Gary Young - Eco-Surfboard Pioneer
Donation protected
I am writing to you as a good friend of Gary Young , a pioneer in the surf industry. I would like to ask you for your support.
Gary lives and work on the Big Island of Hawaii, close to Kilaeua. He has lived for the last few weeks, seeing the new lava glowing at night and is surrounded by old lava flows, reminding him that this place has been inundated before. The anxiety and stress of this has been significant. Each day, there was the possibility that neither his home or workshop will survive: his workshop is his livelihood. At the end of May, Gary evacuated as the lava moved close and then cut off all access to his home and workshop. We dont know at this stage if anything will survive but as of now his workshop is gone.
For the last 43 years, Gary has pioneered the creation of environmental surf products and particularly wooden surfboards that challenge the belief that you need to use fiberglass. He is legendary in the industry.
With the current volcanic crisis, Gary's world has been turned upside down. His ability to work in this period of uncertainty is low. Orders for surf boards have disappeared - and this is how he makes his living.
Gary has never reached out in this way before, in spite of previous crises. He is fiercely independent. But, if there was ever a time when Gary needed the support of family, friends and others, it is now. Gary has been touched by the way in which friends on the island have surrounded him with support and care over the last few weeks as he considers evacuation. And his gratitude for your support now, of a different nature, will be equally large.
The funds will be used immediately to support Gary in re-building his workshop, and continuing to purchase supplies so that he can manufacture boards and handplanes. The funds will be used to ensure that this unique artist and scientist can continue to work through a major crisis and continue to change the surf industry.
Gary lives and work on the Big Island of Hawaii, close to Kilaeua. He has lived for the last few weeks, seeing the new lava glowing at night and is surrounded by old lava flows, reminding him that this place has been inundated before. The anxiety and stress of this has been significant. Each day, there was the possibility that neither his home or workshop will survive: his workshop is his livelihood. At the end of May, Gary evacuated as the lava moved close and then cut off all access to his home and workshop. We dont know at this stage if anything will survive but as of now his workshop is gone.
For the last 43 years, Gary has pioneered the creation of environmental surf products and particularly wooden surfboards that challenge the belief that you need to use fiberglass. He is legendary in the industry.
With the current volcanic crisis, Gary's world has been turned upside down. His ability to work in this period of uncertainty is low. Orders for surf boards have disappeared - and this is how he makes his living.
Gary has never reached out in this way before, in spite of previous crises. He is fiercely independent. But, if there was ever a time when Gary needed the support of family, friends and others, it is now. Gary has been touched by the way in which friends on the island have surrounded him with support and care over the last few weeks as he considers evacuation. And his gratitude for your support now, of a different nature, will be equally large.
The funds will be used immediately to support Gary in re-building his workshop, and continuing to purchase supplies so that he can manufacture boards and handplanes. The funds will be used to ensure that this unique artist and scientist can continue to work through a major crisis and continue to change the surf industry.
Organizer
Pippa Rowcliffe
Organizer
