Primary source wavesforwater.org
Open the original on wavesforwater.orgIn short the story, from wavesforwater.org
Waves For Water is a non-profit founded in 2009 by Jon Rose, who had spent 13 years as a professional surfer. According to the organization, Rose had 10 water filters with him on a surf trip in Sumatra when a 7.6 earthquake struck the city of Padang in September 2009, and he became one of the first responders. Source · wavesforwater.org
Waves For Water says it works through three solutions: portable water filtration systems, the construction and restoration of bore-hole wells, and rainwater harvesting where groundwater is not accessible. It says it always implements its programs through local teams of volunteers and community leaders, an approach it calls "Help The Helpers." Its Courier Program invites travelers to carry a few filters on their own trips; by 2016, the organization says, couriers had implemented filters in 90 countries. Source · wavesforwater.org
Waves For Water reports responding to 33 major natural disasters, including Haiti after the 2010 earthquake and the Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, where it says it implemented more than 10,000 filtration systems in nine provinces. It estimates its work has reached 3,750,000 people in 48 countries (figures as stated on its About page, read 2026-09-26; the page does not date them). Source · wavesforwater.org
The read Glen’s take, in his words
September 2009. Padang, on the island of Sumatra. A 7.6 earthquake has just hit. Waves For Water says more than a thousand people died, and a hundred thousand lost their homes. Source · wavesforwater.org
A professional surfer named Jon Rose was in the region with ten water filters in hand. His surf trip took a detour. He became one of the first responders.
Jon had spent thirteen years as a pro surfer, chasing waves around the world, and Sumatra was one of his favorite places. In 2009, he started Waves For Water around a simple idea: do what you love, and help along the way. Source · wavesforwater.org
What strikes me is how far that idea traveled. Waves For Water built a Courier Program for travelers. Surf trip to Nicaragua? Bring some filters. Couriers are encouraged to find where filters are needed by talking with locals where they stay, or with staff at schools and clinics. By 2016, Waves For Water says, couriers had placed filters in ninety countries. Source · wavesforwater.org
The same approach carries into disasters. After the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, Jon teamed up with relief partners, including the UN, to bring clean water to affected communities. After Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, the team landed in the Philippines within days and put in more than ten thousand filtration systems across nine provinces. Source · wavesforwater.org
But a filter is not the whole story. Waves For Water says it always works through local teams of volunteers and community leaders, building trust over time. They call it helping the helpers. Alongside filters, they dig and restore wells, and build rainwater systems where groundwater can't be reached.
Their own words stay with me. It's not a question of technology. It's a question of access.
A filter can travel a long way in a bag. What makes it last is the people who lead where it's used.
This is why we're making space for Jon Rose in the I Drink Living Water Research Library.
Questions answered from this page
What is this story about?
Waves For Water is a non-profit founded in 2009 by Jon Rose, who had spent 13 years as a professional surfer. According to the organization, Rose had 10 water filters with him on a surf trip in Sumatra when a 7.6 earthquake struck the city of Padang in September 2009, and he became one of the first responders.
Why did Glen Kerby choose this story?
I chose Jon Rose because his story starts with something small, ten water filters in a surfer's bag. What keeps me reading is what Waves For Water built around it: a way for ordinary travelers to carry clean water with them, and a habit of working through the local leaders who step up in their own communities. It's a reminder that access is often the real question.
Where can I read the original?
It was published by wavesforwater.org as “Waves For Water About”, at https://www.wavesforwater.org/about.
Go to the source their work, in full
“Waves For Water About”
Published by wavesforwater.org. Read it where it was reported.
