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The Earthwave Global Surf Challenge is an initiative created by the Cape Town based Kahuna Surfing Academy that showcases the global nature of the surfing community, highlights their environmental concerns and issues a "call to action" on how we can reduce our impact on climate change.
By staging attempts on the Guinness World Record for the ‘most surfers riding one wave simultaneously’ on beaches worldwide on the first Sunday in September annually, Earthwave provides a platform for surfers of every age and ability to participate in an enjoyable group activity.
Leveraging the newsworthiness of world record attempts, Earthwave seeks to raise awareness of the threat of Global Warming and its effects on our oceans and waves while mobilizing the trendsetting surfing fraternity through practical advice on how to become part of the solution to the most devastating problem ever faced by mankind.
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Global Warming is the greatest threat facing mankind today. We owe it to ourselves and future generations to learn more about this problem and then become proactive in reducing our impact on the environment.
PAUL BOTHA
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Skip the pre-wash if your clothes are not particularly dirty-this will save up to 20 percent of the electricity.
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News
| 22 August 2007 |
| | SEVEN NATIONS IN INAUGURAL EARTHWAVE GLOBAL SURF CHALLENGE ON SUNDAY 2 SEPTEMBER |
Seven nations on four continents and two islands will become the founding members of the Earthwave Global Surf Challenge by participating in world record attempts and promoting environmental awareness on Sunday 2 September.
Organisations and promoters in Australia, Reunion Island, England, Brazil, Argentina and Tahiti have taken up the challenge issued by the Cape Town, South Africa, based Kahuna Surfing Academy to make an attempt on the Guinness World Record for the ‘most surfers riding one wave simultaneously’ and to use the publicity generated by their events to highlight ecological concerns.
“We’re impressed by the enthusiasm and commitment of the six organisers who have joined us in the first edition of this unique worldwide surfing event which has been created to showcase the worldwide surfing community and draw attention to the threat posed by climate change,” said veteran watersports promoter Paul Botha.
“They’re the early adopters who have grasped the relevance of harnessing the aspirational and trendsetting surfing lifestyle to endorse the global call to action on reducing our impact on the environment,” added Botha. “And the number of surfing organisations keen to participate in the Earthwave Global Surf Challenge next year is equally encouraging.”
Earthwave will kick off at Burleigh Heads Beach in Queensland, Australia where the Godfathers of the Ocean Surf School, run by former world tour pro surfer Munga Barry and wife Krista, have organised a mass free surf lesson and talks by environmental experts to introduce the concept on the Gold Coast in preparation for a full scale assault on the world record in 2008.
There is no beach on Reunion Island big enough to challenge for the world record, but determined to be involved in Earthwave, long time resident and surfing promoter Gordon Smith has innovated and will be trying to set the world record for the most female surfers riding a single wave at the beautiful Indian Ocean venue of Trois Bassins.
The Cape Town edition will again be at Surfer’s Corner in Muizenberg where a total of 349 surfers registered for the attempt last year and 73 rode on one wave for the required five seconds. The Kahuna Surfing Academy is hoping to eclipse that record and set Earthwave records for the most surfers to register and for the most money raised for worthy causes.
“Entries are flooding in from people who want to participate in the record attempt and local businesses and the surf industry are generously contributing valuable prizes for our fund-raising initiatives,” said Dene Botha who is coordinating the Cape Town leg again.
“Alongside talks and demonstrations by experts on Global Warming and environmental issues there will be a free surf lesson for anyone wanting to learn to surf, raffles and a Dig for Gold, while 10 manufacturers have pledged beautifully painted surfboards that will be auctioned at the event in the Surfboard Art Challenge.”
Earthwave England is a joint effort by the entrepreneurial Ticket to Ride Worldwide Surfing Adventures crew and Surf’s Up Boardriders Club who are ‘In it to win it’ and have realistic expectations of setting a new record at Polzeath Beach. They have enlisted the renowned Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) pressure group to assist in promoting the environmental message and will kick off at 4.30 pm local time.
The legendary Rico de Souza, who set the Guinness World Record of 42 surfers on a wave in Rio de Janeiro in 2005, is coordinating Earthwave Brazil with fellow legend Picuruta Salazar at Quebra Mar in Santos.
Along with the Mayor of Santos and sponsors Ecorodivias, one of the country’s biggest road concession companies, they are producing a huge event that is set to grab the attention of beach loving Brazilians.
Gustavo Huici, veteran surfing administrator, journalist and head of the Mar del Plata chapter of the Surfrider Foundation is staging two Earthwave events simultaneously in Argentina, one at the downtown beach of Playa Grande – Biologia and the other south of the city at La Paloma to draw attention to Global Warming.
These events are well supported by a host of sponsors and coincide with a major beach cleanup and conference featuring many government and conservation agencies.
Earthwave 2007 will conclude in Tahiti approximately 20 hours after it started on the other side of the planet when surfing promoter Christophe Holozet of the Popoti Surf Club stages the Polynesian version of the global initiative at Taharuu Beach on the island.
The inaugural Earthwave titles for the event producing the most surfers on one wave, the most registered participants and for raising the most funds for their designated charities will be up for grabs. And any event that gets more than 44 surfers riding one wave simultaneously for a minimum of five seconds can claim the Guinness World Record officially held by the Lahinch Surf School in Ireland while the Cape Town claim for 73 is pending ratification.
Further information on the Earthwave Global Surf Challenge and contact details for the organisers in each country can be found at the website www.earthwave2007.com
Organisations, companies and media providers interested in more details of this and future editions of Earthwave are invited to contact Paul Botha via kahunasurf@mweb.co.za
/ends
Issued on behalf of:
Kahuna Surfing Academy
Contact: Dene Botha
Mobile: +27 (0) 82 687 8434
Email: kahunasurf@mweb.co.za
Web: www.kahunasurf.co.za
Compiled and issued by
Life's a Beach Communications
Tel: +27 (0) 21 783 4965
Mobile: +27 (0) 82 423 1964
Email: lifesabeach@mweb.co.za
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