Poland’s Hurkacz to Fund Flood Victims with Each Ace He Hits

This photo provided by the state company Polish Waters shows the Oder River flood waters channelled into and contained by the newly-built Lower Raciborz Reservoir that has spared the cities of Opole and Wroclaw from flooding, in Raciborz, southwestern Poland, Sept. 16, 2024. (Polish Waters via AP)
This photo provided by the state company Polish Waters shows the Oder River flood waters channelled into and contained by the newly-built Lower Raciborz Reservoir that has spared the cities of Opole and Wroclaw from flooding, in Raciborz, southwestern Poland, Sept. 16, 2024. (Polish Waters via AP)
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Poland’s Hurkacz to Fund Flood Victims with Each Ace He Hits

This photo provided by the state company Polish Waters shows the Oder River flood waters channelled into and contained by the newly-built Lower Raciborz Reservoir that has spared the cities of Opole and Wroclaw from flooding, in Raciborz, southwestern Poland, Sept. 16, 2024. (Polish Waters via AP)
This photo provided by the state company Polish Waters shows the Oder River flood waters channelled into and contained by the newly-built Lower Raciborz Reservoir that has spared the cities of Opole and Wroclaw from flooding, in Raciborz, southwestern Poland, Sept. 16, 2024. (Polish Waters via AP)

World number eight Hubert Hurkacz said on Tuesday he will donate 100 euros to Poland flood victims for every ace he hits until the end of the season.

At least 23 people died across central Europe this week due to the worst floods the region has seen in two decades. The areas along the Czech-Polish border have been particularly hard hit since the weekend.

In the 2023 season, the pole became a part of an exclusive club of nine players who have achieved the extraordinary feat of serving 1,000 plus aces during an ATP Tour season.

"I will be donating 100 Euros for every ace I hit to support those affected by the devastating floods in Poland. For me, sport is not just a competition, but also a platform to drive impact. #acesforaid," Hurkacz wrote on X on Tuesday.

The floods have left trail of destruction from Romania to Poland, spreading mud and debris in towns, destroying bridges, submerging cars and leaving authorities and householders with a bill for damages that will run into billions of dollars.

Poland will mobilize up to 23 billion zlotys ($6.02 billion) some of it from the European Union, to deal with the aftermath of severe flooding, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Tuesday.

Hurkacz is seeded second in the Tokyo Open and will face American Marcos Giron in the round of 32 on Wednesday.



Silver Surfers Mass for Record Bid in Brazil

 Drone picture of surfers trying to ride the same wave to break the Guinness World Record, in Santos, Brazil November 10, 2024. (Reuters)
Drone picture of surfers trying to ride the same wave to break the Guinness World Record, in Santos, Brazil November 10, 2024. (Reuters)
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Silver Surfers Mass for Record Bid in Brazil

 Drone picture of surfers trying to ride the same wave to break the Guinness World Record, in Santos, Brazil November 10, 2024. (Reuters)
Drone picture of surfers trying to ride the same wave to break the Guinness World Record, in Santos, Brazil November 10, 2024. (Reuters)

Three hundred surfers over the age of 50 gathered at the weekend in Santos, Sao Paulo to attempt a world record for the most people riding the same wave.

Participants, many of whom took up surfing later in life, arrived early, eager to hit the water.

"I had a crazy desire to learn (to surf) and when I started, I couldn't stop," said Christiane Melin. "It's an addiction, but an addiction that's really good. It's a really great sensation to ride the waves."

The event, organized by a local surf school specializing in teaching older adults, emphasized community and well-being.

"This is a great example to show the world the importance that, after the pandemic and beyond politics, we can all be together on the same wave," said organizer Cisco Arana.

Though the group fell short of breaking the record - 98 surfers managed to ride a wave together, shy of the 110 achieved in South Africa in 2009 - the event highlighted the transformative power of the sport.

"There were some people who were retired and were a bit idle, there were people with depression, there were people with problems, and then they started to get into surfing," said Marco Horta, a retiree.

"While surfing in nature, people talked, made friends and started to be happy."