Hawaii Man Tackles Gambling Addiction by Offering Free Surf Lessons

Buddy Wiggins lost everything to sports gambling, but found a new path by teaching strangers to surf for free.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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Buddy Wiggins, a 32-year-old pool cleaner from Honolulu, Hawaii, lost nearly everything due to a yearslong sports gambling addiction. In a radical change of direction, Wiggins now approaches strangers on Waikiki Beach and offers them free surf lessons through his "First Wave Project." Wiggins and his friends have helped around 100 people overcome their fears and ride the waves, providing them with a confidence boost that lasts long after the lesson.

Why it matters

Wiggins' story highlights the power of finding a positive outlet to overcome addiction. By sharing his passion for surfing with others, he has not only helped build their confidence, but also found a way to rebuild his own life after the devastating effects of gambling. His initiative provides a model for how those struggling with addiction can turn their lives around by focusing on helping others.

The details

After losing nearly everything to his sports gambling addiction, Wiggins says he heard a "calling" to take his life in a radically different direction. Twice a week, he and a couple of friends approach strangers on Waikiki Beach who have never surfed before and offer them free surf lessons. The students, like Quest Douglass and Manny Fernandez, say the experience gave them a confidence boost they hadn't felt in years. Wiggins does it for free because it provides him "the feeling of giving" and helps him overcome his own struggles.

  • Wiggins started the "First Wave Project" in early 2026.

The players

Buddy Wiggins

A 32-year-old pool cleaner from Honolulu, Hawaii who lost nearly everything due to a yearslong sports gambling addiction, but now offers free surf lessons to strangers through his "First Wave Project".

Quest Douglass

A surfing student who participated in Wiggins' free surf lessons and said the experience gave him a confidence boost he hadn't felt in years.

Manny Fernandez

Another surfing student who took part in Wiggins' free lessons and said they provided him with a confidence he hadn't had since his 30s.

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What they’re saying

“The energy that they had made you feel like you could do exactly what he was saying.”

— Quest Douglass, Surfing Student (CBS News)

“They gave me a confidence that I haven't had since I was in my 30s.”

— Manny Fernandez, Surfing Student (CBS News)

What’s next

Wiggins plans to continue offering free surf lessons through the "First Wave Project" twice a week on Waikiki Beach, with the goal of helping more people overcome their fears and build confidence.

The takeaway

Wiggins' story demonstrates how finding a positive, purpose-driven outlet can be a powerful tool for overcoming addiction. By sharing his passion for surfing with strangers, he has not only helped build their confidence, but also found a meaningful way to rebuild his own life after the devastating effects of gambling.