After 11 years of running surfing adventures to the Maldives through his company Tropicsurf, Sunshine Coast surfer Ross Phillips is finding even more fulfillment from his day job….only this time it’s not from the thrill of riding those perfect waves, but giving back to the place that has given him so much over the last decade.
Just last week (Tuesday 11th Sept) Phillips and Mohammed ‘Fittey’ Fayyaz (Tropicsurf Maldives General Manager) met with founding directors of Care Society Maldives, Fathmath Afiya and Ijazulla Abdulla to commit a US$5,000 donation to assist with program implementations.
Ross Phillips, (39yrs, Sunshine Beach, Qld) started out 20yrs ago coaching through the Surfing Queensland Coaching Course accreditation system. A short time later he developed the www.surfbetter.com business model and formed a partnership with ASP WCT World Champion Mark Occhilupo and ASP WCT Womens Runner Up Serena Brooke to create a self help DVD titled “Surfing Made Easy”.
Harbouring a fervent desire to travel and discover new territories on the surfing front, Ross formed Tropicsurf in January 2002 with business partner Vic Kavals which as he recalls evolved from his Wavesense Coaching business. “The whole Tropicsurf concept just grew from the existing business, from our passion to go surf waves in idyllic locations while helping our guests improve their skills and maximize the whole experience, sharing what we loved doing with others was such a catalyst for where we are today”, said Ross.
Over the years spent defining Tropicsurf some wisdom was gained through the unexpected agony here and there, but the dream always shone bright and today, after learning priceless lessons from seaplane charter operations to local fresh produce market procedures, Tropicsurf is in the top echelon of global surfing adventures and boasts a list of clientele including high profile executives, Hollywood celebrities, sport stars and royalty.
It goes without saying that having spent so much time in one of the world’s most beautiful locations, Ross, his wife Di and business partner Vic Kavals have been moved emotionally by the their own experiences in the Maldives region. As the saying goes - ‘Passion drives Progress’ and their combined passion has seen them decide to assist in helping local communities, some of which are still struggling to rebuild after the tsunami devastation on Boxing Day 2004.
“This is something that we have really wanted to do for some time and having full trust in the Care Society meant a great pathway to get involved and it is just the beginning”, said Phillips. With a cognizant public pressuring multinationals about corporate consciousness and responsibility, the Tropicsurf statement fits the mix, same as it always has!
“We have always thought that whatever business we ended up in, part of that plan or model would be about helping people, it can’t all just be about profit, that can be a bit of a hollow dream”, said Phillips. “We feel that this is the right thing to do, we go there (Maldives) and enjoy the waves and hospitality of the region and its people, so it’s only fair that we put back in”, said Ross.
There is actually more to it than meets the eye. Phillips is one of those people that Australian culture call a ‘doer’, (he started the dream with AUD$500 and a healthy dose of inspiration from wife Diane) you know the type, meek, mild, quietly spoken and not one to waste words often. A humble guy who tends to shy away from accolades, as those who were with him when his company ‘Wavesense’ won two inductions into the Australian Surfing Hall of Fame in 2004/5 will attest.
So, when he offers up a contribution to the conversation, you take it because he thinks first and speaks later. His vision for the future unveils a bigger picture too, “It is also about the Tropicsurf Legacy…..you know, it’s good to think that maybe after I am long gone that Tropicsurf will continue to help make a positive difference to the people and places we visit, wherever it is the company is venturing “, said Ross.
As for the immediate future, well Tropicsurf unveil their new Noosa based branch of the business this Friday with a private launch in Hastings St, while on the overseas front they will christen a brand new custom built vessel called ‘Tropic Breeze’ which is specifically designed to cater to all the needs of clients. It will service the 2008 season.
Care Society Maldives. Mission: Care Society is committed to improvements in the lives of people with disabilities. In collaboration with families and in partnership with government and non-government organizations.
Care Society promotes practices and public policies that:
* Support the total integration of people with disabilities into society;
* Promote access to education, training and employment for people with disabilities;
* Raise community awareness to encourage equality and fairness for people with disabilities;
* Encourage health service providers to intervene early in the lives of children and adults with disabilities; and
* Ensure people with disabilities are valued as individuals.
Objectives: Over the next five years Care Society will:
- Increase and maximize resources;
- Communicate effectively with all stakeholders;
- Provide training to volunteers and people with disabilities
- Influence policy making to encourage equality and fairness in service to people with disabilities;
- Promote formal and non-formal education and training opportunities for men, women and children with disabilities;
- Involve all staff members and volunteers in the planning and implementation of service to the people with disabilities;
Support Care Parents Forum;
- Expand services; and
- Continuously improve programs.
- Fundraise to enable self-reliance and sustainable services;
- Conduct ongoing research into the needs of people with disabilities in Maldives;
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