Paige Hareb, in and out of the water. Photos: ASP/Kristin, ASP/Damien Poullenot
A little while ago, I watched a video where someone said “there is no community on earth like the surfing community.” I don’t remember who said it, or what video it was, but it struck a chord with me. And it has probably struck a chord with Paige Hareb, as well.
Recently, a crowdfunding website called Sportfunder helped raise over NZ$16,000 to help Hareb continue on the winding road that is the ASP World Tour. After struggling to find enough money from sponsors to fund her 2013 campaign, Hareb turned to Sportfunder and received donations from all over the world, including Japan, the United States, and Australia. Although Hareb only reached just over half of her $30,000 goal, nearly all of her supporters chose to donate rather than pledge. That means that even though she didn’t reach her goal, she receives the donations.
Currently ranked 10th on the Women’s Tour, Hareb won US$48,000 during 2012. It may seem like a lot, but when you consider the costs of traveling to Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, France, and the US all in one year, it simply doesn’t add up. She was facing withdrawing from the Tour.
It’s true, there is no community on earth like the surfing community. Bravo, surfing community.
