Surfboards, Autism, Pearl Jam and Incubus
Surfboards, Autism, Pearl Jam and Incubus
Thank god for surfers. Sometimes I feel if it weren’t for them, we wouldn’t be harnessing the healing powers of the ocean or tackling the environmental issues that stem from polluted waters. But we are, thanks in part to two surf related organizations that are leading the pack.
First, the Surfrider Foundation. This organization is dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s oceans through conservation, activism, research and education…its represented by over 50,000 members and 60+ local chapters in the U.S., with affiliations in Australia, Japan, France, and Brazil…and mark your calendars kids because on October 9 in Los Angeles, they are celebrating their 25th anniversary in style by awarding the ‘Surfriders Keeper of the Coast Award’ to Incubus AND Pearl Jam. This award is only given out once every five years to celebrities who have made significant contributions towards helping the foundation fulfill its mission. Joining Pearl Jam and Incubus at the bash? Baywatch actor David Chokachi, and a performance by the legendary Camp Freddy (featuring members from Jane’s Addiction, the Cult and Guns n’ Roses)…get your tickets HERE.
The second organization which is transforming lives-literally-is Surfers Healing. If you’re a regular reader, you should know by now that Surfers Healing was founded by Izzy and Danielle Paskowitz after their son Isaiah was diagnosed with autism. Soon, they realized the only place where Isaiah seemed to find respite was the ocean…so Izzy took Isaiah out surfing, (sharing the same board) and it had such a profound impact on Isaiah that Izzy and his wife decided they wanted to share this unique therapy with other autistic children…they soon began hosting day camps at the beach where autistic children and their families could be exposed to a completely new experience of surfing-and today, its one of the most recognized surf related organizations to spread love to autistic kids coast-to-coast. Most recently, you may recall, it was giving a massive dose of love from Flea during the Liquid Nation Ball.
And it’s not just Flea stepping up to support Izzy and his organization… surf legends such as Kelly Slater, Laird Hamilton, Matt Archbold, Makua Rothman, Sunny Garcia, Garrett McNamarra, Dustin Barca, Michael and Dereck Ho, Shane and Gavin Beshen, the Malloy Brothers, Shaun Tomson, Joel Tudor, Nathan Fletcher and Timmy Patterson, have all recently stepped up and donated surfboards and surf memorabilia to be auctioned off the top the Ritz-Carlton, (Laguna), during the Second Annual Holiday Surfboard Auction to benefit Surfers Healing. Several celebrities, including Scott Caan, Benjiman Bratt and Robert Hays, also signed boards and items…All surf items will be on display from Sunday, November 22 through December 31, 2009 with the bidding closing at noon on December 31, 2009. For more info, please visit SurfersHealing.org.
As always, thanks for reading. Delinda@athlebrities.com
Laird Hamilton Tackles 110-Mile Stand Up Paddle for a Cure
Laird Hamilton Tackles 110-Mile Stand Up Paddle for a Cure
Big wave surfer Laird Hamilton is at it again…hot stuff and three other members of ‘Team Surfing USA’ are competing in a 110-mile stand-up paddle to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The hotties left Malibu on Thursday-taking turns on the paddle- and were set to land in Oceanside this morning…their arrival marks the first segment of a three-leg, 3,900 mile journey across the country as part of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s “Pipeline to a Cure” campaign to fund research into the disease.
They are scheduled to leave Oceanside on Saturday for a round-the-clock, cross- country bicycling trip to Annapolis, MD., before paddling 300 miles to New York City…its just a shame that more people weren’t made aware of this. A Google news search came back with a total of three articles in reference to Lairds current activity and back in 2006, the stud crossed the English Channel on his own signature board and paddle to raise awareness about autism.
Go get ‘em Laird, we see you now.
As always, thanks for reading. Delinda@athlebrities.com