PRESS RELEASE
The holidays are upon us – and what better way to spread the stoke than by entering a contest co-sponsored by Quiksilver and the Surfrider Foundation hosted at DailyStoke.com. Until December 23, DailyStoke.com is giving away prizes everyday: Just Add Water, a Quiksilver produced DVD about Clay Marzo , a Surfrider Foundation organic t-shirt, and a year-long membership to the Surfrider Foundation. Support the Surfrider Foundation and enter the contest here.
Activists from Surfrider Foundation’s Lake Michigan Chapter appeared before the Chicago Park District last week to convince them to lift a long standing ban on surfing.
PRESS RELEASE
On Sat. night, 12/20/08, the Surfrider Foundation Oahu Chapter will present the 6th Annual John Kelly Environmental Achievement Awards to recognize those who have made the greatest contributions towards protecting or enhancing our coastal community and environment. The dinner will be catered by Town Restaurant, and the awards will be presented during a special VIP Party at the Waterfront at Aloha Tower. Heavywater Magazine is organizing the party as a benefit for the Surfrider Foundation Oahu Chapter. The fundraiser will begin at 6:30pm, followed by dinner at 7:00 and the awards ceremony at 7:45pm. Tickets are $30 in advance, $40 at the door. The price includes attendance to "THE DISCO" Party afterward, sponsored by Heavywater Magazine and HIC.
Former world champion surfer Shaun Tomson will be given the Lifetime Achievement Award. Shaun has been a respected environmental activist and speaker for ocean conservation ever since he moved to California from his native South Africa. Shaun has lectured, lobbied, and testified throughout Southern California about public responsibility for ocean conservation. After serving as Chairman of the Advisory Board for the Surfrider Foundation, he will join the Board of Directors in 2009. Australia’s Dave Rastovich will receive the Professional Surfer Award. Sponsored as a "free surfer," Dave is co-founder of Surfers for Cetaceans. Along with being an active member of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and Minds in the Water, he is a campaign spokesperson for Save the Whales Again. Styrophobia will be honored as the Environmentally Friendly Local Company, and its President Krista Ruchaber will receive the award. Styrophobia provides 100% compostable, biodegradable takeout containers, plates, cups and cutlery, and all are made of sustainable resources, including vegetable starch and sugar cane fiber. This company helps reduce the amount of styrofoam and plastic that ends up in our landfills, beaches and oceans.
Now in its 12th year of activism and community outreach, the Surfrider Foundation Oahu Chapter has been busy working on the issues of beach access, water quality, coastal preservation and marine debris. We are also sponsors of the Spirit Sessions and recently launched our Rise Above Plastics Campaign (www.riseaboveplastics.org). For more information visit www.surfrider.org/oahu
SurfAid International’s Emergency Preparedness (E-Prep) Program, funded by AusAID, has been recognized by its peers as the best in Indonesia, winning a major award at the 4th Disaster Preparedness Exhibition.
It is the second year that E-Prep has participated in the annual exhibition organized by the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI). This year the event was held in the Central Java city of Yogyakarta, which experienced a devastating earthquake in 2006.
The E-Prep Program was awarded the Best Community Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM) Implementer and was also awarded second prize for the best overall expo display. The exhibition has become an important way to promote community based disaster preparedness, especially to primary and high school students. This year the theme of the exhibition was: “Indonesia is Disaster Prone – Let’s Be Ready!”
Ray Mathias, Program Manager E-Prep (Field and Government Liaison) was asked to give a presentation on the concept of CBDRM and how this was being implemented by the E-Prep Program in Nias and the Mentawai Islands.
The three-day event was attended by 35 disaster preparedness organizations from government, non-government and the private sector. More than 3000 people visited and SurfAid distributed more than 400 emergency preparedness DVDs.
Kelly’s proceeds from his new book, For the Love, will be donated to his foundation.
FOR THE LOVE: No one knows nine-time world champion surfer Kelly Slater better than Kelly himself. In this revealing and heartfelt tribute, written with surfing veteran Phil Jarratt, the world’s best surfer riffs on a life filled with big wins, big money, and big loves. Interviews with friends and fellow surfers unearth amazing anecdotes, and hundreds of photographs (some never before published) capture the greatest victories and the quietest moments in equal measure. This beautifully produced book marks the first time Slater’s story has been told in full color and reflects the latest twists and turns in an incredible and unconventional life.
To purchase the book please visit Chronicle Books
LOOP, in partnership with Balance Vector, Quiksilver and MTV, is releasing SurfAid – The Music on 12 December, a CD which includes Michael Franti, John Butler, The Black Seeds, Thievery Corporation, Liam Finn, TrinityRoots, Kelley James, Bob Marley, Crowded House with Eddie Vedder, and more, with all artists donating their songs to help support SurfAid International’s mission.
SurfAid – The Music is available exclusively in New Zealand via Quiksilver stockists and music stores. For pre-orders and sales outside NZ, go to: http://www.loop.co.nz/surfaid/
PRESS RELEASE
Dana Point CA Dec 3 2008 – A coalition of educators, corporate sponsors and action sports heroes honored students at the Ocean Institute in Dana Point Wednesday night who had winning entries in this year’s ‘Water Innovation Now’ contest for O.C. Schools.
Famed surfer Rob Machado and skater Danny Way successfully convinced a half-million Orange County schoolchildren that it’s cool to care about California’s water crisis. The two athletes were part of a team of educators, corporate sponsors and figures from the action sports industry who invited students to "Imagine Life Without Water. The Water Innovation Now (WIN) contest honors students from kindergarten through twelfth grade who created presentations via PowerPoint, video, or poster board that demonstrated innovative solutions to the water crisis.
William M. Habermehl, Orange County Superintendent of Schools, stated, "Through this collaboration, students were empowered to share their creative solutions for water conservation with representatives and scientists from around the world, and they were inspired to form a partnership for global stewardship of the environment. A partnership of this sort has the capacity to benefit the current generation and future generations to come."
Over thirty companies jumped on board to sponsor the contest and to incentivize the students to participate. Disney’s Environmentality Challenge, Action Sports Environmental Coalition (ASEC), Whale Tails Tortilla Chips, Whole Foods SoPac, Chipotle, Ocean Institute, Quiksilver, Wyland Foundation, Roxy, Hurley, Element, Sector 9, Cox Communications, Tavarua Resort, Univision, Fuel TV and many more have donated cash, prizes, product, and services to make the contest irresistible to kids. The first place prize is a trip for the winner and his or her parents/guardians to the Tavarua Resort in Fiji for a surf vacation. Other prizes include "hang out" sessions with professional athletes; surfers Rob Machado and Rochelle Ballard, and skaters Danny Way, Bob Burnquist and Geoff Rowley.
Frank Scura , Executive Director of Action Sports Environmental Coalition (ASEC) is a driving force in protecting the playground that surfers, skaters, and snowboarders use on a daily basis. Frank was glad that he got so many sponsors to help out . Ric Kraszewski, surfer and co-founder of Whale Tails Tortilla Chips, an organic snack maker that gives 10% to ocean conservation, said "I was thrilled that Frank asked us to participate. Frank has so much passion and these type of projects show we have a bright future. I just know these kids will play a huge role in making a difference" Ana Rothwell, UCI-UNESCO Youth Committee Chair added "Our job was to make it fun for kids and to help them in their efforts to be spokespeople for our planet."
The contest began the week of September 22 and entries were due on October 31, 2008. Projects were judged on innovation, creativity, and knowledge about the issue they are focused on.
The theme of the Water Innovation Now contest challenged students to think about solutions and present them in one of three ways – a one-minute PowerPoint presentation, a 30-second public service announcement or a photo of a project with a one-page narrative about it. Information for the contest was distributed to 800 public and private schools in Orange County, the sponsors said.
The winners are:
Grand Prize Brett Solow, "Water Wisely." Woodbridge, IUSD (view PSA below)
K-3 Grade Christine Park, "Water is Important." Crystal Cathedral Academy , Estefania Salas, Mya Shimizu, Emily Vandercook, "Life With and Without Water." Cyrstal Cathedral Academy, and Simone Robson, "Stop the Drop." Courreges Elementary, FVSD
4-6 Grade Maxwell Menzies, Daniel Franz, "Positive Solutions to Water Conservation." Arovista, BOUSD, Ricardo Lopez, Osvaldo Vega, Danny Gonzalez "A World Without Water" Rea School, NMUSD, Julienne Chiang, "Water Innovation Now" Courreges Elementary, FVSD
7-9 Grade Madison Allshouse, "Surf the Turf." Lexington Jr. High, AUHSD, Tanner Merrill, John Simard, "Don’t Lose Your Ocean." San Juan Hills High, CUSD, Sean Ryan, June Huston, "Every Drop Counts." Shorecliffs Middle, CUSD
10-12 Grade Brett Solow, "Water Wisely." Woodbridge, IUSD, Simona Bor, Pavendeep Rakhra, Shoma Sanyal, "Water Conservation Now." Valencia, PYLUSD, Parker Golden, Josh Martinez, Tyler Ortega and Thomas Cobbs, "Two-Way Toilet." Woodbridge, IUSD
All of the Quiksilver Mo bros and Mo sistas recently gathered to celebrate another great MOvember. Prizes were awarded for the best (Sean Clark) and lame (Joel Scherzer) Mo’s, the best Mo in Costume (Hulkster) and the Mo that raised the most money (Bryan Pohlman). A big thank you to those who participated in the raffle making it a huge success raising $156.00 for the Prostate Cancer Foundation bringing the total amount of donations earned by team MOuntain and Wave to $5,779.83!!! We would also like to give thanks to Adam Garone and Katie Thiele from MOvember for all their hard work and time to raise money and awareness for men’s health. Last but not least, a big pat on the back to all the Quiksilver Employees who got into the act this MOvember we couldn’t have done it without you and we look forward to next year!
Thanks to all Quiksilver employees who rallied to make the Kelly Slater surprise toast a great success and a very special thanks to the Champ for rocking the Quiksilver Foundation T-shirt…your support is very much appreciated!!!
Be sure to check out the photo-features on Surfline and Surfing Magazine
Check out this great letter we received from Quiksilver Foundation’s new friend Tony Walters…
I’m just writing to give great thanks and update The Quiksilver Foundation on the sale of the surfboard that you purchased from me last year.
On the 19/11/07 The foundation purchased the board from me on Ebay for $1550 aus. You then arranged for the board to get signed by quite a few surfers including Kelly Slater and Mick Fanning at the Quiksilver Pro on the Gold Coast Earlier this year.
Well I have sold the board yet again on Ebay, finishing On the 26/11/08 it was sold for $2700 aus so thats a fantastic total of $4200. WOW.. I never in my wildest dreams imagined I could raise anything near that and I owe it all to the Quiksilver foundation. Your generosity has astounded and amazed not only myself and my family but also the Cystic Fibrosis community in Newcastle and NSW . And I again with my family thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
The board was sold to the Philpott family in the Hunter Valley (NSW) who have 2 children with CF. AN 8 year old and a 6 month old baby, They were on my email list and passed that mail onto all their friends, within 3 days their friends had raised $3200 to purchase the board, The $500 difference will also go to CF charities as well. The surfboard will then be either raffled or sold yet again. It really is the surfboard that keeps on giving.
In the near future we will be trying to organize a check presentation to ( at this point ) The John Hunter Childrens Hospital CF clinic. I shall also be trying to organize a representative from Cystic Fibrosis New South Wales (CFNSW). We are hoping to have the Philpott family attend and I would like to offer the Quiksilver Foundation an invitation as well as this is all your doing. Nothing concrete has been arranged yet but I hope to know soon and if your interested I will pass on the relevant information.
Once again thanks, your support has moved me so much
Tony Walters
Below is an amazing drawing Lizzie (5 yrs) did to thank all that helped out. ( that’s Mum, Dad and Lizzie holding the pink surfboard, surrounded by all those that have helped them )
When applying for a grant through the Quiksilver Foundation, you must be aware that we are a boardriding company and your application must be within our vision. We will support organizations and groups that have clearly defined their special need for our support. The Quiksilver Foundation takes all applications seriously and if an application is approved, the Board of Directors will follow the progress of the work through all stages of development requiring frequent updates, receipts and information from you the approved grantee.
The Quiksilver Foundation provides support to a host of charitable initiatives, organizations, and projects aligned with its mission of supporting communities of boardriders across the globe. In addition, the Quiksilver Foundation shares a wide range of resources, including Quiksilver product donations, to enable community-based organizations to achieve their charitable goals. The list of donees is comprehensive and extensive.
For grant applications, questions
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