Calling All Sponsors...There's Someone You Should Know About!

My friend Daren posted a request on Facebook. He's looking for sponsors to help his son compete on the world's stage and become the best surfer he can be. He asked, so I'm doing what I can to help.

I've written about this young man before. His name is Jordy Collins and he's a surfer from the San Diego area. He's quickly becoming one of America's best young surfing talents. I don't know much about how people get sponsored, or what exactly that all entails. I only know that traveling all over the world to compete must be an expensive concern. 

I wish I had a company that could help. I suppose I am--in a way--my own businessman. I'm a self-employed writer and I put words together to form stories (and blog posts...). At this point in my career, those words are not generating income to the extent that I can sponsor anyone.

Though, it would be cool to have this on a poster with the caption: 

Jordy Collins: 

Sponsored by Author Scott William Taylor

Maybe one day.

If you'd like more information, let me know by e-mailing me at: scottwilliamtaylor@outlook.com, and I'll get you in touch with those involved. You could be sponsoring a world surfing tour participant. You might be sponsoring a future olympian. But I know that if you decide to help, you'll be supporting a good kid from a great family in helping him become the best he can be.

If You're On Instagram...You SHOULD Follow Jordy Collins!

Back, oh...thirty-one years ago, I met a surfer from California. He was probably the first surfer I had ever met in my life. I did not meet him on the beach or in college, but on a train platform in Odense, Denmark. 

Not a lot of surfing in Denmark, though some do surf there.

The surfer was Daren Collins and he waited for me to get off a train with all my earthly possessions in two suitcases. Both of us wore suits, ties, and black name tags. For the next two months we served together as missionaries for the LDS church, and we've been friends ever since.

Unfortunately, Daren and I haven't seen much of each other in the past thirty-one years. Both of us got married and raised kids. Part of the miracle that is social media is being able to follow your friends and their families and seeing what they're up to.

And on Facebook yesterday my friend asked the digital world to help out his son, who is following in his father's footsteps. Jordy just won the Boys West Coast Champion Under 17 title and he's looking for more Instagram followers.

So, if you're on Instagram (which I know many of you are...), search jordy_collins and give the kid a follow. You're supporting a great surfer and he's posted some beautiful pictures. You know, I've never met Jordy, but if he's anything like his father, he's a total stud!

For Our Sons...

*

I think I heard about Daren before I met him. "He's a surfer from California," is what I was told. Turns out Daren and I ended up being LDS mission companions--not for too long, only a couple of months. But it was long enough that since then, almost every time I see a photo or video of a surfer or watch a movie about surfing, I think of Daren. That was over thirty years ago.

Thirty years ago this month he and I rode our ancient bikes across the cobblestoned streets of Odense, birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen. We saw many things and met many people and I was always in awe of Daren's confidence. And I learned a lot about surfing. Now, I've never surfed, but when I see a true master of wave and board, it's a thing of beauty. 

And I always think of Daren.

Yesterday Daren posted information on Facebook about the Quicksilver 2015 King of the Groms Surfing Competition in which his son, Jordy, is competing. You see, son has followed his father's kick out in the soup. Daren wants as many people as possible to vote for his son. I've never met his son, Jordy, but whenever I see his picture, I see Daren.

You can support Jordy by following these simple rules.

First, go to this website: http://quiksilver.com/surf/events/kotg.html#round2

Scroll down and click the orange button: VIEW ENTRIES

Then scroll down and click on Jordy Collins's name. Find the Facebook LIKE icon, click it and you've voted for Jordy. And if you've got a second or two, check out the video. It's really beautiful to watch.

Interestingly enough, my own son is currently living in California. He's not surfing or entering competitions of any kind. He's doing what I did thirty years ago, making life-long friends of his own. And maybe, just maybe thirty years from now, my son'll be talking about his friend's son. That would be cool.

Vote Jordy!

* Awesome photo taken by Nathan Petty and used without permission