The Willis Brothers Think Waves Lifesaving Organization
Imagine standing on the shoreline, watching the ocean’s powerful waves roll in. For many, this sight is both awe-inspiring and intimidating—especially when considering the unseen dangers lurking just beneath the surface, like rip currents. Rip currents are responsible for countless rescues and drownings every year, even at beaches patrolled by lifeguards. But what if there was a way to transform fear into understanding, panic into preparedness, and danger into safety? That’s exactly what the Willis Brothers Think Waves Lifesaving Organization does.
The Founding of Think Waves: Surfers with a Mission
Think Waves was founded by twin brothers Milton Willis and Michael Willis, both renowned surfers and officially recognized lifesavers. Their journey began after hearing about multiple drownings at various beaches, including those with lifeguard supervision. The Willis brothers saw a recurring pattern: a lack of awareness and education about rip currents was leading to unnecessary tragedy. Inspired by their own experiences as big wave surfers and their deep respect for the ocean, they launched Think Waves with an ambitious vision—to educate the public and reduce the number of rescues and drownings worldwide.
The Willis brothers are not just any surfers. They are renowned for their pioneering achievements in big wave surfing, most notably during Hawaii’s historic “Condition Black” in 1998, where they surfed the largest waves ever documented. Their expertise and passion for the ocean led them to become advocates for updated rip current safety protocols, sharing their knowledge through workshops, public campaigns, and a unique philosophy called “The Surfers Way” inspired by legendary waterman Eddie Aikau.
The Mission: Removing Fear, Spreading Knowledge
At its core, Think Waves Lifesaving Organization is dedicated to removing the fear, panic, and misinformation associated with rip currents and replacing them with clear, accurate information and practical strategies. Their mission is to empower beachgoers and surfers alike with the knowledge and confidence needed to safely navigate ocean conditions.
The Willis Brothers Think Waves’ approach is rooted in “The Surfers Way,” a mindset that teaches people to understand and respect the ocean’s rhythms rather than fear them. Experienced surfers know that rip currents are not inherently dangerous—they are simply part of the ocean’s natural flow. The real danger lies in panic, fear, and a lack of awareness. By teaching people how to spot, avoid, and escape rip currents, Think Waves helps prevent drowning and reduce the need for rescues.
The Surfers Way: A Lifesaving Philosophy
What exactly is “The Surfers Way”? It’s a combination of mental and physical strategies that surfers use to navigate dangerous ocean conditions. Experienced surfers know that rip currents are just ocean currents heading away from shore, often caused by waves moving toward the beach. The bigger the waves, the stronger the rip currents. Sometimes these currents are stationary; other times, they form unexpectedly.
Surfers have long used rip currents to their advantage, allowing the current to carry them beyond the breaking waves so they can catch the next ride in. They know that rip currents don’t pull swimmers under and rarely take them much farther out than the breaking waves. The key is to stay calm, understand how rip currents work, and use that knowledge to stay safe.
Think Waves’ educational initiatives focus on spreading this knowledge to everyone, not just surfers. Their programs include interactive learning tools, videos, public awareness campaigns, community research, and global ocean safety campaigns. These efforts are designed to reach hundreds of thousands of people each year, making the ocean a safer place for all.
Impact and Reach: Making Waves Worldwide
Since its founding, the Willis Brothers Think Waves has made a significant impact on ocean safety. Their educational platforms and public awareness campaigns have reached tens of thousands of surfers and beachgoers, helping them have a safer and more enjoyable ocean experience. The organization’s programs are designed to reduce rescues, prevent drowning, and update ocean safety policies on a global scale.
Think Waves’ work is supported by individual contributions and the sale of merchandise, with all profits going directly to fund educational campaigns, workshops, and public outreach efforts. This sustainable model ensures that the Willis brothers can continue to share their lifesaving experiences and promote “The Surfers Way” to as many people as possible.
A Compelling Reason to Donate: Saving
Lives and Empowering Communities
Why should you donate to Think Waves Lifesaving Organization? The answer is simple: your support saves lives and empowers communities.
Every year, lifeguards in the United States perform over 100,000 rescues, many of which involve swimmers caught in rip currents or panicking in the water. While there are no exact statistics on how many rescues could be prevented with widespread knowledge of “The Surfers Way,” experts agree that prevention and education could significantly reduce the number of incidents—potentially by tens of thousands of cases per year.
By donating to Think Waves, you are helping to fund educational platforms, interactive learning tools, public awareness campaigns, and community research that make the ocean safer for everyone. Your contribution supports the Willis brothers’ mission to remove fear and misinformation from the conversation about rip currents and replace it with knowledge and confidence.
Think Waves is more than just an organization—it’s a movement. It’s about changing the way people think about the ocean and empowering them with the tools they need to stay safe. Whether you’re a surfer, a swimmer, or simply someone who loves the beach, Think Waves’ message is for you.
Conclusion: Ride the Wave of Change
Think Waves Lifesaving Organization is making a real difference in the world of ocean safety. Founded by experienced surfers and lifesavers Milton and Michael Willis, the organization is dedicated to removing fear and misinformation about rip currents and replacing them with clear, accurate information and practical strategies. Through “The Surfers Way,” Think Waves empowers people to understand and respect the ocean, reducing rescues and preventing drownings worldwide.
Your support is crucial to the success of this mission. By donating to Think Waves, you are helping to save lives, educate communities, and make the ocean a safer place for everyone. Join the movement, ride the wave of change, and help Think Waves continue their lifesaving work.
Visit thinkwaves.org to learn more, get involved, or make a donation today.
Summary of Key Points:
• Founding: Think Waves was founded by Milton and Michael Willis, experienced surfers and lifesavers, after witnessing preventable drownings on guarded beaches.
• Mission: The organization removes fear and misinformation about rip currents, replacing them with knowledge and practical strategies—known as “The Surfers Way”.
• Impact: The Willis Brothers Think Waves’ educational programs reach thousands worldwide, reducing rescues and preventing drownings.
• Why Donate: Your support funds lifesaving education and outreach, empowering communities and making the ocean safer for everyone.
Support the Willis Brothers Think Waves—because every life saved starts with knowledge and understanding and the life that you help save may be someone you personally know and love.
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