October 9, 2010 - Save The Waves: Malibu Dedication

On October 9, 2010, Surfrider Beach in Malibu received the first official "World Surfing Reserve" dedication from the Save The Waves Coalition.   The morning began with a traditional Chumash blessing, followed by a surfer paddle-out where participants join hands and share comments about the special occasion.   A handful of surfers went surfing afterwards. 

My friend and fellow activist Marilee Sweeney and I were captured holding hands during the paddle out by LA Times Photographer Christina House for the Times:

An ocean bond - (Christina House / For The Times / October 9, 2010)
Surfers join hands in a circle at Surfrider Beach.  The legendary Malibu break was
chosen from a list of hundreds submitted by surfing federations worldwide. 

The LA Times photo gallery can be viewed here.

You can see footage of me at the very end of this video (4:17 exactly) riding a small wave.    Later in the morning, the Save The Waves Coalition held a formal press conference.


Save the Waves: Malibu Dedication from Cole Smothers on Vimeo.