Dr. Dave Jenkins of SurfAid International Recognized as Agent of Change Winner at 2009 Surfer Poll and Video Awards

Award will be Presented at the 2009 SURFER Poll and Video Awards Presented by American Suzuki and Ultimate Wave Tahiti; SurfAid International Named
Beneficiary of VIP Table Sales Proceeds

DANA POINT, Calif. (Aug. 21, 2009) – SURFER Magazine has named Dr. Dave Jenkins as the “Agent of Change” award recipient and SurfAid International, the organization he founded, as the beneficiary of proceeds from VIP table sales at this year’s SURFER Poll and Video Awards presented by American Suzuki and Ultimate Wave Tahiti. The award will be presented on Sept. 15th at the annual event that unites the worlds of sports, music, entertainment and philanthropy to honor the best in surfing.

The Agent of Change award honors a surfer who is making a difference for the betterment of the surfing community. Last year, Dave Rastovich received the first award for his work with Surfers for Cetaceans.

“We launched the Agent of Change award last year to help recognize and honor surfers who are making a difference,” said SURFER Editor In Chief, Joel Patterson. “Without a doubt, SurfAid International, led by Founder Dr. Dave Jenkins, is improving isolated areas that are particularly relevant to surfers. We are proud to honor Dr. Jenkins for his visionary leadership and give back to SurfAid International to help them continue improving the health and well being of both the people and the communities that are so important to the surfing community.”

In 1999, physician and surfer Dr Dave Jenkins went on a surf charter to the Mentawai Islands with one goal in mind: to find perfect waves. The surf proved to be everything he had hoped for. What he also found though were the Mentawai people, mostly women and children, suffering and dying from the ravages of malaria and other preventable diseases. Dave questioned what he was doing with his own life by pursuing personal career goals, and he found that he was unable to just walk away. It was a defining life moment. He sought support from like-minded individuals and went on to establish SurfAid International, a non-profit humanitarian organization dedicated to the alleviation of human suffering through community-based health programs.

Today SurfAid has expanded to encompass disaster preparedness, water and sanitation, and health programs in the Mentawai and Nias islands, off Indonesia’s Sumatran Coast. SurfAid’s main goal is to empower the island communities so as to foster sustainable health and resilience. With the support of the global surfing community, and the people of the Mentawai and Nias islands, SurfAid has come to exemplify the healing power of cross-cultural partnerships. For more information, visit: surfaidinternational.org

SurfAid also has an international Schools Program, which aims to develop global citizens using the humanitarian challenges and achievements of SurfAid as an example for action: schools.surfaidinternational.org

“It’s a great honor to receive this award on behalf of everyone who has helped SurfAid achieve so much in the last 10 years,” SurfAid CEO and Founder Dr Dave Jenkins, said. “It’s particularly cool to receive it from SURFER Magazine, whose heartfelt decision to cover our initial work sparked an immediate and lasting response from the surfing tribe and industry that embodies the core of who we are.”

In addition to the award, the SurfAid International organization will receive proceeds from the sale of VIP tables at the event. SURFER is selling the tables to companies within the surf industry for $2,000 each for a table of 10 within the premiere seating area. So far, industry support has come from a plethora of sources including: Bubble Gum Surf Wax, Channel Islands, DC, Hurley, Rusty, Sanuk and Volcom, to name a few, and tables are still available.

The 37th annual SURFER Poll and Video Awards presented by American Suzuki and Ultimate Wave Tahiti will be held on Tues., Sept. 15, 2009 at The Grove of Anaheim. Attendance is by invitation only, but the event will be Web cast live at surferpoll.com

Special thanks to the sponsors of the 2009 SURFER Poll and Video Awards: American Suzuki, Ultimate Wave Tahiti, Red Bull, Sponsorme.com, Coors, New Era and FUEL TV. Additional thanks to the VIP table donors whose donations will benefit SurfAid International.

About SurfAid International
SurfAid International is a non-profit humanitarian organization whose aim is to improve the health, wellbeing and self-reliance of people living in isolated regions connected to us through surfing. To learn more, please visit: surfaidinternational.org

About SURFER Magazine
Upon its inception in 1960, SURFER Magazine brought a unity of voice and vision to an otherwise niche and fragmented sport. Today, the original surf publication is widely recognized as the “Bible of the Sport” and the driving force in the surf world, reaching more surfers worldwide than any other surf magazine. SURFER is part of Source Interlink’s Action Sports Group (ASG) that reaches more than 2 million action sports enthusiasts through an integrated network of magazines, online properties, events, and television programming.

About American Suzuki Motor Corporation
The Brea, Calif.,-based Operations of American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC) was founded in 1963 by parent company Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) and currently markets its vehicles in the United States through a network of approximately 400 automotive dealerships and numerous other motorcycle, ATV and marine distributors in 49 states. With global headquarters in Hamamatsu, Japan, SMC is a diversified worldwide automobile, motorcycle, and outboard motor manufacturer. In 2008, SMC sold more than 2 million new cars and trucks and more than 3.5 million motorcycles and ATVs. Founded in 1909 and incorporated in 1920, SMC has operations in 196 countries and regions. For more information, visit media.suzuki.com.

About Ultimate Wave Tahiti
Ultimate Wave Tahiti, featuring Kelly Slater, will premiere next February. It is the first 3D film produced and distributed for IMAX® and other Giant Screen Theaters to focus on surfing and the unique waves that travel thousands of miles, eventually making it all the way to Teahupoo. Together with Tahitian Raimana Van Bastolaer, Slater will treat movie-goers to a blend of sport, ocean science, and cultural history that will both enthrall and fascinate. Award-winning director, Stephen Low, brings a never-before-seen filming technique to the giant screen, opening eyes to the beauty and intensity of some of the world’s most powerful of waves. Ultimate Wave Tahiti, which will be released worldwide to IMAX and other giant screen and digital theaters in 3D and 2D, is produced by The Stephen Low Company and executive produced by K2 Communications, Inc. and presented by Suzuki, with supporting partnerships from Tahiti Tourism North America and Quiksilver. (IMAX® is a registered trademark of IMAX Corporation.)