Surfrider Foundation Draws on Local Artists to  Promote its Environmental Message

Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel

Robb Havassy SurfArt ©

The Surfrider Foundation Huntington Beach/Seal Beach Chapter is drawing on the help of local artists and photographers to help promote its vision of pristine oceans and a thriving sea life.

Dedicated to protecting and preserving the world’s oceans, waves and beaches, the non-profit Surfrider Foundation believes that one of the best ways to convey its environmental message is through imagery.

Robb Havassy Tropical Sea ©

SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel talked to HB/SB Chapter members Gene Rascon and Seth Matson, who are both putting their creative skills to use to spearhead the chapter’s environmental concerns through the various art media.

Gene & Seth with Chapter Chairperson Tony Soriano

Gene Rascon, the owner of online gallery Surf City Art Co., represents many of the leading surf artists and photographers, including Robb Havassy, Nathan Gibbs, Sean Davey, Tony Ludovico, Ron Croci, Flick Ford, and Jay Alders.

Rascon, who currently serves as the HB/SB Chapter’s Volunteer Coordinator, looks for artists who “celebrate the beauty of nature and are able to express the wonder of our global water resources and colorful sea life.”

The stunning visuals created by these artists not only help to generate awareness of the environment, but raise money for ocean-related causes.

Surf City Art Co. donates a portion of its proceeds from the artists’ works to the Surfrider Foundation and other environmental groups. And the artists themselves have donated their artworks for fundraising events.

On Ohana “Family” Day, April 22nd, which was the same day as Earth Day this year, surf artists Robb Havassy and Nathan Gibbs both showed up in Seal Beach to lend their support.

Sunny, Rob Havassy, and Patti

Robb Havassy donated a surfboard he painted with a Native American and environmental theme to event sponsor Kohl’s.

One of the leading creative voices in the surf culture, Havassy balances commerce with environmental awareness.

Robb Havassy Moonlight Cove ©

In addition to collaborating with major surf brands like Hurley, Reef, Globe, Sector 9, and Howe Jeans, he also gives freely to the Surfrider Foundation, Heal the Bay, Surf Aid International, and numerous other environmental groups.

Robb Havassy Surf Odyssey 2012 Calendar ©

A renaissance man of the surf scene, Havassy truly does it all – creating dramatically vivid paintings, designing his own fashion collection and eco-friendly line of sandals, and writing the critically-acclaimed 2-volume book, Surf Story, an assemblage of art and stories from the surf culture’s most influential artists, writers and photographers. .

Robb Havassy Surf Story ©

Havassy finds inspiration for his paintings everywhere. “Sometimes after a storm all the stuff washes out of the river jetties and I find a piece of wood to paint on. Some pieces I see and can tell right away what I’m going to put on them. There’s the paintings that you do when you know exactly what you want to come up with and then there’s the ones that come out of nowhere and they surprise you.” Visit Rob on Facebook Today

Robb Havassy Punta Las Palmas

————-

Nathan Gibbs set up a gallery on the beach and talked to people about art and the importance of protecting the environment. “All my art is generally based on the environment,” said Gibbs. “The theme is both the destruction and revitalization of nature.”

Gibbs also donated his artworks and copies of his award-winning environmental book The Betrayal of Man, a mythological story about the characters of life, water and energy struggling to get along with each other.

“I like to give people another avenue to enjoy the environment through my paintings,” Gibbs told SurfWriter Girls Sunny and Patti. A member of the Surfrider Foundation since 1992, Gibbs likes to work in acrylics and often paints on recycled wood panels. His paintings can typically take from 3 – 8 months to create.

Nathan Gibbs Coral Acidification ©

Gibbs is as much a philosopher as an artist. His “Dark and Light” series of surf art and wave paintings focuses on the yin and yang of the cognitive relationships between color and life.

Nathan Gibbs Gold Rush – Surf Art ©

Nathan Gibbs A Long Way Out – Wave Painting ©

Gibbs’ mixed media painting “Choose the Ways of the Sea” took him four years to complete, its progress reflecting his own personal journey of awareness.

Nathan Gibbs Choose the Ways of the Sea ©

http://nathangibbsart.com/

————-

Seth Matson, the owner of Matson Graphics in Huntington Beach, has designed websites, advertising pieces, corporate logos, and T-shirts for many of Southern California’s leading surf businesses, including Rusty Surfboards and Billabong.

Seth Matson – Curren King ©

A lifelong environmentalist, Matson donates many hours to the Surfrider Foundation, helping it to communicate its message by designing promotional materials –T-shirts, hats, reusable bags, posters and flyers – and guiding the HB/SB Chapter’s website.

Seth Matson – Water Shot – Golden West Cliffs ©

Seth Matson Wax–Wave ©

Matson, who has organized many beach cleanups, has even turned trash into artworks, using his skills to make an environmental statement.

Seth Matson Big Round Resin Art ©

He also designed the DVD covers for the Emmy Award Winning Wave of Compassion, a film to raise money for SurfAid International, and was the associate producer on Minds in the Water, the award-winning documentary about protecting dolphins.

Asked about his involvement in the Surfrider Foundation and in making the environmental film , Minds in the Water, Matson said, “I love surfing and I love dolphins and whales. I will do anything to protect them.”

www.seththomasmatson.com

Seth Matson Dolphin Ceramic ©

————-

Rick Blake is a local HB Surfer, grew up in Southern California and works as an artist/teacher painting the scenery and culture around him.

Rick donated his time on two of our cooler chapter poster designs in the last couple years. One was the Ohana Day poster and the other was the Hackertoberfest Golf Classic Poster.

Rick is known best for his surf scenes around HB and Sunset Beach.

http://www.rickblakeart.com

************************************************************************************************

They say, “A picture is worth a thousand words.”

In this case, SurfWriter Girls Sunny and Patti have just one word to say – Thanks! – to all the artists who help the Surfrider Foundation to preserve our oceans and beaches.

Painting a Seascape from KoolPix ©

This lone artist is capturing his vision for everyone to see.

www.surfwritergirls.blogspot.com

Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel hold the exclusive rights to the following copyrighted material. For permission to reprint or excerpt it and/or link it to another website, contact them at surfwriter.girls@gmail.com

Surfrider Foundation Huntington Beach/Seal Beach Chapter’s

Ohana Day Rocks!

Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel

The electricity in the air on Sunday made up for the fact that it was an overcast day. All the kids were excited to fill up their beach cleanup bags with trash and make Seal Beach even more beautiful than it already is.

The Surfrider Foundation Huntington Beach/Seal Beach Chapter was out in full force manning the information booths and serving Java Jaws Coffee.

Event sponsor Kohl’s volunteers turned the beach into a sea of purple with their Kohl’s Cares purple T-shirts.

Among the other sponsors were: Wells Fargo, Whole Foods, Shaklee, Up, Up and Away Kites, and Aquarium of Pacific. Along with this, Anna Cummins and the 5 Gyres Institute made a presentation.

Surf artists Robb Havassy and Nathan Gibbs showed up, too. Havassy donated original artworks and a surfboard he designed that celebrates native culture and the environment.

Gibbs donated artworks and his environmental book The Betrayal of Man.

The Originalities band kept the music going and lots of people were stopping by to see the Ocean Friendly Garden that Greg Goran set up.

Surfrider volunteers Gene Rascon, Casey Metkovich, Jeff Coffman, Don MacLean, Gilbert Castillon and Tony Jones were having as much fun as the children were… and at the end of the day everyone was trying to get Chapter Chairperson Tony Soriano into the Coral Reef dunk tank…but he was too fast to catch. Maybe next year.

www.surfwritergirls.blogspot.com

Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel hold the exclusive rights to the following copyrighted material. For permission to reprint or excerpt it and/or link it to another website, contact them at surfwriter.girls@gmail.com

Surfrider Foundation Ohana Day – April 22

Celebrates Family & Environment

SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel are ready to celebrate Ohana “Family” Day on April 22 from 9 am – 1 pm at the Seal Beach Pier and 8^th Street parking lot.

Hosted by the Surfrider Foundation Huntington Beach/Seal Beach Chapter and Kohl’s Department Stores, the event should draw as many as 4,000 people.

This is a fun-filled beach day for bringing friends and families together to relax and learn about our earth – especially the ocean. “It’s all about the kids,” said Surfrider HB/S

Chairperson Tony Soriano, emphasizing the importance of getting kids involved in protecting the environment.

Ohana Day, which falls on Earth Day this year, features programs on environmentalism, shoreline ecology, and ways to create “ocean friendly gardens” that don’t pollute the waterways.

There will be hands-on activities, demonstrations, gifts, music by the Originalities, and more.

Families can learn about how to reduce ocean pollution and protect endangered species from the staff of the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific, watch Seal Beach Junior Lifeguard workouts, get wet with outrigger canoes, kayaks and paddleboards, or fly kites.

Local wetsuit shop Coral Reef is bringing its surf team and setting up a dunk tank.

The Surfrider HB/SB Chapter and Kohl’s will have plenty of volunteers on hand to lead beach cleanups.

The Chapter is eager to share information about its many programs: water quality testing, beach cleanups, Rise Above Plastics and Butts Out campaigns to get rid of plastic in the ocean and reduce cigarette butt litter, and its elementary school education activities.

Julie Gardner, Kohl’s Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, said, “This April, as we celebrate 50 years as a company, we are excited to continue making a meaningful difference for kids and the environment.”

Among the other sponsors and participants onboard for Ohana Day are: 5 Gyres Institute, Harbour Surfboards, Honda Dealers of Southern California, Java Jaws Coffee, Lokahi Outrigger & Paddling Club, Long Beach Windsurfing & Kayaks, River’s End Restaurant, Seal Beach Up & Away Kites, Shorebreak Hotel, and surf artist Robb Havassy.

Surfrider HB/SB Volunteer Coordinator Gene Rascon told SurfWriter Girls Sunny and Patti that he hopes the community will come out and join in the celebration, adding “We extend this invitation for all those who love the beach.”

This will be a great time to check out the restaurants on Main Street, too. There will be lots of different foods to try from hamburgers, barbecue and pizza…

To tacos and seafood.

Or, stroll down the pier…

Sunny and Patti headed for a walk on the pier.

And check out the view from Ruby’s Diner.

Whatever you choose, make sure to work up an appetite and indulge in your favorites.

Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel hold the exclusive rights to the following copyrighted material. For permission to reprint or excerpt it and/or link it to another website, contact them at surfwriter.girls@gmail.com

surfwritergirls.blogspot.com

Surfrider Foundation Ohana Day Event – April 22

Seal Beach, CA. – The Surfrider Foundation Huntington Beach/Seal Beach Chapter and Kohl’s Department Stores invite sponsors to join them in hosting Ohana “Family” Day on Sunday, April 22, 2012. As many as 4,000 people are expected.

This fun-filled family day, from 9 am – 1 pm at the Seal Beach Pier and 8^th Street parking lot will bring friends and families together to relax and learn about our earth – especially the ocean – and what it has to offer.

“It’s all about the kids,” said Surfrider HB/SB Chairperson Tony Soriano, emphasizing the opportunity this provides sponsors to help get kids involved in protecting the environment.

Ohana Day, which falls on Earth Day this year, features programs on environmentalism, shoreline ecology, and ways to create “ocean friendly gardens” that don’t pollute the waterways. There will be hands-on activities, demonstrations, gifts, music by the Originalities, and more.

Among the sponsors and participants already onboard are:

Coral Reef wetsuit shop

5 Gyres Institute

Harbour Surfboards

Honda Dealers of Southern California

Lokahi Outrigger & Paddling Club

Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific

Long Beach Windsurfing & Kayaks

Robb Havassy, Surf Artist

Seal Beach Junior Lifeguards

Seal Beach Up & Away Kites

Shorebreak Hotel

Volunteers from The Surfrider Foundation and Kohl’s will be on hand to lead in beach cleanups and talk about simple things we can do to safeguard our oceans and beaches.

To find out how your organization can get involved, contact Surfrider Foundation HB/SB Volunteer Coordinator Gene Rascon at media@hsbsurfrider.org

Surfrider Foundation Observes World Water Day

Huntington Beach, CA – Surfrider Foundation Huntington Beach/Seal Beach Chapter Chairperson Tony Soriano wants to remind people of the importance of clean water.  He said, “The United Nations has designated March 22, as World Water Day. This is to focus attention on fresh water and the need to sustainably manage the world’s water resources.”

Every single drop of water we use makes a difference

Less than 1% of the world’s water is suitable for drinking. Currently more than two billion people do not have access to safe drinking water or sanitation. And by 2025 more than three billion people – close to half the world’s population – could suffer from water shortages.

The non-profit Surfrider Foundation, which is dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s oceans, waves and beaches, supports World Water Day and the adoption of wise-use water management.

“Water is the foundation for all life on the planet,” says Matt McClain, Surfrider Foundation’s Director of Marketing and Communications. “Sadly, it only takes a few seconds to pollute water, spoiling it for everyone to use and enjoy.”

In the United States the average person uses 100-150 gallons of water each day. In Europe it’s 74 gallons; China 23 gallons; Africa 17 gallons. Asia has 60% of the world’s population, but only 36% of the world’s water

(More)

To safeguard our water supply, we all need to reduce our Water Footprint – the amount of water that we use each day…for drinking, cooking, cleaning, personal hygiene, home and garden, automobile maintenance, and more.

• Using a low-flow faucet can save you 3.5 gallons per minute.
• Using a low-flow toilet can save nearly 5 gallons per flush.
• Using a low-flow shower head can reduce water usage by about 40%.

Ten easy things you can do to stop wasting water

1. Check faucets and pipes for leaks – Even a small drip from a worn faucet washer can waste up to 20 gallons of water per day.

2. Take shorter showers – Each minute you save can equal 10 or more gallons of water.

3. Turn off the tap when you’re brushing your teeth – Turning off the water while you brush helps to save over 150 gallons of water a month.

4. Check your toilets for leaks – You can do this by putting a little food coloring in your toilet tank. If the color starts to appear in the bowl later, you have a leak.

5. Take a look at your water meter to check for water leaks – If it reads differently before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used, there is a leak.

6. Use your dishwasher and clothes washer for only full loads. This could save 1000 gallons of water per month.

7. Defrost food overnight in the refrigerator, rather than using running water to do it.

8. Use a broom, instead of a hose, to clean your driveway and sidewalk – This saves water and protects the downstream water quality.

9. Water your plants and landscaping in the morning or evening – this reduces water loss from evaporation.

10. Plant a low-water/low polluting “Ocean Friendly Garden” with drought-resistant plants and groundcover.  The Surfrider Foundation (www.hsbsurfrider.org) can tell you how to do it.

-30-

Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel are the SurfWriterGirls Media Consultants and Volunteer PR and Media Contacts for the Surfrider Foundation Huntington Beach/Seal Beach Chapter.

For more information on SurfWriter Girls, go to our blog site at: www.SurfWriterGirls.blogspot.com.