With so many fine blogs out there, Tree Hugger, Climate of Our Future, The Nature Conservatory, and so on, all covering the environment in very qualified ways, I’m taking the self indulgent track once again, on to a lane less traveled.
The waves.
To be alone on the water is a glorious thing. Those refulgent though mercurial waves, an experience worth fighting for.
You say the waves? Why should we worry about the waves?
Quite frankly because surfers need them, desire them, live for them. Contrary to public opinion surfers are not all poor ragamuffins with boards traipsing the globe in search of nirvana, and even if they were only that they would still attract a large following. Surfer groupies or followers spend a lot of money, they contribute more than sun bleached hair to the economic health of any given area.
The problem, coastal development without impact studies. In some cases — Cobquecura, Chile, and Cow Head, Tamo Shanter Bay Tasmania, it’s pulp mills.
There are ways to develop without destruction, as there are ways to produce pulp without polluting the coastline.
So, for those who never give a thought to waves, here’s a few links to check out in your free time.
Lost Jewel of the Atlantic Trailer
Lost Jewel of the Atlantic is part of the continuing effort by Save the Waves Coalition to educate governments who propose building along the shore that world class surfing waves and natural coastline are precious resources worth protecting and maintaining. In 2002 the government of Madeira, a Portuguese island off the coast of Morocco, began a series of seawall projects that put several of the islands best surf spots in jeopardy. This documentary tells the story of the triumphs and losses in the struggle to preserve the island’s natural heritage.
Surfrider Foundation Australia
You can purchase posters to support the coalition by clicking on this link.
Or you can just listen to JJ, and watch him surf.
I love jack johnson! Haha, a very fitting vid.
Nice topic choice…and while I’m not a surfer, I do the sound of ocean waves. It’s soothing, like how the sound of rain calms me, too.
Damn Cooper I’m always a day late and a dollar.…that was one beautiful vid – waves are great and necessary
As ususal you went for the unusual – one of the many reasons wonderlandornot is about my favorite blog
Thanks for taking the high road, or the other road. Great vid. I don’t surf and watching that video I know why. The largest wave I ever saw was in Maine. No expert me. Sleeping to the sound of waves beating against the shore is a great luxury.
I didn’t know anything about blog action day.
Large waves in Maine? Noooo… please dont’ remind me of those “deep sea” fishing trips off Bah Hahbah. The ocean from that point to places north can be really swell.
Didja hear about the 900 lb mako shark caught by some guys off the coast of some state down south? They were fishing for pan fish and caught semi-jaws instead. Took everyone on board to haul that sucker in. They didn’t say how long it was, but in the picture it was immense. Hate to run (swim?) into one of those while out plying the waves.
Two days in a row we clash.
Great post. You know why.
I’ll keep in touch, maybe a meet-up.
That’s right, you’re working and grad school. I do not have an envious bone in my body.
The video make me breath harder than.……
Ciao!
Meant to add:
Contrary to public opinion surfers are not all poor ragamuffins with boards traipsing the globe in search of nirvana
Mostly are.
i love that wonderland is mostly about awareness. see, i never thought much about waves and the coastline, and here i am, technically an islander.
Darfur on deep water? The real Jack Johnson is dead.
I’m don’t have the same “love of waves” as you but this is a good point, something you don’t see every day. In any case where the options allow for something to be done without destruction it’s always a better alterntive. The cost is usually more but surprisingly not always that much more.
Short, to the point, and different.
That surf frightens me cooper. Alone on the water is not my idea of fun. To each his own.
Cool videos, something to think about.
I have read of golf courses which are built to perserve the environment. That would be my theme.
wow, nice pic of topocalma… I wanna be there! I’m all for preserving the coastline but I’m also notoriously lazy. thank god for activists! good news locally: looks like they are going to preserve trestles in san clemente from a new unneccesary toll road. keep raising awareness cooper!
Thanks for promoting “save the waves” coop.
The surfing video is giving me an orgasm.
Waves and surfing are a pretty big deal in San Diego. As are the beach, polluted run-off, seals, submarine canyons, and sewage from the Tijuana river flowing into the Pacific. Waves and beach erosion.
There’s nothing like floating on your back in the ocean to the rise and fall of water before it becomes a wave…
Guess I could’ve written about those things if I’d been paying attention.
I like Jack.
Love the waves, Cooper.
Just came back form a weekend at Margaret River…
The surf at Smith’s Beach was eye-opening — check out the public-initiated “Save Smith’s Beach” campaign to stop inappropriate development at: http://www.grrinninbear.com.au/sbag/smiths_home.html
Long live the lip!
great post Cooper and my 17 yr old son would adore you if he read your glowing report on Surfies…
ps…he is an amateur ‘surfing’ film maker too …
Joanne: It was a topic I could get behind as I’ve been a member of Save the Waves since a friend started a chapter.
I do like JJ.
Couldn’t find him the last time I went to Hawaii though.
Pia: I almost forgot and did it late in the day.
It might be unusual for some but waves are my thing. Not enough these days though that is for sure.
Casey: Maine is loverly, I’ve never surfed there although I did body board there once. Cold.
SK: i like the Maine coast and the Lobster. I had not heard of it ( mako) until now. Nothing is worse than South Africa at least I don’t think. They have shark watchers on the cliffs to spot for the surfers, at least that is what I am told — a friend was there a year of so ago.
Dane: I’m sure you’re gone but, ciao. ;(
Doug: Please stop eating the dog food.
John: isn’t that your job?
Jacob: Your son will love the ocean and the waves. They are addictive. Yes, talk to John that is his field.
Tomawesome: I’m surprised with those two gorgeous boys you have you are not more active in preserving.…something.
G: anytime.
Kelly: I was barely paying attention and caught it the last few hours.
Simone: I saw that you had gone there. I will definitely check the link out.
laketrees: I rather fond of surfers. Many of my friends are surfers. I only started surfing a few years ago prior to that I was simple a body boarder. I have friends now embarking on a Central/ South American surfing tour…
I’m so envious I could almost scream.
Unleashing the power of the waves… This is something I think you would enjoy reading.
http://web.mac.com/wallacejnichols/wallacejnichols/Blog/Entries/2007/6/26_Wave_Power.html
I like this post a lot — I am also not a surfer (tried it…failed miserably…developed amazing bruises…and while it was wild, I’m not sure I’m up for it again…), but love the ocean and love-love-love the waves. It’s good stuff worth saving, for sure.
I’ve seen a lot of the big waves. You know I’m AN environmental geologist. Most of my work involves impact studies.
The waves are worth saving, bless your crazy heart.
Surfers are a little mad.
Jack Rocks.