Surfero Canario

Jose Luciano Casillas Dorta, once one of Europe's best surfers, has an amazing story thanks to God's grace and some advice from Tom Curren.

Check out his inspiring testimony:
 
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FLUX Longboard Movie

Andy Carruthers has done a great job producing his first surf movie with a range of surfers from 18 to 60 surfing all types of boards from logs to fishes to alaias in the crisp, clear waves of New Zealand. The film is beautifully and artistically shot with its theme of how surfing allows for a broad range of belonging regardless of age, sex, equipment or proficiency. The Christian theme is subtle in Flux with more detail in 'Going Deeper' in the extras. FLUX is premiering through Australia in July.

Contact Andy for details. http://www.fluxthemovie.com



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European Leaders Gathering

May 18-20 saw 30 leaders from 7 nations travel to Biarritz, France for the 7th annual European Leaders Gathering. We were stoked to welcome 5 excited Germans who surf the river wave in Munich. Phil Williams was also stoked to see Chelsea defeat Munich in the European Cup and celebrated 10 years of full-time ministry with CSUK. Special highlights of reports from around Europe included a joint Basque/Irish outreach, Morocco challenges, the Spanish movement, Portuguese media coverage and the upcoming 20th Jesus Surf Classic in UK. We didn't get any sun or waves but were blessed with great company! Special thanks to our French host Christophe Parenty for facilitating it all. Check out some photos from the conference on our Facebook Page.



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Ecuador Surf Camp

About 30 guys and girls from CS Ecuador headed south to the world class waves of Lobitos, Peru in late May for a surf camp with daily Bible studies and opportunities to share the gospel with their friends. Headed by national leader Jorge Edgecombe, he was stoked to have CS Peru send their national leader Tonito, along with perennial man-grommet Muelas and his wife Silvana. "It's great to see how our missions can join together to support one another," said Jorge. Lobitos has a long history of connection with CS Peru, who have assisted in service to many poorer children in the area.


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South Africa National Conference

Held 27-29 April over 80 surfers and skaters converged on Jeffrey's Bay and camped out with meetings under a big top tent. It was great to hear guest speakers Gill and Brett Davis as well as Son Skate National Director Bradley Jones. A special report from Rehgert and Vanessa Van Zyl on the Aleph Surf development program was given, with opportunity to perform community service each afternoon. The interns did a great job helping out with Stephanie Zemke, the wonder woman, organising it all. More interns are being sought with a July intake: www.christiansurfers.co.za/CSALT. Roy Harley was surprised with a gift for his 20 years of service pioneering CS in the nation. Well done Roy!

Watch a recap video from the conference here: http://vimeo.com/41302061

 
Christian Surfers South Africa Conference 2012


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Aussie Easter Gathering

This year's annual CS Australia National Gathering was held on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland with RC Jono Bailey and team doing an awesome job organising 200 leaders to be inspired, taught and strategised. A real highlight was the Saturday night local outreach under the stars with bands and the movie premiere of 'Living on Cloud Nine' a story of local CS grommets heading to the Philippines to visit Compassion sponsor children. Over 1000 people turned out in perfect weather. An Easter Sunday dawn service had over 120 paddle out to form a cross and testify to the community that Jesus had risen. Check out some great teaching from the conference at http://cswavemakers.wordpress.com.





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Hawaiian Season

A short-term missions team from Brazil, Peru, the Canary Islands, Australia and Japan joined with North Shore churches for a low key mission to the visiting surfers.

Andy Carruthers from Australia worked with Eric Arakawa and says, "The mission team worked together well, praying each weekday morning at Waimea Bay, then heading out to the surf spots, contests and hangouts to connect with people of their own cultures. We were stoked to see many from the local churches connect with us as well and say how they were inspired to rediscover the world mission opportunity that comes to their shores each winter."

Pecas and Muelas report that they gave out many Spanish and French Surfers Bibles and led a couple of surfers to Christ.

Ken and Satoshi similarly befriended many Japanese exchanging details and passing on gospel material.

Brazilian Sergio and his wife Carly were also inspired, making connections with Brazilians and launching their surf school project to impact the local North Shore area.

We hope to offer a longer term outreach in conjunction with the 2012 International Conference from November 9 to Christmas.

If you have a heart for befriending travelling surfers and sharing the gospel with them and could do it for up to 6 weeks next year please contact us.


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Vanuatu Beginnings

Pacific Regional Coordinator Gordy Webb has just returned from his second visit to Vanuatu. He was delighted to discover that his first visit, which introduced him to many surfers and sowed the notion of a surf ministry, has continued to grow and an indigenous leadership team is emerging. While there he and his wife Jean engaged in a beach clean up and held some surfing lessons, while also instructing the locals on how to give surfing lessons. Gordy was also able to teach the CS Foundations Training course at the local church.


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Philippines Mission Trip

Queensland CS leader Jordan Merry took four 16 year olds on a surf trip combined with a visit to Compassion ministries in the Philippines. "We saw 8-10 people in a family, living in a little shack," Jordan said. "It felt hopeless, but they were happy and appreciated what they had. It really lifted our spirits to see them happy." Jordan said the home visits had had a life-changing impact on the young surfers. "The boys learnt to really appreciate what they have," he said. A great example of a holiday with purpose. More details and a blog from the trip can be found at http://destinationcloudnine.tumblr.com/.


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Africa Developments

Roy Harley reports, "The Surfers Bibles finally made it to Liberia and have been used by a missionary there with the small surf community. Super stoked about the church plant in Mauritius by a missionary family who all surf! Reunion will need prayer as Sean Regan feels his time has come to an end there. Morocco continues to face many challenges, keep praying for Mark and family. We are stoked to have 6 new interns starting tomorrow for our new look 5-month internship program!" Check out the new look Christian Surfers South Africa website and make sure to keep up with the "When a Surfer Gets Saved" series!

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