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Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 10 January,
2007 : - - Byron Entertainment Centre is proud to announce the inception of
Surfers Save The Ocean, an annual event created to raise funds and
appreciation for the conservation of the ocean environment and its
inhabitants. The inaugural event is to take place on Saturday 17th March and
will feature a wealth of musical, performance and artistic talent from
around Australia. The primary aim of the event in its first year is to
develop a greater awareness within the surfing community of the admirable
work of Sea Shepherd and its founder, Paul Watson, with all proceeds also
being donated to the cause.
Sea Shepherd was founded in 1977 in Vancouver, Canada, established with the
purpose of the protection of marine mammals, specifically whales and seals.
Over the past 30 years, Watson and his crew have succeeded in hindering
illegal whaling and sealing operations and the actions of those companies
responsible.
Often placing themselves in considerable danger, the team endeavour to
eradicate the brutal slaughter of marine life and the destruction of their
habitat, upholding the laws stipulated in the United Nations World Charter
For Nature. Funded entirely by donations, Sea Shepherd relies on the
generosity of the public to undertake the ceaseless mission to eliminate
unlawful actions such as shark finning, sealing, poaching and, of course,
whaling.
Kent Farrugia, manager of the Byron Entertainment Centre, became aware of
the cause only recently, but immediately decided that action must be taken
to aid such a worthy charity. “After speaking to Sea Shepherd founder Paul
Watson… I realized that awareness is the key,” says Farrugia. “I have
surfed for 20 plus years and feel that I am pretty in touch with topical
issues about our oceans; however I was totally unaware of some of the
whaling activities that are taking place. If I wasn’t aware of it, I feel
that there must be many more that are also unaware”.
It is this fundamental lack of awareness that is paramount to the Surfers
Save Our Oceans project. Whilst fundraising for organisations such as Sea
Shepherd is vital to the longevity of our oceans, this is not possible
without the general populus first acknowledging the cause. “I feel we need
to target those who use the ocean on a regular basis for enjoyment,”
continues Farrugia. “Surfers and beach lovers alike need to be made aware.
“The secondary goal is to raise funds to keep non-profit organisations
active in their quest to help conserve our oceans for future generations”.
Scheduled to coincide with the first two ASP Men’s World Tour events of
2007, held on the Gold Coast and Bells Beach respectively, Surfers Save The
Ocean aims to attract not only like-minded individuals but also high profile
surfers, giving greater credence to Surfers Save Our Ocean within the surf
community. Featuring a wealth of talent affiliated with surfing, Surfers
Save The Ocean will take a much-needed step in furthering the industry’s
awareness of the plight of our fellow ocean-dwellers.
With support for Sea Shepherd already being shown by certain professional
surfers, including current World number 26, Mark Occhilupo and renowned
free-surfer, Dave Rastovich, Surfers Save The Ocean is the perfect vehicle
to bring such awareness to the general public. Rastovich, who supported Sea
Shepherd on the recent tour of his new movie ‘Life Like Liquid’, has
volunteered as a featured musician for Surfers Save The Oceans, as have
several other artists. Ash Grunwald, Band Of Frequencies, Beau Young and
previous Sea Shepherd contributor, Becci Taylor, have also all shown support
for Surfers Save The Ocean.
Utilising the renown of these and other professional athletes and musicians,
Surfers Save The Ocean is planning a daylong event, drawing in excess of
2,000 people to the venue. “We hope to give it a festival feel and make it
an annual event,” states Farrugia. “We want to give the opportunity to big
name brands and companies, who rely on the surfing population, to get
involved. We will have support from some of the best surfers in the world,
local and international. [Surfers Save The Ocean] will start mid afternoon
and go into the night. Bands, performances, competitions, door prizes,
activities, surf products, surf and ocean art exhibitions will all be part
of the event”.
2007 will mark Surfers Save The Ocean’s inaugural festival, but the planning
for an annual event is already in motion. With a modest target of $15,000 in
funds raised for Sea Shepherd, Surfers Save Our Ocean may not be in the same
league as other local music festivals, but expansion is at the forefront of
the planning process. “We hope to develop a winning formula and product this
year that will see it continue to build and attract bigger names for future
events,” hopes Farrugia. “That is why it is strategically placed between
the Gold Coast Pro and Bells Pro Surf festivals.
“We feel more and more surfers will want to be part of the event. It may
also become an opportunity for major sponsors to have product launches and
so on”.
Surfers Save The Ocean is currently searching for sponsors within the surf
industry to lend their support for an exceptionally worthy cause that
concerns all members of our community, be they associated through business
or recreation.
Although financial sponsorship is required to make the event possible,
Surfers Save The Ocean is also planning to present a raffle on the night,
increasing the amount of funds raised for Sea Shepherd. “The only thing we
are really asking for is support in any way possible,” asks Farrugia. “We at
the Byron Entertainment Centre will donate the indoor venue and its
amenities for the event. We will also take on some of the advertising
costs. If large surf brand companies can help with advertising and artist
payments where required that would be great. We would love for a large surf
brand to take naming rights for the event and help with financial backing.
But the small things are just as important. Products, sponsored surfers,
advertising in Surf mags etc, it all has to happen.”
