Celebrities Support Freedom for Sea Shepherd Founder Paul Watson
“I have been honored to serve the whales, dolphins, seals – and all the other creatures on this Earth. Their beauty, intelligence, strength, and spirit have inspired me. These beings have spoken to me, touched me, and I have been rewarded by friendship with many members of different species.” - Paul Watson
Sea Shepherd founder Paul Watson was arrested in Germany on May 13th in connection with an incident that took place with a Costa Rican fishing vessel back in 2002…its political and if we don’t pay attention, step-up and demand for his release, it may be the most devastating injustice we could have prevented.
Below is part of Our Captains blog post in reference to the incident…numerous celebrities are adding to the outcry for his freedom…Pamela Anderson, Pierce Brosnan, Brigitte Bardot, Michelle Rodriguez, John Paul DeJoria, Anthony Kiedis, Jose Bove, Daniel Cohn Bendit, Rutgar Hauer, Martin Sheen, Ian Somerhalder, Zach Callison, Perry Reeves, Bob Barker, Richard Dean Anderson, Kelly Slater, Xavier Rudd and the former Environment Ministers of Australia, British Columbia and Costa Rica.
Although released on bail, Watson faces an uphill battle…we need this man FREE to do what he does best, protect and save our sea life, hopefully most of you have seen his film ‘The Cove” and understand the importance of his freedom. I don’t write about him enough and couldn’t possibly cover each gift he has given to humanity. Again, this man is ‘necessary’ in all aspects of the word. Continue reading
Help Kelly Slater Save Our Oceans
June 8 is World Oceans Day and 11x ASP World Surfing Champion Kelly Slater agrees with me (indirectly of course) and is tired of the severe threats facing our oceans…pollution, overfishing and coastal development…it all takes it’s toll.
Help Save Our Oceans: http://www.nature.org/allhands/world-oceans-day.xml?src=%20s.tw.wod
As always, thanks for reading~
delinda@athlebrities.com
Surfers for Cetaceans: ‘Minds in The Water’
Surfers for Cetaceans: ‘Minds in The Water’
If ocean minded people are to pass on a sustainable culture then they must become responsible stewards of their coastal environment
~ Dave Rastovich
- Cetaceans: Any of various aquatic, chiefly marine mammals of the order Cetacea, including whales, dolphins, and porpoises, characterized by a nearly hairless body, anterior limbs modified into broad flippers, vestigial posterior limbs, a flat notched tail and an IQ higher than most Mensa members.
An amazing organization called ‘Surfers for Cetaceans’ has been making waves towards saving our sea-life and will be in the house for a kick-off screening of their documentary ‘Minds in The Water’ on Sept 29in Santa Barbara. (More dates here)
The documentary follows super-hot professional Free Surfer Dave ‘Rasta’ Rastovich and friends, including Hollywood’s Isabel Lucas and Hayden Panettiere, as they embark on an international mission to save dolphins, whales and the oceans we all share. Through a five-year adventure – from Australia to the Galapagos, Chile, California, Alaska and Japan – we see one surfer’s transformation from observer to activist in his desire to defend the seas and its inhabitants. (Note, if the above trailer didn’t tug at your heartstrings and inspire you in some way, then you are on the wrong blog.)
The film, which was critically received at its original North American premire in August, was backed by the Humane Society of the United States as the Festival’s Official Opening Night NGO Partner.
“The surfing community has such deep roots in Southern California,” said the films director Justin Krumb, “and so many people here care about the issues the oceans face, that we feel it’s an amazing opportunity to showcase what a few motivated people can accomplish with passionate determination.”
Rastovich hopes the film will inspire surfers around the world to take a deeper look at how they can do their part “to resolve human-created problems that exist in our most cherished aspect of life, namely the ocean.”
Considered me moved Rasta Dave.
As always, thanks for reading~
delinda@athlebrities.com
Surfers for Cetaceans (S4C) is committed to activating ocean-minded people everywhere to support the conservation and protection of whales, dolphins and their habitat. It’s through compassion, awareness, education, media and dedicated interventions that we operate. We seek to be a human voice for and defender of cetaceans worldwide. Co-founded in 2004 by Australian surfers/activists Dave Rastovich and Howie Cooke, S4C has grown worldwide, with offices in California and a grass roots following in Europe and South America.
22nd Annual Waterman’s Ball
22nd Annual Waterman’s Ball
Almost half a million dollars in net proceeds rolled in from the Surf Industry Manufacturers Association’s (SIMA) 22nd annual Waterman’s Weekend. The tight knit surfing community gathered Friday, at the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Nigel, to honor three very important members of their tribe. Greg Long, was awarded Watermen of the Year, former Malibu Mayor Jefferson “Zuma Jay” Wagner, for Environmentalist of the Year, and George Downing, with the Lifetime Achievement Award. All three individuals have helped change the face of the sport, the industry, and the ocean’s environment.
Athlebrities had a chance to speak with Greg Long, who was very humbled by his peers and the entire surf industries need to honor him for his actions in and out of the water. He also thanked his parents for installing morals and values early on, that have allowed him to live a good, clean, healthy life, and he encourages and continues to inspire others to do the same. When asked why the surf industry is much more into giving back Long explained,“it would just be naïve for people to think to be able to build such an amazing industry and not be giving back and protecting and preserving those same resources for the generations to come… I’m proud to say I am surfer and part of this kind of tribe, and it is just as much about giving back as receiving the joy that the ocean gives us.”
When asked what’s the one thing we could all do to support the Waterman’s cause Long answered, “I think the simple thing is to educate yourself and educate others and once you have that power behind yourself and others then your action will follow suite…it doesn’t take much to realize your obligation as a human being, not to just enjoy your time but, also to hope that others will as well and by educating yourself, it is the most powerful tool.” Greg also supports the Surfrider Foundation, Save the Waves Foundation, Waves for Water and the San Onofre Foundation.
While accepting his Lifetime Achievement Award, George Downing spoke of the three powers on Earth that he learned from legendary surfer John Kelly, the power of God, the power of money and people power. Downing explained, “Now God is so busy he cant pay attention to what we are trying to accomplish here, the legal aspects of what we do, ends up in the courts, and the more money you have the more you go in to courts, the only thing that we have is the power of people. When people get up and do those things that they want to accomplish, we will accomplish it.” He also gave thanks for all that Waikiki has given surfing and said to the crowd, “So, always remember to take care of Waikiki, I leave that in your hands…we’ve got a wonderful sport, take care of it, it nurtures itself if we take care of the facilities that make it all happen.”
The purpose and most important objective of gathering the surf community and 200 member brands that represent SIMA, is giving back and helping to protect the very thing that gives them an industry in the first place, the ocean. Hosted by the wonderful and talented Sal Masekela, this years festivities set a Waterman’s record raising close to $400,000 for SIMA’s beneficiaries.
-Jessica Hernandez
SIMA’s Waterman’s Ball
SIMA’s Waterman’s Ball
On Friday night, SIMA held their 22nd annual Waterman’s Ball as part of their weekend activities to raise funds for 20 ocean-conservation organizations. Honored at the event were three surf industry legends, George Downing, Jefferson “Zuma Jay” Wagner and Greg Long.
Athlebrities will have a full review posted soon, but in the meantime, we were very excited to speak with Greg Long about his actions in and out of the water (full interview will be posted on Look to the Stars). He did tell us that his brother Rusty-who was badly burned in an accident-was to be released from the hospital on Saturday-much earlier than expected. Also spotted in the crown, Nia Peeples-who was sending out supportive tweets all night; Jane’s Addiction front man Perry Farrell and family, and Pamela Anderson with her hot surfer boyfriend Jon Rose.
Stay tuned-full write-up coming later…photo above Athlebrities with Greg Long and his dimples.
As always, thanks for reading~
delinda@athlebrities.com
Waterman’s Weekend Environmental Fundraiser
Waterman’s Weekend Environmental Fundraiser
***Event Alert***
The Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA) will honor big wave surfing champion Greg Long as Waterman of the Year, former Malibu mayor and environmental stalwart Jefferson “Zuma Jay” Wagner as Environmentalist of the Year, and Hawaiian big wave pioneer and legendary shaper George Downing with the 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award, as part of the association’s annual Waterman’s Weekend environmental fundraiser.
The 2011 Waterman’s Weekend will be held August 11-12th and will raise funds for 20 ocean conservation organizations. The weekend begins Thursday, August 11, with the Waterman’s Classic Golf Tournament at the Monarch Beach Golf Links, and culminates on Friday, August 12, with the 22nd annual Waterman’s Ball and auction to be held at The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel, Calif.
“The SIMA Board of Directors and Environmental Fund are proud to honor Greg, Jay and George at the 22nd annual Waterman’s Ball,” said Paul Naude, Chairman of the Waterman’s Weekend Event Committee and President of the SIMA Environmental Fund Board of Directors. “All of the honorees have undoubtedly earned our respect and appreciation for their accomplishments in and out of the water, and for the influence they have had on the sport and culture of surfing.”
Waterman of the Year, Greg Long, is often referred to as “the best young big wave surfer on the planet.” He’s won the 2003 Red Bull Big Wave Africa; 2008 Mavericks Surf Contest; 2009 winner Quiksilver Eddie Aikau…has become one of only two surfers in the world to be invited to all three major big wave paddle events…and when he’s not tackling the world’s biggest waves, Long gives back to the community by giving motivational presentations to schools and community groups, as well as through his involvement in environmental organizations including Surfrider, Save the Waves, Wildcoast and The San Onofre Foundation.
Environmentalist of the Year, Jefferson “Zuma Jay” Wagner, is a longtime advocate and protector of one of surfing’s sacred spots – Malibu. In addition to owning a surf shop and formerly serving as the city’s mayor, Zuma Jay is dedicated to the fight to preserve Malibu’s beaches and keep its waters clean…he is currently promoting the restoration of Malibu lagoon, and worked with the California Coastal Commission and the Los Angeles County Beaches and Harbors to establish Malibu as the 1st World Surfing Reserve.
For decades this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, George Downing, has been a leader in the surf industry and community…he’s a major stud in the surf industry, with a resume that includes constructing what is known as the first board for truly big surf… he serves as the president of the Surfing Education Association which is dedicated to the preservation of our oceans, coral reefs, waves and beaches…and has just secured himself a spot in the Surfers Hall of Fame.
The two-day fundraising event benefits the SIMA Environmental Fund, a 501©(3) charitable foundation that awards grants to various environmental groups based on their dedication to preserving and protecting the world’s oceans, beaches and waves. Last year’s event attracted more than 700 people and raised more than $400,000 for 19 ocean conservation groups.
MORE: SIMA.COM
I hope to see you all there~
As always, thanks for reading~
delinda@athlebrities.com