Save the Waves
“Why not have surf breaks, famous, great breaks like Jeffery’s Bay, Rincon and Malibu as [UNESCO] World Heritage Sites so that the whole world sees their value and wants to protect them?”
Yvon Chouinard, Patagonia founder and Save the Waves supporter, via Save the Wave Coalition.
I have been involved with the ocean through surfing since I was a teenager. I can still remember epic surf sessions I had twenty years ago on empty beaches on the North Coast of New South Wales, Australia. Those sessions are as clear to me as more recent surfing sessions in the Maldives. For some, surfing may be seen as someone merely riding a wave. For me, surfing goes far beyond that.
Surfing is about watching the first rays of light hit the ocean surface as I’m paddling out for my first wave of the day; it is about sitting on my board chatting with fellow surfers between waves; it is about watching a pod of dolphins ride an empty wave and at times, it is about getting dragged across a coral reef and being reminded about the sheer power of the ocean.
Surfing and the ocean rejuvenates me. The simple act of surfing connects me to a part of the natural world that I love – ocean’s and coastlines.
Like many things of value, famous and not so famous surf breaks are often threatened by our development and an ‘out of sight, out of mind’ approach to the environment.
As individuals’ our voices are often lost in the crowd. As a united group we can influence and affect change.
If you are a surfer, an ocean swimmer or even a person that regularly visits your local beach, then I encourage you to become a member of Save the Wave Coalition, a body that is helping fight the good fight for threatened surf breaks around the world. Check out their Campaign page to find out how you can get involved in your local area.
Patagonia, a supporter of Save The Waves, has just released their 2010 Surfing Catalogue online. While the catalogue has some of the best surfing photos you can imagine, it also has a focus on Save the Waves. Well worth a look.
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