June 2024

The Aloha Award announces 2024 award winner and finalists.

The Aloha Award team is honoured to announce the winner, runner-up and 3 finalists for the 2024 award.

Winner: Babacar Thiaw for his pioneering spirit, bringing the first zero waste restaurant to Senegal, and creating a pathway for others to follow. Babacar is also the head of Surfrider Senegal, and owner of Copacabana Surf Village where he has nurtured a thriving surf community. 

Runner up: Dr. Giovanni Martinez, clinical psychologist and Executive Director of Surf4Dem, for his global leadership in integrating psychology with surf therapy for youth with autism. Through his evidence-based, family-centered approach, Giovanni has advanced inclusive mental health practice in Puerto Rico and internationally, empowering thousands of children and families through the shared experience of surfing.

Finalist: Marcelo Muñoz Álvarez, founder of Surf Therapy Coquimbo, for his leadership in establishing Chile’s first surf therapy program. Through strategic partnerships, volunteer mobilization, and innovative programs, Marcelo has expanded access to therapeutic surfing for hundreds of youth in vulnerable and remote communities, promoting inclusivity, emotional well-being, and environmental stewardship.

Finalist: Isabella Delfosse for her work co-founding a surf therapy program empowering young local girls to rewrite their stories through the ocean. For more than seven years, Isabella has created safe spaces where girls can build confidence, challenge gender norms, and discover their strength and joy in the waves.

Finalist: Drew McPherson, National Campaign Manager at Surfrider Australia, for his leadership in environmental advocacy and surf therapy. Through grassroots campaigns like Save Southern Sea and his early work with Surfing the Spectrum, Drew has worked tirelessly to empower communities, protect marine ecosystems, and champion ocean conservation on both local and national scales.

The winner of this years’ Aloha Award, Babacar Thiaw, received a $10,000 donation to the charity or non-profit organization of his choice, a one-week, all-expenses paid trip to Namotu Island in Fiji and a scholarship to attend the 2024 International Surf Therapy Organization conference “Blue Mind Summit” in Los Angeles. Babacar has chosen to direct his cash donation toward his community, supporting local street kids with mattresses,  food and surf lessons, so they can live self-sufficiently and offering them a doorway into a new sport that can provide hope and motivation for the rest of their lives. Additionally, he has purchased 100 trash cans and distributed them around local beaches and arranged for the local council to collect them each week.

Runner-up Giovanni Martinez has received a $5,000 donation towards the charity or non-profit of his choice (which he directed towards Surf4Dem), a one-week, all-expenses paid trip to Namotu Island in Fiji (due to scheduling Giovanni will travel to Fiji in April 2026) and a scholarship to attend the 2024 International Surf Therapy Organization conference. 

Each of the 3 remaining finalists received $2,500 donation to the charity or non-profit organization of their choice and an online ticket to attend the 2024 International Surf Therapy Organization conference “Blue Mind Summit”. 

We would like to extend our wholehearted appreciation to everyone who has contributed to the success of the Aloha Award to date, including our Aloha Award ambassadors, International Surf Therapy Organization (ISTO), Plaza Home Mortgage, Inc.®, Namotu Island Resort, Fiji Airways, WSL One Ocean, Surfline and every person who has taken the time to nominate.

Aloha!