops of North Devon and North Cornwall in the United Kingdom, and many beaches far beyond, everywhere I go, I feel lucky to have surfing in my life. It helps me to feel connected to nature, myself, and make beautiful connections to people and land wherever I am.

SACKED Surf Tour

In 2021, I started SACKED Surf Tour, a way to keep surfing, spread the knowledge and the stoke! (...which in this context means 'an absolute electric feeling of joy, energy and aliveness..') It is my vehicle to exchange with the world around me, wherein I combine surf coaching, yoga teaching and tour guiding. This vehicle has been registered in the UK as a LTD company, and I have also been able to do several trips in Morocco. In 2024, due to several factors of which the upkeep of administration, and paying corporation tax played a major role, it was put to sleep into the archives of the Companies House administration.

The SACKED Project

Now a dormant company, but still alive online and in spirit, it is looking to wake up. Like a caterpillar completely dissolves in its cocoon, and morphs into a new being 'the butterfly', SACKED aspires to morph into something new, and take on the form of a Social Enterprise (SEUK), or CIC (Community Interest Company).

When thinking of the 'reason d'existence' of this vehicle, I came to the conclusion I had to take the name seriously. As I once lost my job in 2017, and found joy and fulfilment in surfing, I now like to help people who lost their job, or are plotting new paths in life, by the aid of learning to surf, to break the cycle and get inspired again. I have found a surf school owner in the area who is enthusiastic about this idea, and is willing to help me out. Read more here.

How the funds will be used

With your donation, the following investments will be made:

1. Set up a SEUK or CIC

2. Buy some branded gear, stickers and leaflets, get the name out there and attract people

3. Pay for coaches and assistant coaches, surf boards and wetsuits use

The triathlon

The race I will participate in revolves around a lake, a man made reservoir in Devon. It will be my first triathlon ever. I have been training most of the winter, and am currently on a 10hr/week training schedule. I don't just want to participate, I want to do my very best. Over the course of the last two months, I will update my network with my progress on social media and the website.

Thank you so much for reading, and for donating to the cause of getting SACKED, and go SURFING! :D

Ivo