In search of: Harry the Hat’s son…

Martin G. would like to get in contact with the Harry the Hat’s son to ask about Harry’s early days in Bondi. If you can help, please use the feedback form to let us know and we’ll put your two in touch.

-Don

Lose a wetty?

We’ve all done this…

RealSurfer Blane was driving along on the Northern beaches when he noticed a black 4WD in front of him with a wetty on the roof. A second later it and a pair of sluggos blew off. Good fellow that he is, Blane rescued the rubber but lost sight of the vehicle.

Send us a description of the wetty via our feedback link (above right) and if it matches what Blane found, we’ll put you in touch.

Don

Qld flood disaster fundraiser: Diggers, Thr 24 Feb

SurfAid Launches Mentawai Tsunami Appeal 2010

SurfAid International has launched an emergency appeal in response to the devastating earthquake and tsunami that hit the Mentawai Islands, off West Sumatra, Indonesia, on Monday 25 October.

A 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck just south of the Mentawai Islands triggering a three-metre (10 foot) tsunami that has wiped out some of the coastal villages and seriously damaged others.

It is reported today that more than 300 people have been killed, with hundreds more missing. Many villagers are now homeless and in desperate need of support.

We are delivering emergency relief supplies – shelter, building and hygiene kits – and going into the isolated villages by boat to assess the needs.

We need your support now to help the people of the Mentawai Islands.

Dig Deep for Donny Robson

Brendon ‘Donny’ Robson, well known local Mona Vale surfer and member of
Mona Vale Boardriders, working in the local surf industry was struck by a
car on Sunday 15th of August resulting in the loss of his left arm.

A fundraiser for Donny is being held at the Mona Vale Hotel on Thursday 2nd
of September 6:30 – 9:30pm.

Entry is $20 dollars and you will be in the draw for a brand new Board as a
lucky door prize.

Guest presenters will draw Raffle and auction prizes up for grabs on the
night.

So please join us and the local community in helping Donny get back in the
Line up.

If you can’t make the night you can make a pledge at any Westpac Branch
account name “Dig Deep for Donny”

You can also donate direct to the same account

Account Name : Dig Deep for Donny

BSB : 032 191
ACC : 339969

Thanks for your support

President
Mona Vale Boardriders

International Surfing Day – Sunday 20th June

Experiences wanted: hip re-surfacing vs replacement

RealSurfer Brent asks:

I have be told that i need a hip re-surfaceing or a complete hip replacement and i am wondering if anybody out there has had one of these operations and got back to surfing again and was it successfully???

Please use the comments system (see below) to leave any responses to Brent’s question.

Fundraiser: sports lunch for Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute

Long time friend of RealSurf, Aldo Santamaria has organised a Sports Lunch fundraiser for the Victor Chang Research Institute. It’s set down for 1230 on Friday 28 May at the Tattersall’s Club on Elizabeth Street, Sydney.

The MC is Gordon Bray, Vince Sorrenti will keep the laughs coming as guests Mark Vincent, Jason Little, Mark Richards (the sailor, not the surfer!) and Tony Pezzano keep it all interesting.

Contact Aldo on 041 188 8250 to organise tickets.

NORTHERN BEACHES JOIN THE LARGEST DAY OF CLIMATE ACTION IN HISTORY

For example . . .

2000+ EVENTS AROUND THE WORLD

On Saturday 24 October 2009 Northern Beaches residents will join hundreds of thousands of people from around the world in taking a stand for a safe climate future as part of the largest global day of climate action ever witnessed.

The call to action by both Climate Action Pittwater and Manly Warringah Climate Action Group as well as local surf life saving clubs, and hosted by Pittwater, Warringah and Manly Councils, will spell out the numerals ‘350’ (i.e. 350 parts per million, signifying the safe upper level of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere) via human signs on local beaches.

“People are turning out in great numbers in Australia and around the world on 24 October to call on global leaders to hear the public concern about climate change before the UN talks in Copenhagen in December,” said a spokesperson for the Climate Change Groups.

“Scientists are saying that our current greenhouse emissions at 385ppm are at a dangerous level.
“350 sends a clear message to our community and our leaders that we cannot afford to be skeptical anymore and that we need to set a clear and ambitious goal to work towards at the Copenhagen meeting.
“Individuals and families in every corner of the world will be taking similar action from Mount Everest and the Taj Mahal to the Great Barrier Reef and the Sydney Opera House.”
The Northern Beaches climate action groups have the support of local Mayors, Councils, politicians and community groups who will be gathering at three locations (Mona Vale beach, Dee Why beach, and North Steyne beach) at 3.00pm on Saturday 24 October.

The events are three of more than 2,000 rallies in more than 140 nations coordinated by the organization ‘350.org’ and urging world leaders to take fast and effective action on climate change.
“This is the first global campaign ever organised around a scientific data point,” said the climate change group spokesperson.
“It’s also significant that we organize the human signs on our local beaches as increasing sea levels will see our iconic beaches disappear in the future.
“Everyone has a responsibility in combating climate change. We can each make a difference to reducing our own carbon footprints.
“We are encouraging the residents of the Northern Beaches to register their interest and to join us on this day so that we can to get our world back to 350 and a safe climate future.”
To find out more about ‘350’ go to www.350.org/australia.

To register go to:
Dee Why Beach http://www.350.org/node/7325;
Manly Beach http://www.350.org/node/7523
Mona Vale Beach http://www.350.org/node/7327
Spokespersons to contact include:
Iain McGregor (Manly): 0400 481 259.
Kirsten Evans (Dee Why): 0438 177 088.
Linda Haefeli (Pittwater) 0409 815 119.
To make the sign more effective it would be suitable to wear something black, green, blue or red on the day.
For media information contact Ron Krueger on 0418 617 680.
ENDORSEMENTS
“The gathering of world leaders in Copenhagen for the UN Climate Change Conference in December this year offers what may be the last, best chance for determining concerted action to prevent the worst effects of global warming.
Representing a coastal community likely to be profoundly affected by rising sea levels, Manly Council is committed to developing strategies that promote the conservation of the natural environment to benefit current and future generations; including long term considerations of climate change.
Therefore, as the Mayor of Manly, I fully support the objectives of the ‘350’ campaign and encourage all who love Manly to come along and take part on the day.” – Jean Hay, Mayor of Manly
I am proud to support this initiative and encourage Warringah residents to take a stand on the sand on the day.” – Michael Regan, Mayor of Warringah.
“I encourage Pittwater residents to get behind this great initiative and to send a clear message that we need to limit our emissions to avoid runaway climate change.” – Harvey Rose, Mayor of Pittwater.
“This event is a great opportunity for the Northern Beaches community to show their support for more action on climate change. The lack of public transport on the Peninsula means more cars are clogging up the roads and that has to change. Our beautiful local environment is why we love living on the Northern Beaches and it must be protected for future generations.” – Mike Baird, Member for Manly

“Our coastline and particularly beaches are hugely threatened by rising sea levels and the predicted more numerous and potent storms bought on by climate change and here is an unmissable chance to send your message.” -Brendan Donohue, Surfrider Foundation Northern Beaches Chapter.
“Mona Vale SLSC is proud to be hosting Pittwater’s 350 event. Surf Life Saving Clubs, by their very nature, are particularly vulnerable to coastal erosion and the probable implications of sea level rise. Becoming involved in this public display of climate change action raises the awareness of our 700+ members and their families. Surf Lifesavers and ‘Nippers’ all have a role to play in addressing climate change, and this event is another way MVSLSC is taking action”. – Jon Dibbs – President and Life Member of Mona Vale Surf Life Saving Club.
ABOUT 350.ORG
Founded by author and environmentalist Bill McKibben, 350.org is the first large-scale grassroots global campaign against climate change. Its supporters include leading scientists, the governments of 89 countries, and a huge variety of environmental, health, development and religious NGOs. All agree that current atmospheric levels of greenhouse gases—385 parts per million—are causing damage to the planet and to its most vulnerable people, and that government action at the Copenhagen climate conference is required to bring the earth’s carbon level swiftly down.

“TRANSPARENTSEA” – A MODERN JOURNEY WITH ANCIENT CREATURES

Professional Surfer and environmental campaigner Dave Rastovich and the sea kayak he will navigate to Sydney.

Professional surfer Dave Rastovich initiates a bold environmental awareness campaign tomorrow from Byron Bay.

Professional free-surfer and environmental campaigner David Rastovich will attempt an epic 700km ocean paddle from Byron Bay to Bondi Beach this October.

The journey aims to follow the annual migration south of humpback whales and their calves while raising awareness of the need to protect the majestic mammals and the world’s ocean environments.

Twenty nine year-old Rastovich (Brunswick Heads, AUS) is using the paddle to extend his personal environmental journey which in 2006 saw him co-found the “Surfers for Cetaceans” movement and in July this year saw him granted one of just 200 invitations to attend former US Vice President Al Gore’s The Climate Project – Asia-Pacific Summit.

On October 1st “Rasta”, accompanied by world-class water photographer Hilton Dawe (Byron Bay, AUS) and a videographer who will help chronicle the event, will step from the sands of Main Beach, Byron Bay and begin the journey in single-seat sea kayaks.

Joining them will be Chris Del Moro (Los Angeles, USA) a respected free surfer, activist, artist and co-director of Surfers for Cetaceans.

Assisted only by the wind and waves, Rasta and his cohorts will paddle the entire distance aiming to reach Bondi by November 5th. Each afternoon they will paddle to the nearest beach, rest overnight, engage with local communities and – conditions permitting – take advantage of the local surf.

The primary intention of the journey is to draw attention to the plight of the migrating whales that ultimately are destined for the chilly waters of the Southern Ocean and the inevitable visits by Japanese whaling fleets.

In addition, the team will record and highlight other areas of environmental concern including the effects of the commercial fishing industry on marine mammals and fish stocks; run-off issues to do with agricultural, domestic and industrial human activities; the state of rivers and estuaries; and where necessary they will also initiate beach clean-ups.

It is a well-intentioned odyssey that, at worst, is certain to be an incredible test of endurance but will also, quite possibly, double as the surf-trip-of-a-lifetime.

“What excites me the most is being able to combine the high-risk elements of surfing and sailing and the notion of endurance and pushing your body,” said Rastovich.  “I’m eager to bring those elements together with environmental awareness initiatives.

“Our intentions are that, after 36 days and 700 kilometers, we’ll have helped educate a lot of people on the beauty and majesty of the whales, plus the impact we all have on what is such an amazing stretch of coastline and in what ways we might all implement positive change.”

An additional kayak will be made available to a small roster of like-minded invited guests – individuals who share the mission’s sense of purpose and who are able to help bolster public awareness.

Participants already scheduled to take part include eight-time Molokai-to-Oahu paddling champion Jamie Mitchell, former world #5, pro surfer Matt Hoy, and professional surf commentator, editor and musician Adam ‘Vaughan’ Blakey.

“Our intentions are to reach Bondi and celebrate the completion of our voyage with Captain Paul Watson of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society,” said Rastovich.

“We expect to be crossing paths with the Sea Shepherd crew on the journey as they take their ship, the Steve Irwin, to Perth where they will launch their next campaign to save our whales in Antarctica. The same whales we will be paddling alongside.”

The official Transparentsea launch will take place on Thursday, October 1st at Main Beach, Byron Bay. Here, members of the Aboriginal Bundjalung tribe will don traditional dress and perform a farewell ceremony. Following the ceremony, the kayakers will paddle out to meet the whales and begin their long voyage south to Sydney.

Transparentsea participants (L to R): Surfer Dave Rastovich, musician Will Conner, Surfrider Foundation's Kristy Theissling and Californian surfer, artist and campaigner Chris Del Moro. Photographed today in Byron Bay.