About 300 people turned out for Surfrider Foundation San Diego County\u2019s 30th annual Paddle for Clean Water on Sunday, Oct. 2 at the Ocean Beach Pier.<\/p>\n
The event included a host of activities, starting with breakfast for paddlers and beach yoga, to promote clean water and protest ocean pollution. The paddle involved crafts such as surfboards, stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, etc. in a non-competitive paddle around OB Pier. It was a mass display of solidarity for coastline protection.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Paddle for Clean Water is a gathering for all San Diegans who love our coast and ocean,\u201d said Alex Ferron, San Diego County Chapter manager. \u201cIt\u2019s a fun, family-friendly event that shows elected officials and other decision-makers that clean water matters to all of us.\u201d
\nMitch Silverstein, San Diego County policy coordinator for Surfrider Foundation, said the paddle event started out in the early \u201990s in response to a growing number of sewage spills. \u201cIt wasn\u2019t even about the border sewage issue, which wasn\u2019t happening that much yet,\u201d he said adding the focus has changed gradually over the years.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe event has really morphed into a rallying call and an awareness-building event rather than something specific,\u201d Silverstein said. \u201cUsually, it’s (focus) whatever the biggest clean-water issue is for the year.\u201d<\/p>\n
What is the big issue in 2022?<\/p>\n
\u201cDefinitely our cross-border sewage crisis,\u201d answered Silverstein adding, \u201cIt\u2019s been going on forever. There have been a lot of developments. We\u2019re doing some good work and making some progress.\u201d<\/p>\n
But Silverstein offered this caveat. \u201cReally, our water is polluted any time it rains. We\u2019re just trying to advocate for better treatment of stormwater and wastewater. Everything ends up in the ocean eventually.\u201d<\/p>\n
Silverstein talked about one of Surfrider San Diego\u2019s first big victories, a successful clean-water lawsuit in the late 1990s to early 2000s. \u201cThe lawsuit forced the City to repair some stormwater and sewage infrastructure,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The Oct. 2 paddle occurred at 10 a.m., followed by a group photo, words from Surfrider Foundation leaders and guests, and a prize drawing, which featured a surfboard and Jack Johnson concert tickets.<\/p>\n
A local surf rock band closed out the event with a live set at noon. The emcee was local radio personality and longtime Surfrider supporter, Chris Cantore. Guests were able to visit booths hosted by Surfrider partners, which included Un Mar De Colores, San Diego River Park Foundation, Groundswell Community Group, Paddle For Peace, San Diego Coastkeeper, Run for the Sun, and San Diego Community Power.<\/p>\n
Of Surfrider\u2019s mission, chapter manager Ferron said it was \u201cocean conservation in San Diego, all 72 miles of coastline.\u201d She added, \u201cthere are a lot of issues right now \u2013 water quality, beach access, coastal erosion, all sorts of stuff related to ocean conservation and health.\u201d<\/p>\n
The nonprofit spokesperson said the intent of the paddle is to \u201craise awareness about local water-quality issues,\u201d noting, as just one example, \u201cThat 50 million gallons of raw sewage a day goes into the ocean off San Diego\u2019s coastline.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ferron said beach access is another major concern. \u201cIn San Diego, it is not very easy to access the coastline if you don\u2019t live there, or if you are on the lower end of the socio-economic scale,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Added Ferron, \u201cWe hope to be paddling for another 30 years. But, hopefully, we won\u2019t have the same need too.\u201d<\/p>\n
For more information about San Diego Surfrider Foundation, visit wwwsurfridersd.org.<\/p>\n
The Surfrider Foundation is dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world\u2019s ocean, waves and beaches, for all people, through a powerful activist network. The foundation works to protect oceans and address the dangers to them, today and in the future. Its Ocean Protection Initiative includes grassroots campaigns to establish and support Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), oppose new offshore oil drilling and seismic testing, participate in regional ocean planning, and ensure renewable ocean energy does not damage the oceans.<\/p>\n
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