The new owner of the lost board is the elementary school teacher Giovanne Branzuela, who is just learning to surf. He bought a board from a neighbor a few months ago for 2,000 pesos (940 crowns).
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Philippine fishermen caught them from the sea in August 2018, six months after Falter swam. Even though it was heavily beaten, Hawaiian manufacturer Lyle Carlson’s mark was still legible on it.
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Branzuela is honest and sent a photo of his newly acquired board to the manufacturer. Carlson then shared the image on the instagram, where he mentioned the owner of Falter.
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“It was a board from Hawaii, I couldn’t believe it,” admits the 38-year-old Filipino.
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Falter couldn’t believe it either. “When I saw the photo, I thought it was a joke,” AFP was quoted as saying.
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He will go for the board
The 35-year-old American began surfing in Florida 15 years ago and eventually settled in Hawaii. He is involved in this sport in high waves. He will go to the Philippine Isle for his board as soon as the restrictions imposed by coronavirus allow. “I’ve done a lot with him, he’s very important to me,” he admitted.
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It was with this board that Falter completed a race in 2016 in memory of surfer Eddie Aikau in Waimea Bay on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. The waves were then higher than 20 meters.
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Falter wants to take his board back, but he offers Branzuela a replacement for beginners and he also gives him a few lessons. Before he can go to see him, he is currently assembling a collection for Branzuela’s school.
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