 |
|
|
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.
|
|
|
Global warming isn't opinion. It's a scientific reality. And the science tells us that human activity has made, and continues to make, enormous impacts to our planet that affect our well-being and even our survival as a species. Many of the impacts are being felt along our coasts, both along the shore and in the water.
SURFRIDER FOUNDATION on Global Warming
|
|
|
Consider drying the natural way (i.e. on a clothes line outdoors) if practical, this will save you 3-4 kWh/washing cycle.
|
|
|
 |
|
News
| 1 Sep 2007 | South Africa |
| | Cape Town surfers undeterred by shark warnings in Earthwave record attempt |
Lew Geffen – Sotheby’s International Realty step in to sponsor Dig for Gold
Late Breaking News!
Video footage from Earthwave Cape Town available on the website during the event
Surfers intending to participate in the Earthwave Global Surf Challenge attempt on the Guinness World Record for the ‘most surfers to ride one wave simultaneously’ to be held at Muizenberg on Sunday are undeterred by warnings issued by the City of Cape Town about the seasonal increase in inshore movement by white sharks.
"Over the past five years, the period of mid August to end September has recorded the highest numbers of interactions between white sharks and recreational users,” said Gregg Oelofse of the City’s Environmental Resource Management Department in a statement issued by the City’s Directorate of Communications on 21August.
Dozens of local surfers have registered for the attempt since the warning was issued and the organisers are expecting the number of participants to equal if not exceed the 349 who took to the surf at the same venue in September last year.
“While we are aware of the increased inshore activity, we are confident that the local Shark Spotters will warn us in good time if any Great Whites venture too close to the participants,” said Dene Botha from the Kahuna Surfing Academy, who ran last year’s record setting attempt and masterminded its expansion to a global event with seven countries involved this year.
“Our safety procedures include having two jetskis with rescue sledges piloted by experts from Surf Zone in the water throughout the event, a rescue helicopter will be in attendance along with a team of medics from Overstrand Medical Response and the NSRI have also been notified,” added Botha.
Fiona Chudleigh from Surf Shack who, along with fellow surf school operators Cape Town Surf Adventures and Learn 2 Surf, will be running a mass free beginners surf lesson at 11am as part of the Earthwave project, was equally adamant that surfing at Muizenberg is safe.
“Hundreds of people surf at the Corner every weekend and throughout the week,” said Chudleigh whose shop is right at Surfer’s Corner. “And with the Shark Spotters programme having been founded here three years ago, Muizenberg is about as safe a surf spot as you can find on the Peninsula.”
Meanwhile, the fund raising activities during the event were given a major boost when the renowned property firm of Lew Geffen – Sotheby’s International Realty stepped in to sponsor the popular Dig for Gold competition that is a highlight of the day.
With vouchers for thousands of Rand’s in prizes buried in the sand, the young and young at heart will have a great time digging for buried treasure in a specially designated enclosed area on the beach.
And in the latest addition to the event, everyone with access to the internet will be able to watch video clips of all the action taking place at Muizenberg in a ‘delayed live’ format thanks to a locally based mobile phone communications company.
“We will be filming all the activities at Earthwave on mobile phones, editing the video images and posting them on the web within minutes,” said Peter van der Lingen of Infectious Agent Communications, who handle cellular communications for all the major networks and run a surfcam displaying the waves at Muizenberg.
To see all the action at the event, including the world record attempt that starts with the hundreds of surfers lining up on the beach from 1.30pm, go to www.earthwave2007.com then to the South Africa page and click on the Webcast link.
This will provide those who cannot be at the event with the perfect opportunity to assess the conditions before entering the Earthwave SMS competition where the winner receives R1 500 worth of premium branded accessories for guessing the highest number of surfers who will ride one wave during the world record attempt.
After logging into the webcast, make your guess and send an SMS with the word WAVE followed by a space and the number (e.g. WAVE 104) to 35010. Each SMS sent costs R3 and in the event of a tie, the person sending the most correct entries will be the winner.
/ends
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
