Members of the Mauli Ola Foundation was established in 2007, are works to boost hope and confidence for people living with genetic diseases, often through ocean activities. At the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, the organization hosted a surf therapy session for local kids to go surfing with some of the most advanced surf instructors in the world, including Keanu Asing, Kolohe Andino, and reigning World Champion Adriano de Souza, among others.
"I find it amazing, that something I love so much, surfing, is a natural therapy for Cystic Fibrosis," said Hans Hagen,Mauli Ola executive director. "Cystic Fibrosis is a pulmonary disease and hypertonic saline, the surface layer of the ocean, helps break up mucous and limits infection. We see the positive effect not only with their lung function improving but also mentally, because surfing is a great way of clearing your mind and upping your spirits.
"The friendships they build through these experiences helps inspire them to continue taking their medications, continue to eat right and continue to live an active lifestyle. The science of it is that they have to go to the clinic to breakup mucous in their lungs anyway which is a pain. And if we can get them to run around and take a few wipeouts to help lessen that, that's what we're trying to do with Mauli Ola."
In addition to helping children with CF through their surf-therapy events, Mauli Ola raises money for breast cancer research with their Battle for the Breasts contest annually in October. During the first events on the Gold Coast, the foundation announced that Lisa Andersen is their newest ambassador.