This is something that's only obliquely surfing related, however I thought people might be interested (it's a bit of a long story, but stick with it 🙂 )

Part 1: When I was surfing at Croyde last week, I managed to flatten the battery on my car fob (I'd lain on it in the Aquapac inside my wetsuit) and had all sorts of problems getting into the car.

So I went to a local supermarket to see if they carried spare batteries. They didn't, but a bloke behind the counter said "I'm a nice guy, I think I've got one in my car, hang on..."

A few minutes later he comes back with the battery, so I say "What do I owe you?"

He says "Don't worry about it."

So I said "Ok, how about I give some money to the RNLI?"

"Sure," he says.

(The RNLI is the Royal National Lifeboat Institution whose volunteers are present on Croyde Beach during the daytime in the summer to help surfers and bathers.)

So, no problems, I make a note to do this...

Part 2: Yesterday, on X/Twitter, someone made an obscure and arcane reference in a reply. I happened to recognise what they were talking about and made a joking response in a similar vein.

To my amazement they then said "I'd made myself a deal that if anyone got one of my references, I'd donate $100 to their favourite (genuine) charity."

"Seriously?!"

"Yes."

"Ok, give to the RNLI!"

So, because a random guy did a stranger a favour, the UK's water safety charity is now $100 better off!

AWESOME! 🤙