Global Surfing Community Bands Together To Help SA Surfer
An overwhelming outpouring of support has flooded in for South Africa’s top female surfer Heather Clarke. The reigning International Surfing Association (ISA) world master’s surfing champ sustained serious injuries following a car crash near her home in Port Shepstone last October.
With the surfer and her family facing mounting medical costs, and with Heather’s loss of income due to the accident and the lengthy recovery process taking her out of commission from her other job as swimming instructor and surfing coach, it didn’t take long for members of the global surfing community (and their friends and supporters) to jump into action and find ways to help.
From virtual calls for donations on the web, to a recent fundraiser in Bournemouth in the UK, the support has been amazing.
Heather and her family have expressed their gratitude in a letter that was published on Surfline.com today:
“Heather and her family are very touched by the awesome love and support shown by everyone all over the world. A huge thank you to all of you who have contributed towards the fund – thank you so much!
The hospital costs are already quite formidable and they require most of the costs upfront which is a daunting prospect for the family. Heather was also supposed to have started her swimming school next week and now will not be able to do so, which means a loss of income for her. Please help where you can and spread the word – every little bit, no matter how insignificant you might think it would be, WILL help. Your contributions despite the economic recession mean a great deal to Heather and her family.”
If you would like to help by contributing to the JettyGirl Benefit for Heather Clarke, you can do so by going here.
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SA Surf Champ Injured In Car Crash
South African surfer Heather Clarke, who is the reigning International Surfing Association (ISA) world masters surfing champion, has been hospitalised after being injured in a car crash near her home in Port Shepstone, KwaZulu-Natal last night (October 22).
According to her mom, Dawn Clark, an alleged drunk driver hit Heather’s car so hard that it was smashed into two pieces.
“At this stage we are not sure the full extent of her injuries or how it will impact on her surfing career in the long term,” IOL.co.za quoted Dawn as saying. “[She] is currently undergoing numerous scans and X-rays [at] the Hibiscus Private Hospital, in Port Shepstone, to determine the degree of her injuries. She has already had 22 stitches to her head. She is conscious, in a lot of pain, but is trying to stay upbeat.”
The alleged drunk driver was arrested after the incident and spent the night in jail.
Global Surf News reports that Heather has no medical aid. They’re urging anyone who is able and wants to help her with the huge medical costs to contact Surfing Souh Africa at surfingsouthafrica@gmail.com
Heather has been surfing professionally for 12 years. She is the only South African surfer to have won the prestigious Triple Crown of Surfing in Hawaii.
Good luck, girl. We wish you a swift and complete recovery!
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