Photo by Bill Parr
August 18, 2010 - West LA/Malibu Surfrider, Santa Monica Baykeeper & City of Malibu embrace program and emphasize the area’s pressing needs for clean coastal waterways.
World Surfing Reserves and Save The Waves Coalition announced the support of local organizations West LA/Malibu Surfrider Foundation and Santa Monica Baykeeper for the forthcoming Malibu World Surfing Reserve, which will be dedicated on October 9th.
Surfrider was founded in 1984 in large measure due to surfers’ love of the waves at Malibu and the fact that the inefficient sewage and runoff systems of Los Angeles were destroying the area’s water quality. Today the people of Los Angeles still risk losing a free recreational facility - the beaches and coast of Malibu and the Santa Monica region - to water pollution.
“We have rallied long and hard to exercise our right to demand clean and safe water to recreate in Malibu and in surrounding LA beaches,” declared Drew Albenze, Director of Surfrider West LA/Malibu Chapter. Recently, Surfrider in partnership with the Malibu Surfing Association, Santa Monica Baykeeper, other environmental non-profits and local citizens, won the campaign to issue a county ordinance to ban septic tanks in the Malibu Creek watershed.
Honorable Mayor of Malibu Jefferson Wagner, with backing from the Malibu City Council, has also officially supported the World Surfing Reserves initiative. The WSR designation will help highlight Malibu's recent cutting-edge environmental efforts, specifically the opening of Legacy Park, a multi-benefit clean water project, which includes a run-off treatment plant, development of riparian habitat and open space for environmental education and recreational enjoyment.
Last week Mayor Wagner stated, "Malibu's water quality problems have motivated the surf community to fight for its love of a perfect, pristine wave. It’s a great example for surfers across the world. Even adjacent to LA, a mega-city of almost 10 million people, local government is dedicating almost $100 million dollars to restoring the cleanliness and dignity of the water flowing into the surf break. Its a big deal."
Liz Crosson, Executive Director of Santa Monica Baykeeper and also a surfer, showed great excitement with the designation, yet also underlined the continued water quality threats to enjoying Malibu: "We can't forget that surfers and beachgoers continue to get sick at Malibu and nearby beaches. Our beaches in the Santa Monica Bay area still show high levels of bacteria. This World Surfing Reserves recognition must keep us inspired and vigilant to keep fighting for year-round clean water in the area."
This example of grassroots inter-agency cooperation with the Malibu World Surfing Reserve is exactly how World Surfing Reserves intends to build advocacy around surf spots all over the world, through local support and collaboration on unique issues affecting each break.
The enshrinement ceremony for the Malibu World Surfing Reserve will be held at Surfrider Beach on October 9th. The event will mark the commencement of a stewardship plan for Malibu aimed at building general awareness around the importance of protecting the world’s greatest, most cherished surf spots.
