ocean activism

  Dolphins are world leaders in ocean activism.  In the Flipper TV series, in pools around the globe, and in their natural ocean environment they have made eloquent appeal to humans since man first recorded their presence in legends, cave paintings and sculpture.  Dolphins, whales and killer whales are probably our equal in intelligence, lacking only hands with which to transform their world.
  Man, mano, means hand, and hands have been our toolway to world domination.  If we align with dolphins and lend our handyman’s hands to a collective surfers vision, we can keep the oceans alive: clean, safe, healthy and abundant enough for everyone.

Thar she blows!

Barnacle covered mom and smooth calf get a pat.

A newborn gray, slippery and shiney.

A pod at San Ignacio.

  The California gray whale is one of earth’s most intelligent creatures.  With sophisticated sounding capabilities and highly developed eyes, ears and vocal communication, they navigate 6000 miles every year from Siberia to Baja California to give birth to and train their young in placid, warm-water lagoons like Scammons and San Ignacio.  Known to whalers as Devilfish, for their deadly, splintering attacks on longboats and mother ships when harpooned, grays were the most feared of the great cetaceans. When these naturally peaceful creatures realized that they were no longer hunted by man, about thirty years ago they voluntarily made friends with the fishermen of San Ignacio.  Each spring the same mothers bring their new calves to present to their human friends like proud parents in any neighborhood.
  If you visit Laguna San Ignacio in February, March or April, you can meet these great mammals, look into their unblinking, intelligent eyes and rub their gums, which they enjoy, an unforgettable experience.  If you are a surfer on the west coast and see a gray whale, give her a hum and a shaka.  Big as they are, they have perfect control of every inch of their bodies and can come incredibly close without touching you.  But keep your distance when they are teaching the kids to jump and tail slap!

All Hands On Deck

The definitive book on the Gray Whale.

  Six years ago, East Cape Baja resident Dick Russell, OB surfer Serge Dedina of Wildcoast, NRDC’s Bobby Kennedy Jr., the Surfrider Foundation, along with Mexican environmentalists like the Grupo de los Cien, were instrumental in stopping a huge salt factory proposed for San Ignacio Lagoon.  The Mexican President visited the friendly whales with his family and the government declared permanent protection for the lagoon.  This was a huge victory for the ocean and for shoreline conservancy. Surfers can be proud of their part in the united push.  (Needless to say there are nearby surf spots!)  NRDC is now leading a purchase of the development rights to land surrounding the lagoon to ensure that it remains safe forever for whale breeding.  You can donate to this good cause at nrdc.com.

D’ air force

Captive dolphins, like landlocked surfers, have no waves to ride.  But they quickly learn to boost big air in pools, just for the joy of it – to feel the exhilaration of floating free, and to get a glimpse of Rabbit Island and the open ocean!  Whether you surf, skate, snow or kite board, imagine these dolphin when you are flying high…and how they ache for the cool clean sea. 

These ocean action groups all do great work to research, educate, protect and heal the oceans.
Check them out.  Jump in and join them.

SURFRIDER FOUNDATION  WILDCOAST.NET  SUSTAINABILITY  SURFERS FOR CETACEANS 
SURFERS AGAINST SEWERAGE  KAHEA  OCEAN INSTITUTE  HEAL THE BAY  NRDC
ORANGE COUNTY COAST KEEPER  ALASKA WILDERNESS LEAGUE  REEF CHECK  SIERRA CLUB
SAVE THE WAVES COALITION  SINADES  AGALITA MARINE RESEARCH FOUNDATION
EDEN PROJECT  SEYMOUR MARINE DISCOVERY CENTER  NORTH SHORE COMMUNITY LAND TRUST  

Net profit the party earns will go to these groups thru our foundation, thesurfersparty.org.

TheSurfersParty

cutback | next section | float to party