US Open of Surfing/Living The Dream Foundation

Last weekend was the US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach, CA.  It was a huge event, with skateboarding, bmx, surfing, live music, and tons of industry stores, reps, booths, you name it.  It was a great time.  I volunteered with the Christian Surfers group who was helping many different organizations do their thing.  The Life Rolls On foundation was there, as well as the Living the Dream Foundation.  Both of them are incredible groups doing great things for those with disabilities and cystic fibrosis.  Action sports plays such a great role in the lifestyles of those involved with the organization.  Surfing's positive effects on cystic fibrosis have been translated into medical treatments used by all who suffer from it!  Check this out.

"Haager also was living proof that surfing helped CF patients breathe easier. Doctors determined that inhaling saltwater mist had a powerful effect on rehydrating the lining of the lungs and allowed CF patients to more easily eliminate bacteria-contaminated mucus. This discovery led researchers to develop a hypertonic saline solution, which CF patients around the world now inhale, mimicking a “surf session,” on a daily basis. The Pipeline events were created to herald this discovery."

Overall, it was a great experience.  Check out some photos below of Rob Machado getting out of the water, an individual from Life Rolls On headed out for a surf, and Tom Curren perfoming at the Drifter movie premier.