Whenever we trade in an old year for a new one, it seems to wipe the proverbial slate clean. But on the east coast, that notion was somewhat thwarted by Hurricane Sandy and the destruction she left in her wake. But it's not as dismal as it sounds. Thanks to Jon Rose and Waves for Water, the people of the east coast are rallying around the New Year and charging ahead with their clean up efforts. Click 'Full Story' for photos and a personal address from Jon on all the victories being made daily in New York and New Jersey.

Jack Rose, Jon's dad, has been helping save lives around the world with Waves for Water. He just sent us an update from Haiti, where within the last two years there has been a Cholera epidemic affecting over 600,000 people and killing more than 7,500. All of this is a direct result of contaminated water. Jack, alongside the W4W team, has distributed and installed 80,000 clean-water systems (and they plan on doing thousands more in 2013). Looks like altruism is a dominant trait in the Rose family.

At first the US and North Korea seem like two places that couldn't be more different than one another — and on most levels they are. But after watching this video, you'll see that they are the same on the most important level: the human one. Because clean water is something that we all need, and being able to help another person, or receive help from another person, is an experience we can all appreciate. Jon Rose has taken the Waves for Water to some incredible places, but trust us, this one might have the most impact. Visit wavesforwater.org for more information on Jon's projects.

Good times at the Clark Little two year anniversary party of his North Shore gallery last night. Besides Clark being on hand to sign autographs and people being able to win a GoPro Hero 3 in a raffle, Kelly Slater auctioned off canvas prints with proceeds going to Waves For Water. Video: PK.

In the words of Waves for Water's Jon Rose, the Sandy relief project is, "indeed a marathon, not a sprint." 
Hurley is stoked to have helped rally this cause; a combination of our efforts, the sale of H2O Sandy Relief Tees, and generous support of the community has contributed to a half a million dollar donation to Waves for Water's program back east. In the meantime, the volunteers have been visiting the various local efforts, allocating transportation and vehicles, and enduring relentless post-disaster conditions. Amidst all this, the team brought in a food truck, bringing in top chefs from the area to feed over 500 people in Rockaway. This rolled into Thanksgiving, when they hosted a feast for a few hundred people in Far Rockaway. They also helped to facilitate one other Thanksgiving feast in Rockaway and one in LBI. Always humbled, Jon said "It is an absolute honor and privilege to be doing this work… and more importantly, to do it with such amazing people."

The Waves for Water volunteers have been working tirelessly to rebuild the New Jersey and New York coastline post-Hurricane Sandy. Their fearless leader, Jon Rose, took some time to fill in Outside Online on the foundation and the relief efforts taking place. Read Jon's interview at Outside Online.

Creators of the New Jersey surf documentary, Dark Fall, Andrew Gesler and Alex DePhillipo have been working hard to allocate donations for the coastal communities of the East Coast. They came to New Jersey hoping for big waves from the hurricane, but instead encountered "insurmountable destruction and devastation." They're encouraging any kind of help possible from the surfing community: clothes, blankets, monetary donations or helping hands. Check out their video here.

Jon Rose touched down in New Jersey this past Saturday and entered into a war zone… the pictures that we've seen look like a scene out of an apocalyptic movie. With the help of Sam Hammer, New Jersey surfing icon and chief Waves for Water volunteer, the team has made their way from Sea Side, NJ, to Staten Island, NY. The photos are both haunting and beautiful, showing altruism championing destruction. Click through to see through the lens of a Waves for Water volunteer in the face of Sandy's aftermath.

The effects of Hurricane Sandy have clearly been devastating to several communities along the eastern seaboard. We're getting the word out for our friends at Waves for Water who are heading to the front lines to help. Jon Rose and team are mobilizing surfers to head back east and rebuild these areas from the ground up, focusing on coastal areas in New Jersey and New York. Jon hopes for W4W to be "a vessel for the surf community to funnel their support through." The best way you can help right now is with a donation, but if you want to help out on-site (or just want to track the progress of their efforts), you can visit the Waves for Water website at www.wavesforwater.org.

Jon Rose and his thoughts on a place close to his heart, and the heart of Waves For Water: Bali. Good people, good work being done and, oh, a little cameo from Rob (on some way too fun-looking lefts). Press play now.