9 Years After Saddening Turn of Events, Popular Surfer Gets a Fitting Farewell From the Community

New Jersey musician Olly Newman was a passionate surfer in his teenage years. However, his surfing enthusiasm soon came to an end when he faced an unfortunate car accident in 2014 at the age of 19. Newman was slammed by an unlicensed car at the speed of 70 mph when he was on his way to Le Port. That incident snatched his ability to move. Moreover, the surfer received a free-spirited tribute this weekend, as he breathed his last in January 2023.

On May 22, the news website Jersey Evening Post reported about the grand tribute given to Olly Newman by his charity club through a festival that featured 50 local bands.

Olly Newman’s story from 2014 to 2019

As per the report, after his near-fatal accident with the speedy car, Newman lost his ability to use his torso and limbs in 2014. However, without letting the news get to them, his friends and family started a charity, Peas and Glove. It was a phrase loved by the musician. They raised money for his treatment and hoped to get him back to New Jersey.

Finally, after a 4-year battle, Newman returned to New Jersey in 2019. Unfortunately, in early January of 2023, the musician and surfer fell ill and was on oxygen support for a few weeks. On January 23, the medical staff decided that oxygen was not helping Newman anymore. They put him off the support and after 17 hours, he rested in peace.

Paying him tribute, his charity organized a festival, which is held annually at St Ouen’s Bay. This weekend, the final event of the festival was celebrated in Watersplash which featured live music from 50 local bands. It included several other attractions like DJs, games, motorbike stunt riding, a hog roast, face-painting stalls, and surfing. The fund raised from the competition was donated to Healing Waves, an ocean-therapy charity.

Read More: Taking Loss Heavily, Surfing Superstar Reposts Beautiful Tribute for “Warmest” Photographer

Ocean therapy has recently become an effective way to heal mental and physical issues in people. One such organization recently made headlines for its surf therapy programs.

Non-profit organization helps kids with unfortunate experiences

San Diego based non-profit organization, Urban Surf 4 Kids has been running its surf therapy programs since 2009. It primarily uses ocean therapy to help kids from foster homes in healing their mental health.

The organization considers its volunteers, donors, and children as one big family. It is highly inspired by Hawaiian culture’s “Ohana” concept which means “chosen family”. Many children here have bonded with the surfing guides and experienced the love they were deprived of for so many years.

It’s indeed sad how people face life-altering situations. However, be it Olly Newman’s charity or Urban Surf 4 Kids, all recognize the effectiveness of surfing therapy.

Watch This Story:  Kelly Slater’s IG following Shows He Still Follows Supermodel Ex Girlfriend Gisele Bundchen As Well As Former Hubby Tom Brady