Leaving More than a Footprint in the Sand

I thought this article was interesting... Leaving More than a Footprint in the Sand

“Exploring a foreign country improves our understanding of the world and adds some spice to the routine of daily life… but what if the mark you left on that country benefited a small village not found in any travel guide and the greatest souvenir you took home was the unmistakable feeling of being part of something larger than yourself?”- Timothy Gibb (Founder/Director Al-Campo)

As I walked along the cobblestone streets of San Juan del Sur on my way to a breakfast meeting with Tim Gibb, I was already wondering just how it was I would make the relevant connection between telling the story of his International Service Program, Al-Campo, with the sport of surfing. At the time of my introduction to Tim, I had yet to log much more than a month’s time in Nicaragua under my belt and was still wave-drunk and google-eyed by the world class surfing conditions into which I had been immersed. Tim informed me that surfing was definitely a part of of the experience the students who take part in his program receive, but there was also a much bigger picture and greater meaning to what Al-Campo is all about. Still, I thought, how will I make this relevant to the readers of an action sports website?

This took place a little over a month ago and 5ones Surf is now finishing up it’s 2nd month overall of production from Nicaragua. While still completely in love with and mesmerized by the stunning beauty and heavenly waves found in this country, as much as anything we have become cognizant of the dire need for the surf community to do more than just come and take what it is that Nicaragua so freely gives. http://5ones.com/leaving-more-than-a-footprint-in-the-sand-512/