Rob Machado Drifts Into Aspen

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Stella Kaplan

Rob Machado answering Aspen’s surf community’s questions about his surf movie and his humanitarian work.

On February 6th World Champion surfer, Rob Machado drifted into Aspen in support of Aspen High’s H2O Club.

The H2O Club has been working all year to raise money for water filters by selling re-usable water canteens.  In selling reusable bottles, the club is also trying to eliminate the use of plastic water bottles in the high school.  To show his support for the club and its mission, Rob traveled all the way from San Diego, California, in a huge snowstorm to come and meet the club and show his appreciation for their efforts.

Rob Machado, known for his graceful maneuvers through all kinds of waves, is not only an impressive surfer but a committed humanitarian. Rob is the face and leader for all kinds of service projects, one of which includes the H2O Club or more widely known as Hydration Nation.  Hydration Nation provides the water bottles for our local H2O Club and also funds our soon-to-be installed water bottle refill stations.  Since Rob is the leader of the H2O clubs all over the nation, it was a huge opportunity and privilege that he came all the way to the Rocky Mountains to support our local club.

“We are beyond appreciative for Rob coming to Aspen.  He left a huge swell in California and his newborn baby to come and show his support for our club.  We cannot thank him enough for coming out here,” senior and co-leader of the club and my brother Eli Kaplan said.

The H2O Club used his being here as a fundraising opportunity.  We threw a movie showing/signing at the Limelight Hotel on the evening of February 6th.  We showed Rob Machado’s movie The Drifter, about him and his experiences surfing all over Indonesia.  Rob Machado arrived late on February 6th due to weather and so Kaplan stalled by sharing his story of meeting Rob and the Nicaragua service/surf movie was shown.

This film included footage of Rob Machado and his crew with H2O Club members based out of California distributing water filters in Nicaragua alongside shots of Rob Machado surfing epic waves in Nicaragua.  After the movie ended, Rob Machado made his highly anticipated arrival.  He spoke for 30 minutes about his experiences and took time to answer numerous questions.  He then signed water bottles, took photos and spoke with people individually after the showing.  He charmed people with his humble, caring personality and his full head of dreadlocked hair.

“When first meeting him I did not realize he was one of the best surfers in the world.  The most impressive thing about the guy is that he is able to maintain such a nice, chill persona while still being such a legendary surfer,” junior Alex Reagen said.

Rob Machado’s trip did not end here, after a long day of traveling, a successful fundraising event and a good night sleep Rob Machado came to Aspen High School to tell students about his mission.

He briefly spoke at the High School assembly on February 7th.

“I knew that the H2O club had great goals but after hearing Rob speak at our assembly and hearing his story I want to become a more active member of the H2O Club and help eliminate plastic water bottles from Aspen High School,” senior Hannah Dodge said.

Rob Machado’s short trip to Aspen was a big success.  He put a fire behind the H2O Club to continue fundraising and working to eliminate plastic water bottles and provide clean water to people all around the world.  I know, because I am co-chair of this Club and found Rob Machado to be truly inspiring.  His being here raised over $4,000 for the H2O Club.

“I’m just hear to help out,” humanitarian Rob Machado said after the assembly on February 7th.