Shaping Room

Protege Tu Arrecife

Protect Your Reef

This mantra is gaining momentum in Rincón, Puerto Rico and elsewhere on the island. Check out the website to learn more about Coralino, his inspiration and his message: http://www.surfrider.org/coralino/

Super-activist Annette Blasini has been working with local school children to create this beautiful mosaic in Rincón to spread the message while also recycling tiles donated from local businesses. Each week the children come by and learn about the art of creating a mosiac, learn about the special Elkhorn reefs found in Rincón and help spread the word about protecting coral reefs.

Click here to learn more about the Salva Tres Palmas campaign

Peter Cole: Power of One

I’ve never been impressed by famous people or celebrities. Tom Hanks could sit next to me and I seriously wouldn’t care. That said, in the days before I came on as Executive Director some names were mentioned that did matter to me. People that pioneered the sport of surfing hold a very special place in my value system. Peter Cole is one of those people.

On my recent trip to Oahu to work with our local chapter as well as assist with the North Shore Land Trust efforts with Pupukea I met with Peter. Meeting and talking with pioneers is an honor and a privilege but what I’ve found more times than not is that they are people just like you or I. The difference is that they were around at a time before things we’re as “mature” (or commercialized) as they are now. Much more importantly is the fact that the pioneers “acted” on opportunities. They didn’t sit around and talk… they went. They did things that hadn’t been done before. They paved the way for the rest of us. For me the crème of this crop are those that continue to be involved, continue to make an impact… continue to care and… act. It’s much easier to be a one-trick pony, make a mark in one area and rest on your laurels… Those that continue to make marks are the true leaders. Peter Cole is one of those people.

- He was one of the original crews to charge the North Shore, starting in 1958
- He had Gerry Lopez in his class at Punahou school
- Has surfed the North Shore, continuously, for almost 50 years
- He still surfs Sunset Beach… without a leash
- Won the 1958 Makaha International Surfing Contest

More than any of those single points Peter is still involved. He still gives a damn about what’s happening to the world around him and goes one better… he acts. Peter leads the Surfrider Foundation’s Oahu chapter through the many mine fields involved in paying attention to key issues such as the proposed Sharks Cove mall on the North Shore, the development of large condos at Point Panic in Kaka’ako, the preservation or Pupukea – Paumalu, the John Kelly awards and paying close attention to the possible future development of Waimea Valley (link).

Peter Cole is not only aware of what’s happening around him but he’s leading the way for others to follow.
Thanks Peter.

Jim Moriarty
Executive Director

Beachscape Day on the Jersey Shore

We were overwhelmed by volunteers yesterday.  Yes, overwhelmed.  You see, the Jersey Shore Chapter had planned a little “Beachscape Day” on a stretch of coast scheduled for a massive beach replenishment project courtesy of the Army Corps of Engineers. There are few people in the chapter very familiar with Beachscape like Joe Mairo, Robin Bowden, and Dan Balderose, but naturally we wanted to get more locals involved.  As you know, Beachscape is Surfrider’s community based coastal mapping program, and a heck of a good way to find out what a beach has to offer before it is buried under tons of sand.  Speaking of buried, that how we felt when 50 people showed up.  We had felt so prepared with 20 copies of everything, oh well.  So we have 50 people in an office built for two, and we are all inside because it was 30 degrees outside with 20mph wind. 

Joe Mairo, above, explains the finer points of Beachscape to a packed house. Photo Jack Reynolds

But nobody got discouraged.  After a quick trip out for more supplies, we were ready to go.  The rest of the day went off without a hitch. 

Tales of the Tape. Dave Werner, Brian Coen and Rich Huegi get the story on LBI beaches.  Photo, Ann Coen.

It was incredibly uplifting that 50 people showed up on a cold Saturday to help us get the info we need to hopefully modify this beach fill project.  But even more notable is the outpouring of resources of all kinds that were offered in relation to our Beachscape Day.  Ann and Jon Coen offered their office for starters.  Mark Tesi had the Army Corp’s plans scanned and digitized, Dave Werner brought several 100 meter surveying tapes and some hand-held GPS units, Scott Larew brought still more GPS units and some awesome aerial photography of the area; printed and on disk!  Jack Reynolds donated the extra copies, Tom Quinn offered to get our finalized Beachscape product printed on a high end printer, and Rich Huegi offered to do the important data entry work turning our paperwork into a database.

It was as it should be; a community of people coming together to protect what they love. It proved what Surfrider often says, give volunteers something to do and they’ll do it.  And better yet they will figure out how their own special talents and the resources at their disposal can help get it done.

John Weber   

Campaign for Pupukea / Online Auction / Buy Jack's guitar

Ever wanted to buy Jack Johnson's guitar? Now is your chance.

You have probably heard of the Pupukea / North Shore protection campaign, if not check here.

Now you can participate via online auction. Check here.

Some great pieces being auctioned off for a very worthy cause.

More facts.

To bypass the auction and just give to the cause directly, go here.

Global Warming Protest from SAS

Our friends in the U.K., Surfers Against Sewage (SAS), continue with their high visability and effective protests.  This time it's "Global Warming is not cool!"

SAS spent December 3 in London as part of an International Day of Climate Protest. Immersing themselves in green wetsuits and face paint to symbolise the environment and carrying boards as placards they marched across London with an estimated 10,000 people. Their board placards reinforced calls to see CO2 emissions reduced and a need to embrace cleaner, safer energy options such as marine renewables.

The International Day of Climate Protest took place midway through the UN "MOP" Climate Talks in Montreal, and saw demonstrations in 30 cities from London to Sydney. The demonstrations demanded that the USA and Australia ratify the Kyoto Protocol immediately and that the entire world community move as rapidly as possible to a stronger emissions reductions treaty that will be both equitable and effective in stabilizing 'greenhouse' gases and preventing dangerous climate change.