In this episode of The Buoy Report Podcast, I sit down with Claude Graves, the visionary co-founder of NIHI Sumba (formerly Nihiwatu) and The Sumba Foundation. What started as a surf trip to a remote Indonesian island turned into a decades-long mission: building one of the world’s top eco-resorts and launching a foundation that has transformed the lives of thousands on Sumba.

Claude shares the journey from pitching tents on the beach to creating a new model of luxury hospitality rooted in community, sustainability, and purpose. We talk about chasing perfect waves, tackling malaria and clean water access, and how adventure can evolve into a lasting movement of impact.

This is a story for surfers, travelers, and changemakers alike — proof that the pursuit of passion can ripple far beyond the lineup.

Key Themes

* Surfing Sumba: discovering perfect waves in the late ’80s

* Building NIHI Sumba into one of the world’s leading eco-resorts

* Founding The Sumba Foundation and fighting malaria, hunger, and lack of clean water

* How luxury travel can fund meaningful community change

* Lessons for anyone trying to build projects that give back

About The Buoy Report

The Buoy Report is where energy, waves, and resilience meet. Hosted by Shaun Lopez, big wave surfer and renewable energy engineer, the podcast explores the forces that move our world — from ocean swells to sustainable systems — and the people who ride them.

👉 Subscribe to get new episodes and field notes delivered directly to your inbox.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shaunlopez.substack.com