On the left, an October 2015 photo of Doug Falter, an American surfer, with his board in Hawaii.
On the right, the same board, in 2020, in the hands of the Filipino Giovanne Branzuela.
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Handout / Courtesy of Giovanne Branzuela / BRENT BIELMAN / AFP
It is the story of a very long journey, which ends with an improbable reunion.
When Doug Falter, an American surfer who loves big waves, fell off his board off the coast of Hawaii (USA), he had no idea that it would drift to the Philippines, more than 8,000 km away.
More than two years after seeing her disappear in the middle of the big waves of Waimea Bay, a famous Hawaiian surf spot, Doug Falter found her via social networks.
" I thought it was a joke "
"When I saw her in the picture, I couldn't believe it, I thought it was a joke," the 35-year-old American surfer told AFP via Zoom.
His board, lost in February 2018, drifted to Sarangani Island, located south of the Philippine archipelago, more than 8,000 kilometers from Hawaii.
View this post on Instagram
LOST BOARD !!!
- While surfing Waimea yesterday my leash came off and I couldn't catch up to my board in time before it floated off into the channel and kept goin.
If anyone sees or hears anything about a light blue @lylecarlsonsurfboards washed up on the beach or rocks please DM or call me at (614) 580-3100 - This was my only big wave board!
đ If anyone feels like reposting or sharing on their story I would be forever grateful.
I last saw it floating really close to the rocks on the left side of Waimea Bay just before dark at around 6:45 pm.
There is a good chance it could be washed up between Waimea and Haleiwa Harbor.
It could definitely be around Alligators, Lanis, Hultons area as Ive heard or boards washing up around there before.
Keeping my fingers đ€đœ
A post shared by Doug Falter (@dougfalter) on Feb 4, 2018 at 10:24 am PST
Its new owner, Giovanne Branzuela, is an apprentice surfer who teaches at a local primary school.
A few months ago, he bought this board from a neighbor for 2,000 pesos (35 euros).
It was found, damaged, by Filipino fishermen in August 2018, floating offshore, six months after its disappearance.
The manufacturer of the board posted a photo
The name of the board's Hawaiian maker, Lyle Carlson, was still visible.
Puzzled, the Filipino teacher did some research on Facebook and sent the âshaperâ, the maker of the board, a photo of the surf.
Lyle Carlson then shared the photo on Instagram, mentioning Doug Falter.
âIt was a surfboard from Hawaii.
I couldn't believe it, âGiovanne Branzuela, 38, told AFP by phone.
The American plans to travel to the small Philippine island to recover his property as soon as the travel restriction measures linked to the coronavirus are lifted.
âThis board meant a lot to me because of everything I managed to do with it,â says Doug Falter, who started surfing about 15 years ago in Florida (Southeastern United States) before settling in Hawaii.
The American surfer will visit the Philippines
It is with her that this professional photographer participated in 2016 in the Eddie Aikau surf competition, which takes place on the beach of Waimea Bay.
That day, the swell exceeded 20 meters.
Doug Falter wants to give Giovanne Branzuela a beginner's surfboard in exchange for his and use his stay to give him surf lessons.
In the meantime, he is raising funds for the school of Giovanne Branzuela.
"It's an excuse for me to go to the Philippines and close the story," said the American.
âI think it would be a nice ending to⊠teach him how to surf.
"
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