A group of Central Coast female surfers are surfing every day during February to raise money for cancer research at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse.
Rain or shine, the Kook Warriors team members are surfing every day at beaches from Avoca to Umina.
Friends, family and strangers are reaching into their pockets to donate money to the cause, which can be made online at the SurFebruary webpage under the name Kook Warriors.
Cancer survivor and team member Vanessa Hession said she had been looking for a way to raise money and awareness after her own life-changing cancer journey.
“SurFebruary has been such a great way to combine my love of the ocean and raise money for cancer research at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse,” she said.
“With support from a small number of close friends we started a team in 2022.
“Since then it has grown with an amazing group of surfers who have also become friends.
“We hope to continue to grow this annual event on the Coast and raise more and more awareness and of course money.”
Sal Oman, owner of Sal’s Surf School at Umina Beach, has sponsored the Kook Warriors crew, joined the team and is helping to spread the word throughout the community.
By wearing the SurFebruary rashie throughout February in all lessons, Oman hopes to bring awareness and support to the local community for a disease that will affect one in two people during their lifetime.
On February 18 and 25, the Kook Warriors are asking the community to join them at 4pm at Umina Beach to paddle out, catch some waves, and raise more money for SurFebruary.
Link to the donation page here: https://www.surfebruary.com/fundraisers/KookWarriors
Almost 100 teams of surfers from all over Australia are involved in the 2024 initiative.