A lost surfboard from Hawaii surfer recovered 5,200 miles away after two years in the Philippines

 A lost surfboard two years ago from a Hawaii man has been recovered 5,200 miles away in Sirangani, Philippines. 

Hawaii-based photographer Doug Falter said he was surfing in February 2018 when he got separated with his surfboard after a leash came loose from his ankle and the board was carried away by the waves.

" I swam as hard as I could to try and get to it. I ran from one end of Waimea Bay across to the other side and scaled the rocks trying to get a visual until it was completely dark,"  Falter said on his Facebook post.

Source: Doug Falter Photography / Facebook

The 35-year-old surfer eventually gave up hope of finding his lost surfboard after a two long years. Until recently he learned that his board was recovered in the Philippines, 5,200 miles away. According to Falter, the man in the Philippines who is learning the sport bought his lost board from a fisherman. 

"As bummed as I was when I lost it, now I am happy to know my board fell into the hands of someone wanting to learn the sport," he said. 

View this post on Instagram

LOST BOARD!!! - While surfing Waimea yesterday my leash came off and I couldn’t catch up to my board in time before it floated off into the channel and kept goin. If anyone sees or hears anything about a light blue @lylecarlsonsurfboards washed up on the beach or rocks please DM or call me at (614) 580-3100 - This was my only big wave board! 😭 If anyone feels like reposting or sharing on their story I would be forever grateful. I last saw it floating really close to the rocks on the left side of Waimea Bay just before dark at around 6:45pm. There is a good chance it could be washed up between Waimea and Haleiwa Harbor. It could definitely be around Alligators, Lanis, Hultons area as Ive heard or boards washing up around there before. Keeping my fingers 🤞🏽

A post shared by Doug Falter (@dougfalter) on Feb 4, 2018 at 10:24am PST

Falter was overjoyed upon learning that his surfboard was in good hands. He is hoping to eventually visit the Philippines to offer his professional lessons for Giovanne and to his students.

"I could teach him how to surf and hopefully a few of his 144 students. He is in charge of a school on the islands where my board is and i’m sure some of the kids would love to learn," he continued.

Falter said he is now raising money to send some surfing stuff to Giovanne.