A charity established in memory of the late Australian snowboarding champion Alex 'Chumpy' Pullin has been forced to retract a significant public statement, admitting it was mistaken about how half a million dollars from a marathon fundraising surf was spent.
Foundation's Erroneous Announcement Triggers Scrutiny
The Chumpy Pullin Foundation announced in March 2024 that 'all' of the $500,000 raised by surfing legend Blake Johnston during a world-record 40-hour surf had been donated to Swellbeing, a youth empowerment business run by Johnston himself. The celebratory social media post, marking a year since the feat, claimed the money was funding nature-based experiences for young people.
However, following enquiries from the Daily Mail, the charity deleted the post and conceded the announcement was "clearly a mistake." The foundation clarified that only $10,000 of the total $500,000 had actually been paid to Swellbeing to support a specific youth camp on the New South Wales South Coast.
Clarification and Closure of the Foundation
Lauren Johnston, wife of fundraiser Blake Johnston, contacted the Daily Mail to set the record straight. She confirmed the $10,000 donation helped 25 young people attend a camp involving ocean safety, swims, breathwork, and surf lessons. The remainder of the funds, she explained, covered the substantial costs of staging the world-record surf event, administration, staff, and contributions towards an unreleased documentary on mental health, rumoured to feature a Hemsworth brother.
The Chumpy Pullin Foundation was founded in 2020 after Pullin, a Winter Olympics flagbearer, tragically drowned while spearfishing aged 32. It was set up by his partner, Ellidy Pullin, and accountant Ben Johnston, Blake's brother. The charity, which initially focused on supporting aspiring snowboarders, announced its closure in December 2024, stating residual funds would be directed to youth mental health initiatives.
Legacy of a Fundraising Feat
Blake Johnston's gruelling 40-hour surf in 2023, during which he caught 707 waves, attracted widespread publicity and a $15,000 donation from NSW Premier Chris Minns. Johnston, who did not personally know Chumpy Pullin, undertook the challenge driven by a shared passion for the ocean and after his own father died by suicide around 2013.
Ellidy Pullin has stated she had little involvement in the foundation's daily operations. In 2021, she welcomed the couple's daughter, Minnie, via posthumous sperm retrieval and IVF. The foundation's final statement thanked supporters for keeping Chumpy's legacy alive through various programmes, including scholarships and wellness camps.
