Surfrider to host beach-benefit bash

All Welcome for a Night of Music, Films, Comedy, Prizes & Surfing

MANLY, NSW:  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—Surfrider Foundation’s Northern Beaches has concocted a fundraising event that includes music, films, comedy and awesome raffle gear to that anyone who hits the beach won’t want to miss. The festivities kick off at the modern, seaside Manly Wharf Hotel, October 29, from 6pm.

Surf expressionist Ozzie Wright’s Goons of Doom will headline the event, movies by legendary filmmaker Tim Bonython will be on show, and noted personalities and surfing icons will be mingling about. Surfrider has even cooked up a surprise famous local comedian to emcee the evening.

Silent Auction items (bring your wallets!) include:

• Surf trip to the Maldives (courtesy Line Up Dee Why, valued at $4,500) More info
• Surf trip to Tasmania (courtesy Southern Ocean Adventures, valued at $2,000)
• Balsa Custom Surfboard Kit (courtesy Riley, valued at $700)

“Most of us live on the Northern Beaches because we love the beach and all it has to offer, so it’s good to see local people giving back, wanting to preserve our greatest local natural assets—our beaches,” said Manly MP Mike Baird.

The cost of entry is only $25, which, on top of several nights’ worth of entertainment packed into one, also includes a complimentary beverage, canapés, and a squeaky clean conscience. Surfrider Memberships, usually $45, will be on offer for $10.

All proceeds will benefit Surfrider Foundation Australia, the non-profit organization dedicated to the protection and enhancement of Australia’s oceans, waves and beaches for all people, through CARE: Conservation, Activism, Research and Education.

Awesome sponsors and donators of raffle prizes are: Aloha Manly, Coastalwatch, Dripping Wet Manly, EcoDepot, FCS, Line Up Dee Why, Mambo, RealSurf, Riley Classic Balsa Surfboards, Rip Curl, Skater HQ Manly, Southern Ocean Adventures, Sprout Daily, Surf Stitch, The Green Groper Narrabeen, Whitewater Restaurant Manly, Wicks Surf Collaroy, Wind Surf and Snow Long Reef, Your Food Coach.

IN BRIEF:

• Manly Wharf Hotel (take the Manly ferry from Circular Quay)
• Thursday October 29, 2009 from 6pm
• $25 (all proceeds go to the Surfrider Foundation Australia)
• BUY TICKETS:  www.surfrider.org.au

MEDIA CONTACT:  Kevin Roche (0404 617 563 or Kroche1@gmail.com)

“Transparentsea” … A Modern Journey With Ancient Creatures …

Main Beach, Byron Bay
(East side of Surf Life Saving Club, Bay St)
Thursday, Oct 1st
8:30am

(Tuesday, 29th September, Byron Bay, Australia): An invitation is extended to media and well-wishers to attend the official launch of “Transparentsea”, an environmental awareness campaign initiated by professional surfer and activist David Rastovich, which begins this Thursday (October 1st), from 8:30am at Main Beach, Byron Bay.

Twenty-nine year-old Rastovich (Brunswick Heads, AUS) will be accompanied by Californian-based surfer, artist and environmental activist Chris Del Moro (San Diego, USA), world-renowned water photographer Hilton Dawe (Byron Bay, AUS), musician Will Conner (AUS) and the Surfrider Foundation’s General Manager, Kristy Theissling (Coolangatta, AUS) as he begins an epic 700 kilometer ocean paddle to Sydney aimed at drawing attention to the plight of the migrating humpback whales and various coastal pollution issues.

Assisted only by the wind and waves, the team aims to each paddle single-seat Hobie trimaran sea-kayaks the entire distance, with the goal of reaching Sydney 36 days later on November 5th.

Dozens of supporters have already pledged to join the group on Thursday morning, paddling the first few hundred meters from the sands of Main Beach and out towards The Pass, Wategos and Cape Byron.

Media are invited to participate, with interviews and press opportunities available from 8:30am.

A press release, rights free-images for media and a television news feed will also be made available on Thursday afternoon, featuring helicopter footage of the paddlers, Cape Byron and surrounds.

Transparentsea Launch Schedule:
Participants ready, media – 8:30am
Farewell ceremony by local Aboriginal Bandjalung tribe – 9:00am
Paddle commences – 9:30am

The weather forecast is excellent, with northerly winds of up to 20 knots predicted during the first 48 hours. Under such conditions, Rastovich says it is possible for the team to at least reach Ballina, or even as far as Evans Head on day one, a distance of some 60 kilometers south.

“Our preparation has been epic. We’ve had the crafts for over a month and literally done half-a-dozen 16-kilometer runs south from Brunswick Heads to the Cape at Byron. We’ve had no real hiccups so far,” explained Rastovich.

“We’ve done some serious gear testing – broken things, snapped things, forgotten things. We’ve uncovered all the weak points on the equipment, which gives us the confidence of knowing where our limits lie. We’ve also experienced heaps of whale encounters, sharks, manta rays, dolphins – there has been plenty of activity out at sea,” said Rastovich.

It is expected that the “Steve Irwin”, the ship captained by Paul Watson of the Sea Shepherd, will pass the paddlers in the vicinity of Yamba sometime in the afternoon on Saturday, 3rd October and a rendezvous at sea has already been arranged.

The Surfrider Foundation Australia and Tangaroa Blue are proud to support and partake in the Transparentsea project.

Each day on arrival at the beaches, the Transparentsea crew and members of the community will partake in beach cleanups. The rubbish collected will be counted and the data added to the National marine debris database.

The National Marine Debris Initiative is a project aimed at empowering local communities and individuals to take ownership of their local beaches by regularly removing the rubbish, in particular plastics that arrive or is dropped or dumped on their shores.

For links, contacts and more info, please see below.
A press release, including images for media and TV newsfeed will be available following Thursday’s launch. Media contact: jj@premiummedia.com.au +61(0)421 384 431

About Transparentsea:
The primary intention of the Transparentsea 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 Transparentsea 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.

An additional kayak is available for media and special guests. Please contact JJ@premiummedia.com.au

Transparentsea is possible thanks the support of Surfrider Foundation, Surfers for Cetaceans, Billabong, Coastal Watch, Go Pro Water Proof Cameras and Surfing World magazine.

Friends of:
www.SurfersForCetaceans.com, www.seashepherd.org, www.surfrider.org.au, www.oceancare.org.au.  www.RemoveSharkNets.com , www.SaveJapanDolphins.org, www.TheCoveMovie.com,

Dave Rastovich:
Dave Rastovich is a former World Junior surfing champion and world-renowned free-surfer. In 2006 “Rasta” co-founded the “Surfers for Cetaceans” movement. In July this year Rasta was granted one of just 200 invitations to attend former US Vice President Al Gore’s The Climate Project – Asia-Pacific Summit. http://www.billabong.com/au/team-rider/surf/17/rasta

Chris Del Moro:
Chris has “an excited butterfly-type feeling” about forthcoming test of endurance and surf trip of a lifetime! The Californian artist and free-surfer is also co-director of the Surfers for Cetaceans organisation and traveled with Rasta to Chile (2008) and Portugal (2009) to attend the IWC (International Whaling Convention). www.collecticlife.com

Will Conner:
Will has just finished his 3rd album “You Make Me Sing” due to release early 2010 featuring guests JJ Grey from MOFRO and G. Love. Having accepting Rasta’s invitation, Will states: “I am offering help in the form of musical entertainment, and I am now the proud owner of a yellow Ukulele and plan on annoying everyone including the whales for 36 days straight!” www.willconner.com

Kristy Theissling:
Kristy has traded a promising career as a journalist and role as online editor for Australia’s largest surf-related website, coastalwatch.com to accept a role as General Manager of Surfrider Foundation, Australia. Based in Queensland, Kristy has a history of environmental based campaigning. www.surfrider.org

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Surfrider Fundraiser: The Wharf Bar, Manly, October 29

Event Ticket $25.00 Event Ticket + 1 Year Surfrider Membership $35.00

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WAVES OF CHANGE 2009 Media Release

In conjunction with Kirra Surfstock 2009, A celebration of Music, Surf and Culture, Surfrider  Foundation Australia is hosting its 18^th Annual AGM and Education Conference to be held on the Tweed Gold Coast from November  6th-8^th with the outright goal of protecting the coastline of Australia for the enjoyment of everyone  through Conservation, Activism, Research and Education.

Surfrider foundation is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the protection and enhancement of Australia’s oceans, waves and beaches for all people, through CARE: Conservation, Activism, Research and Education.

To kick of the events for Surfrider, on Friday 6^th, the ‘Legends night’ will be held at Kirra Surf Life saving club and brings together the local community and guest, to enjoy a few warm up drinks, laughter and a fine auction of historic, modern memorabilia and donated gifts, all proceeds going to assist the SLCS and the Surfrider foundation to continue their tireless work over an exciting summer for all beach goers.

In addition to the fun and festivities on Friday night, there will be an opportunity to recharge the batteries with an early birds breakfast, held at the Kirra SLSC before the green shuttle bus awaits to ferry excited members and guest to Southern Cross University to attend the Education conference.

Legends Nights

When:                                     Friday Evening 6^th November

Time:                                    7:00 pm

Where:                                    Kirra Surf Life Saving Club

The Debate and AGM Conference:

When:                                     Saturday 7^th and Sunday 8^th November

Time:                                    9am -1pm

Where:                                    Southern Cross University, Ground floor

Brett Street, Tweed Heads

Transport:

A “Carbon offset” Shuttle bus will be available for members and guest to reach Kirra Beach, at the conclusion of conference events each day.

Accommodation Enquiries:
Rowena Calderwood

Email: Rowena.calderwood@leisurecom.com

Phone: 07 5581 2418.

For further information on registration general inquiries contact:

info@surfrider.org.au

Attn: 2009 Conference Enquiry
Surfrider Foundation Australia

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Tangaroa Blue celebrates International Coastal Cleanup Day

Snapper Island, QLD. In celebration of International Coastal Cleanup Day, 54 Tangaroa Blue volunteers helped remove 500kgs of rubbish from beautiful Snapper Island.

Congratulations to Tangaroa Blue and their group for this fantastic effort.

Plastics are the largest and most detrimental part of the marine debris problem. The majority of marine debris is comprised of plastic materials—60‐80% overall and 90% of floating debris.

A single one‐litre soda bottle could break down into enough fragments to put one fragment on every mile of beach in the entire world.

For more information on marine debris, please see the Marine Debris fact sheets at Tangaroa Blue website

Snapper Island is 27km north of Port Douglas and about 4km due east of the mouth of the Daintree River. The 56ha national park was declared in 1939 to protect the island’s natural, cultural and recreational values. The island is home to a variety of woodland, sea and other bird species. During the summer months, pied imperial-pigeons visit the island between bouts of feeding in the mainland forests.

A continental (high) island that once formed part of the mainland, Snapper Island rises 102m above sea level and supports several vegetation communities. Narrow fringing reef surrounds the island.

The island is part of the traditional sea country of the Kuku Yalanji Aboriginal people, who continue to hunt and fish around the island. In the early 1900s a lime kiln operated on the island and beche-de-mer (sea cucumber) processing may also have taken place. The watercourse stonework of what is believed to be an early Chinese market garden is still visible on the island today.

The island is within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.

Surfrider Foundation Australia welcomes new General Manager

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 18, 2009

Surfrider Foundation Australia (SFA) is proud to announce the appointment of Kristy Theissling as our new General Manager.

Kristy Theissling comes to SFA from Coastalwatch.com and brings her extended experience in communications, journalism, IT, not-for-profits and event management. 24-year-old Kristy is a passionate supporter of Surfrider and an editorial contributor to Surfing World Magazine.

Kristy has been integral in the creation of the new Surfrider website (www.surfrider.org.au). Her skills and passion will enhance Surfrider’s ability to connect with the grassroots of our organisation, and promote the achievement and challenges of protecting Australia’s coastline.

To begin her tenure of General Manager of SFA, Kristy will be joining the Tranparentsea environmental awareness campaign initiated by Dave Rastovich. Kristy and the Transparentsea crew depart from Byron Bay, NSW on October 1. More information on the Transparentsea project here

For more information on Surfrider Foundation Australia, see www.surfrider.org.au

Related News: Departure of SFA General Manager

END MEDIA RELEASE
Related News:
For Media Enquiries, please contact:

Surfrider Foundation Australia
Katherine McLean
0411 054 600

Departure of SFA General Manager

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 16, 2009

Surfrider is saddened to announce the departure of General Manager Julia Chunn.

SFA recognises the huge contribution and success of Julia’s term as General Manager. Julia has been instrumental in the repositioning of SFA and ensuring the future viability of SFA as an organisation able to tackle the challenges of protecting Australia’s coastal environment into the future. Julia’s achievements include the relocation of the National Office, a complete overhaul of the technology and online systems SFA uses, building new partnerships, securing additional funding and creating new systems within the governance of the organisation.

Due to health reasons, Julia is unable to continue in her role of General Manger for SFA. We thank her for her vital contribution to the growth of SFA. Julia Chunn who will remain in the United States after the Surfrider International Conference.

Related News: Surfrider Foundation Australia welcomes new General Manager

END MEDIA RELEASE

For Media Enquiries, please contact:

Surfrider Foundation Australia
Katherine McLean
0411 054 600

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