Pro-Surfer Rochelle Ballard links up with FOND

What happened on Oahu, why Rochelle Ballard is coming to NY, what exactly is a Surf Into Yoga Crossing and what’s FOND got to do with it?
February was a spectacular month. I finally honed in on what I wanted to do with my skillset (a.k.a. – the rest of my life), and put the wheels in motion to make it official. After registering The FOND Group LLC, I decided my next step should entail a bit of my favorite kind of spiritual rejuvenation: the traveling kind.

First Stop: Hawaii, Of Course…
As a late-blooming surfer and perpetual lover of nature, it was amazing I’d never visited Hawaii before. Ever. I’d heard stories and seen thousands of images but somehow my brain could never quite piece together what it might actually be like there. At one point in college, I’d even tried to transfer to Hawaii, sight unseen, as I wasn’t getting enough beach in Northern California. But the transfer fell through, and 15 years later I’d still never been. (It’s probably for the best it didn’t work out, or I’d likely be degree-less and selling seashells by the seashore to this day.) I decided to get right to the core of the place and targeted that legendary surf Mecca: Oahu’s famed North Shore as my introduction. I was insanely curious to see what the scene, the surfing, the lifestyle was really all about. I couldn’t wait.

IPhone shot of Pipeline just blocks from Rochelle's property on Hawaii's North Shore.
iPhone shot of Pipeline just blocks from Rochelle’s property on Hawaii’s North Shore. Waves got up to 20 feet that week, I’d never seen anything like it.
Good timing landed me on the North Shore during the Volcom Pipe Pro and I got to see the best surfing I'd ever witnessed in person on waves I could hardly wrap my head around.
Good timing landed me on the North Shore during the Volcom Pipe Pro and I got to see the best surfing I’d ever witnessed in person on waves so crazy I could hardly wrap my head around what I was seeing.

Destination North Shore – Rochelle Ballard’s Property
With some luck and opportune timing, I had made arrangements to stay on the property of surfing legend Rochelle Ballard for a 10-day respite at her North Shore Wellness Retreat. Surfing, meditation, bodywork, natural food and the greenest surroundings you could imagine, just steps from some of the best surfing beaches in the world… Truly paradise.

Rochelle Ballard's North Shore Wellness Retreat. Rochelle has since sold the property and returned to her native Kauai with the intention of taking her practice on the road - Surf Into Yoga Crossing is born.
Rochelle Ballard’s North Shore Wellness Retreat. Rochelle has since sold the property and returned to her native Kauai with the intention of taking her practice on the road –           Surf Into Yoga Crossing is born.

Green Paradise…
From the moment I arrived, I knew I was exactly where I was supposed to be. My body and soul just kicked into happy gear and I was overcome by a great sense of peace and the notion that my health was mine to reclaim. The past year had been tough, both mentally and physically, and being here at Rochelle’s special green property (even the house is deep green) marked the first solid steps towards my new course. I wasn’t there for any reason but to recharge and, for the first time in a long while (perhaps my life), I’d given myself full permission to check out and relax, nurture myself, and just take in all the good laid out before me. This decision to clear out the old and chuck the clutter of emails, meetings, and “should-haves” from my conscience had left me clear and free and excited for what was next.

The Beautiful Green Property, Rochelle's home (since sold) on Hawaii's North Shore Where I Stayed for 10 days
The Beautiful Green Property, Rochelle’s home (since sold) on Hawaii’s North Shore Where I Stayed for 10 days

Yoga with Rochelle…
I’m no yogi (I tend to giggle when the Ommms start), but I am a firm believer in the mind-body connection, and my past training as a sports massage therapist is something I apply in daily life: I’m quite certain the pains I experience in my feet, back and neck have as much to do with what is going on mentally as to what is happening physically. Proof of that showed in how beat up I would feel after a tough work day in comparison to the relative pain-free state I would experience after a 20 mile run. There was no doubt I had some serious unwinding to do after the contortions I’d put myself through trying to make an unhealthy and overstressed lifestyle work for me—and yet I did still have serious reservations about Yoga and its cult-like tendencies. A LOT of adoption without a lot of information scares me. My scientific brain had led me here, though, and it was through the study of anatomy and physiology, and its practical application, that I’d reached the personal conclusion that I damn well better learn to connect and take care of my body and mind to have any chance of long term bliss and freedom from stress. My mind was as open as it was ever going to be on this trip and in this place—so I decided to take a yoga class with Rochelle. She calls it Surf into Yoga.
Well, let’s just say Rochelle’s yoga teaching style is unlike any other I’ve ever experienced. She is a firecracker, and anyone who’s ever seen her charging, big-wave style of surfing knows she possesses an immense inner fire and strength that extends far beyond her tiny frame. What surprised me, though, was how gentle and nurturing she also is. She developed this style of yoga when no other style spoke to her as a bodyworker and athlete, and she’s passionate about sharing it, but there’s no dogma, no cult, no pressure, no judgment –just something really beautiful and healing that left me wanting to learn more. As a fellow bodyworker and athlete, the way she taught, I just got it.

Killer massage too…
I was also the grateful recipient of some amazing bodywork from Rochelle. She knows her stuff. I’ve been getting weekly massages since I was 21 to manage a chronic misalignment of my spine. I’ve had massages from gurus, monks, quacks, Rolfers –and in every style: shiatsu, deep tissue, hot stone, Thai, inverted, underwater, just plain bad. I’ve had massages in a dozen countries and from a few hundred practitioners. (Don’t get jealous, you haven’t seen my back.) I’m not the first to say that Hawaiians have their own special energy and approach to life that just makes for a calmer, lighter self, but in Rochelle’s bodywork, I felt it.  In fact, her body and energy work and our resulting conversations were so powerful and positive that I felt compelled to find a way to bring them to a wider audience. I was a believer – this stuff was legit.

And we talked…
Rochelle and I sat down and talked. To my surprise, I learned that I was the last guest ever at this property. Rochelle was making some major changes in her own life path and it turned out we were crossing each other’s at the exact right moment. Me, I needed inspiration and a worthwhile cause to get moving with FOND, and she was ready to move on her dream of bringing Surf Into Yoga and her life’s spiritual lessons to the world… Starting with NY. I could help with this! I’d been craving exactly this sort of collaboration. As soon as we started talking, it felt as if it was meant to be.

We shared our visions. We both believed in truth, in putting messages out into the world that are both positive and practical, in supporting local businesses, in giving back to our communities. We believed in health for body and mind, in good wholesome nutrition and a positive, all-inclusive athletic culture with opportunity for all.

Now, quite magically, several conversations, texts, emails later, and the concept is alive and kicking and will start this September. Rochelle is bringing the inspiration I experienced on the North Shore of Oahu right here to the urban beaches of NYC. And FOND is getting to help.

Surf Into Yoga Crossing is Born!
So, What is a Surf Into Yoga Crossing?
Surf Into Yoga New York Crossing is a personal journey with Rochelle Ballard that willb e documented through blog writing, photography and video. The crossing will feature a series of interactive elements involving Rochelle Ballard and local communities with the goal of sharing its mission. Read more on Surf Into Yoga NY Crossing with Rochelle Ballard.

What FOND has got to do with it and how you can help:
FOND Group is working with local brands, venues, non-profits and community groups to finalize the details of Rochelle’s visit which will include surf and yoga activities for underprivileged youth, a photo presentation and lecture on her travels and life lessons through surfing, private yoga/surf instruction and bodywork with Rochelle and–waves permitting—some epic surfing on our own Northeast swells.

GET INVOLVED! If you are a brand or individual that would like to get involved in the NY Crossing with Rochelle Ballard, please use this form

or email us at
info@fondgroup.com with Surf Into Yoga in the subject.

Read more on what Stay tuned for more details coming soon!

Surf Into Yoga NY Crossing – About

ABOUT: SURF INTO YOGA NEW YORK CROSSING

WHAT IT IS:  SURF INTO YOGA NEW YORK CROSSING IS A PERSONAL JOURNEY WITH ROCHELLE BALLARD DOCUMENTED THROUGH BLOG WRITING, PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEO.  THE CROSSING WILL FEATURE A SERIES OF INTERACTIVE ELEMENTS INVOLVING ROCHELLE BALLARD AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES WITH THE GOAL OF SHARING ITS MISSION.

MISSION:  SURF INTO YOGA IS DEDICATED TO THE PURSUIT OF WELLNESS AND INSPIRATION THROUGH YOGA, SURFING, MASSAGE AND NUTRITION. THE CROSSING MISSION IS TO PERFORM OUTREACH TO LESS FORTUNATE, DISTRESSED YOUTH, SHARING YOGALIGN THROUGH WORKSHOPS, SURF, AND SUP LESSONS DONATED BY ROCHELLE BALLARD AND VOLUNTEERS FROM LOCAL SURF AND YOGA ORGANIZATIONS IN THE COMMUNITY.

INTERACTIVE ELEMENTS  WHILE TRAVERSING NYC AND ITS SURROUNDING BEACHES, THE CROSSING AIMS TO CAPTIVATE AND ENGAGE INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES THROUGH A VARIETY OF SURF AND YOGA THEMED EVENTS TO INCLUDE:

  1. SURF, SUP AND YOGA ACTIVITIES AND WORKSHOPS
  2. WELLNESS EVENTS FOCUSED ON HEALTHY LIFESTYLE (NUTRITION, MASSAGE, MEDITATION, MUSIC),
  3. INTERACTIVE TALKS HOSTED BY ROCHELLE BALLARD TO SHARE PERSONAL STORIES, PHOTOS, AND VIDEOS OF HER JOURNEY
  4. ONE-ON-ONE TREATMENTS AND LESSONS VIA PRIVATE BOOKING WITH BALLARD FOR YOGA, MASSAGE, SURF AND SUP, FIRST COME FIRST SERVE BASIS.

HOW WE WILL DO IT: TRUE TO ITS MISSION, THE CROSSING AIMS TO INSPIRE AND UNITE COMMUNITY THROUGH SURF, YOGA AND THE SPIRIT OF GIVING BACK.  THIS IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS, SPONSORSHIPS AND THE SUPPORT OF LOCAL INDIVIDUALS AND BUSINESSES.

SURF INTO YOGA TO PROVIDE:

  1. FACILITATION OF SURF AND YOGA DAY CAMP TO BE HOSTED BY ROCHELLE BALLARD (STUDENTS AGE 8-18, CAPACITY: ALL WHO CAN COME)
  2. SURF INTO YOGA FORMAL WORKSHOPS FOR ADULTS HOSTED AT LOCAL FACILITIES (SMALL DONATION REQUESTED)
  3. ROCHELLE BALLARD TO HOST TALKS FEATURING STORIES, PHOTOS AND VIDEOS FROM HER PERSONAL JOURNEY
  4. SIY PRODUCT SUPPORT AND SPONSORSHIP, AS NEEDED
  5. ONE ON ONE APPOINTMENT AVAILABILITY (FOR A FEE) WITH ROCHELLE BALLARD
  6. DIGITAL MEDIA AND SUPPORT PROVIDED BY FOND GROUP TO INCLUDE EMAIL, SOCIAL, MEDIA OUTREACH, PRESS RELEASE, PHOTO, VIDEO

SUPPORT NEEDED:

  1. PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL SURF, YOGA, WELLNESS FACILITIES AND PROFESSIONALS
  2. SPONSORSHIP AND DONATION OF SURF AND YOGA EQUIPMENT, APPAREL, FOOD AND BEVERAGE, SUNSCREEN,  ETC.
  3. PROFESSIONAL SERVICE DONATION – PHOTOGRAPHY, VIDEOGRAPHY,  GRAPHIC DESIGN, ENTERTAINMENT, FOOD PREPARATION, EMERGENCY, EDUCATION PROFESSIONALS ETC. VOLUNTEERS
  4. MEDIA, COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND YOUR HELP SPREADING THE WORD!

WHERE:
NEW YORK – FINAL DESTINATIONS TBD. TENTATIVE STOPS INCLUDE NYC, LONG BEACH, ROCKAWAY, MONTAUK, MECOX BAY.

WHEN:
SEPTEMBER 2013, DATES TBD

WHO:

1. SURF INTO YOGA CAMP BOYS AND GIRLS AGES 8-18

2.  WORKSHOPS AND PRIVATES OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FIRST COME FIRST SERVE SIGN UP

MEDIA: 

SOCIAL MEDIA, PRE, DURING AND POST WITH BLOGGING, INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK, TWITTER, SURFLINE, LOCAL NEWS AND SURF COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Rochelle Ballard

In Rochelle’s Words:

Community
Community is a place of coming together in a local society, politics, and economics. But it is also people with a common interest. Some are fortunate enough to travel the world see and experience things that open our eyes make us really appreciate all of the abundance and beauty of nature and life as well as famine, growth, and waist in this world. It’s the yin and the yang of life. We find ourselves being drawn back to certain communities enjoying friends, good times, sharing culture differences and similarities. Around the world there are people with the common interest of passion for conscious living and life with purpose. It is sharing our own local community and culture with each other no matter where you are or where you come from. Surfing is a unique and inspiring way to share with people and culture around the world. Some people think we are dancing in on the ocean. We are.

Island Living
From time to time, whether we are in the ocean or the mountains we will share with you experiences in our own community as well as traveling abroad, people we meet, culture, food, and little insights of healthy living, with yummy recipes, good things for your body, and good things to give back to the earth. For now i share with you a little peace of the islands the ocean is a big part of the culture and island living, weather you are fishing, diving, paddling, surfing, or just enjoying the beach with family and friends.

Aloha, Rochelle

GET INVOLVED!

Fresher Farm to Table

GETTING THE ROOT OF FRESH AND HOW TO GET IT IN THE CITY

Living in NYC, it is surprisingly hard to find impeccably fresh produce. I’d insert the word ‘local’ here too but recent schooling has taught me that ‘local’ is rapidly becoming the new ‘organic’ when it comes to overuse and lack of meaning in terms of describing the quality of our food. You see, we can call anything ‘local’ but how far does that mean…this block, zipcode, state? To be determined.

When it comes to organic, it can be even trickier. In a recent conversation with Long Island microgreens grower, Brendan Davison,  I was educated on the some of the misnomers surrounding organic and natural food labeling. Davison shocked me when he told me that one of my very favorite ‘organic’ producers actually only operated one single acre of truly chemical-free farmland and for the rest of its thousand or so acres, it was full-fledged pesticide-laden business as usual. And yet, they were legally able to maintain their USDA Certified Organic classification on their packaging. News to me.

So, for now, I’ll settle on ‘fresh’ as the key quality I am looking for in my food and with that, I mean I want it to be picked within the last 10 hours and to have come into contact with as few chemicals as possible in the course of its life. This food not only tastes the best but it offers the highest amount of nutrients and critical enzymes our body needs to nourish itself. I treat my body like a science experiment and I can vouch for the difference I feel in energy, mood, sleep quality with the right supply of fresh wholesome foods.

In my search for fresh in the city, I tried out so many different options in the last year and was painfully disappointed with many of them. The major at-home grocery delivery chain brings its organic bananas wrapped in bubble wrap and then styrofoam and then packaged in an industrial sized cardboard box (carrying cockroaches if you are lucky).  The semi-prepped food services are slow to disclose the source of their food suppliers and fail to provide a good value. Farmers markets do provide good options but are not exactly convenient for someone like me who juices daily and moves through 20lbs of produce in a week (though be sure to still ask questions about the food they are selling because it doesn’t all come from where you think).

After much digging and wishing for a ‘local’ and ‘organic’ (bear with me) service that would bring me products from places that I could go and visit without an airplane that had been cut from the vine only hours before, I finally landed at RusticRootsDelivery.com through the introduction of a friend/grower. What killed me is that I didn’t find them in all my google searching. There must be other people who want this type of service. A few conversations with the delightful couple (Emer and Jeff) who run the operation and  I was committed to helping them get the word out digitally…which is how you now see them listed under the FOND umbrella. The work Emer and Jeff do to get all of this fresh food into the city isn’t easy – a complex  distribution chain with  over 40 local growers and farmers is not something anyone can come in and master. One taste though and you will see why it is well worth the effort.

Mark my words though – THIS IS THE BEST VALUE I have found in healthful, real food anywhere in the city.  The fact that a real live farmer shows up at your door to drop the goods off is just the icing on the cake.  I wasn’t home for my delivery today at the beach and they put the items away in the fridge for me and then sent me a note to tell me where everything was. Items arrive in neat coolers that are reusable, not cardboard boxes. They follow-up with recipes via emails to help those of us along who don’t have a clue what to do with swiss chard or rhubarb. In one month, I’ve made rhubarb preserves, brocolli rabe, wild ramps for god’s sake! These are not items I would have ever bought or considered adding to my diet but I’m so glad I did.

In addition to fruit and juice baskets (my dermatologist asked what I was using on my skin today because its glowing BTW), they offer local farm fresh eggs, milk in the bottle, goats milk, yogurt, micgrogreens, meat, cheese, honeys and syrups and are adding more each day. Minimum order is $50, delivery $10, no subscription and pick and choose what you want and when you want it. For more, see their FAQ’s.

No one paid me to write this. I simply love these guys and think they are doing a good thing and it is improving the quality of life for a lot of people. Check it out and let me know what you think at nicole@fondgroup.com.

Use code FOND and they’ll knock 10% off your first two orders. Delivering to Long Island, Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens.
(And thank your farmer when they drop your food off – farmers rock.)

RusticRootsDelivery.com

To your health-

Nicole

Here are some of the highlights from my last several months in farm fresh heaven:

Breakfast Salad - a runners secret weapon. pumped up with extra nutritious kale Microgreens from @goodwaterfarms and toast with fresh avo and homemade rhubarb preserves
Breakfast Salad – a runners secret weapon. pumped up with extra nutritious kale Microgreens from @goodwaterfarms and toast with fresh avo and homemade rhubarb preserves.
Fresh bottled milk from Ronnybrook farms. You forget how good real milk tastes.
Fresh bottled milk from Ronnybrook farms. You forget how good real milk tastes.
Juicing every morning is easy with RRD's juicing basket.
Juicing every morning is easy with RRD’s juicing basket. Skin, hair, joints, (my brain!) have never been better.

RusticRoots1 RusticRoots2 image image_6 image_5 image_4 image_3 image_2 image_1

James Beard Gala Kickoff

FOND GROUP TEAMS UP WITH JAMES BEARD
FOUNDATION TO PLAN 2013 GALA

This week marked the kick-off of the most delicious FOND Group project yet. As members of this year’s James Beard Gala Host Committee, we were invited to join in an incredible culinary treat of the southern kind.

The “Hot and Hotter” themed dinner was served this Wednesday at the Beard House and featured the impeccable work of JBF Award-winning Chef Chris Hastings, Chris Harrigan, Rob McDaniel and Chris Newsome.

The meal did a great job of whetting our appetites for what is sure to be a tasty road ahead as FOND works with JBF to ensure this is their most successful gala to date.  We will be tackling the digital promotion and supporting sponsorship and donations for the gala as well as working through the details of VIP experiences, entertainment and community outreach. We are already full of ideas we can’t wait to share over the next several weeks. Partnered with a team of talented folks including returning event chairs Zachary and Lori Pomerantz, this year’s Gala will be one to remember.

Set to take place on Friday, November 15 at the Four Seasons Restaurant, the Gala has pinned down a killer theme this year (to be announced soon) which FOND is thrilled to get behind. The annual event serves a key fundraiser for JBF so they can continue to carry out their important work nurturing, celebrating and inspiring America’s diverse culinary heritage through their outstanding programs. More on JBF.

Planning is underway and FOND has already begun hitting the pavement to identify the best partners for the Gala. If you know of brands or businesses that might wish to get involved as sponsors or donors for the uber popular silent auction, please send them our way at info@fondgroup.com with James Beard in the subject.

And to make you jealous in the meantime, below is our menu from Wednesday’s Meal along with a shot of the southern-inspired goodies we were sent home with. I’m still dreaming about the Vanilla Custard with Wafer Crumbs and Brûléed Bananas. Yum.

FOND Out!

Nicole

Alabama Reserve Craft Brewed Beer and Gourmet Herb Salts were among the goodies we were sent home with.
Alabama Reserve Craft Brewed Beer and Gourmet Herb Salts were among the goodies we were sent home with.

James Beard “House Hot and Hotter” Menu
June 5, 2013
Special thanks to Chefs Chris Hastings, Chris Harrigan, Rob McDaniel and Chris Newsome for an unforgettable meal:

Hors d’Oeuvre
Bourbon-Braised Pork Belly with Brie and Thai Basil Crisps
Fried Point aux Pins Oysters with Collard Green Kimchi
Smoked Catfish with Lemon–Herb Crème Fraîche and Sunburst Trout Roe on Oatmeal Hardtack
Chicken Liver Truffles with House-Smoked Bacon
 
DOMAINE MITTNACHT FRERES PINOT BLANC 2011
DOMAINE ROBERT SÉROL LES ORIGINELLES CÔTE ROANNAISE 2011
 
Dinner
Southern Escabèche with Gulf Seafood and Farmers’ Market Summer Vegetables
FRANCK & JEAN FRANCOIS BAILLY CUVÉE CHAVIGNOL SANCERRE 2011
 
Ham Hock and Farmer Cheese–Filled Agnolotti with Petite Vegetables and Sweet Corn Broth
PHILIPPE ALLIET CHINON 2011
 
Shallot and Parsley Mousse–Stuffed Rabbit with Pickled Peaches, Field Peas, and Farro
DOMAINE LA RÉMÉJEANNE LES ARBOUSIERS CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2011
 
Roasted Border Springs Lamb Shoulder with Petite Summer Vegetables and Herb Broth
BACK FORTY BEER CO. BIERE DE GARDE
 
Hazelnut-Crusted Churro with Espresso Semifreddo; Alabama Peanut Génoise with Olive and Sinclair Chocolate, Salted Peanut–Praline Ice Cream, and Wild Strawberries; Summer Stone Fruit Crostini with Sweetened Stone Hollow Farmstead Goat Cheese; and Vanilla Custard with Wafer Crumbs and Brûléed Bananas
ALABAMA MOONSHINE

Boston With Love

FOND team members Nicole Delma and Josh Elkes were in Boston to race the Marathon on behalf of Grassrootsoccer.org. We are thankful that they were not directly near the site of the tragedy and made it out safely along with all of their teammates. While the day was catastrophic, the outpouring of kindness and support from the Boston community following the events was truly touching. We invite you to show your support for the victims and their families by purchasing a Boston Stands as One t-shirt from the Adidas website by clicking here. 100% of all profits donated to The One Fund Boston.

Seeing Microgreen

FOND was first introduced to Brendan Davison, founder of Good Water Farms back in November through a mutual friend who knew it would be immediate kismet. Since first sampling the sweet and unfathomably nutritious Microgreens superfood that Davison grows on his land in Long Island, we were hooked. Since then, Davison has been expanding rapidly and now supplies multiple Whole Foods and Gourmet Garage locations in the NY area. You can also order his delicious greens from organic home delivery service Rustic Roots Delivery (use code FOND to save 10% off your first two orders).

In spite of his busy schedule, Davison still makes time to give back to the community and we caught up with him this past weekend out at Rockaway Beach. Davison was posted up at Rockaway Beach’s 96th Street Relief Center where he spent the day offering educational microgreens demos in support of the building of a new community garden. Good Water Farms was at the event along with other local green business owners and artisans to help raise awareness for the garden build as well as educate locals on urban farming and the importance of sustainable food, fashion and other eco friendly products.

We were lucky enough to witness the excitement around the uber ladybug freeing (they are pollinators for the greens) as well as take home our own Sunflower microgreens pot which will begin producing the delicious edible greens in just a few days from the comfort of our NY apartments.

Read more about Brendan’s amazing story and his awesome path from Shaman to becoming a microgreens farmer on NPR. 

After demoing how to germinate and sprout the sunflower microgreens, Davison gifted Delma with her own take home pot of micgrogreens.
After demoing how to germinate and sprout the sunflower microgreens, Davison gifted Delma with her own take home pot of micgrogreens.

FOND headed out to Rockaway Beach to say hello to Good Water Farms and check out the festivities surrounding the build of the 96th Street Community Garden.
FOND headed out to Rockaway Beach to say hello to Good Water Farms and check out the festivities surrounding the build of the 96th Street Community Garden.

To Africa to Fight HIV

FOND Group recently teamed up to race the Two Oceans Ultramarathon in South Africa for one of its favorite causes: Grassrootsoccer.org (GRS). FOND assembled a team of 7 runners who raced a grueling 56km (35 mile) course along the stunning coast of Cape Town and raised over $75,000 to support GRS AIDS/HIV prevention programs in the process.

After the race, the group spent 10 days touring South Africa and Zimbabwe, visiting sites and soccer facilities where GRS teaches its Skillz Curriculum to at-risk youth with the goal of stopping the spread and reducing the stigma surrounding HIV. Team members visited GRS headquarters in downtown Cape Town to meet with its staff, interns and volunteers to share ideas and learn more about the recent growth within the organization.

Read more about the Two Oceans trip and how it came about on The Huffington Post.

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