Fostering love for the Ocean and environmental education
Jeffreys Bay – Kouga Municipality is thrilled to announce its partnership with JBay Surf Alliance, a collaboration aimed at fostering a keen love for the ocean and providing ongoing environmental education to local youth to help keep Kouga clean.
“Surfing has long been recognised as a catalyst for nurturing our souls and instilling a deep sense of responsibility towards our oceans,” said Kouga Executive Mayor, Hattingh Bornman.
“JBay Surf Alliance brings together like-minded individuals, who are committed to protecting and caring for our coastal environment, along with empowering our youth through after-school surf therapy programmes. The success of any conservation effort greatly relies on the support and involvement of the community.
“Together, we can effect sustainable change through protection, conservation, and education.”
In an exciting development, JBay Surf Alliance, in conjunction with the World Surfing League’s (WSL) One Ocean initiative, provided a unique opportunity for local youth to interact with professional surfers during their visit to compete in the Corona Open J-Bay this week (11 July 2023).
Esteemed surfers such as Matt McGillivray (the only local to compete in the Corona Open J-Bay), Jordy Smith, Carissa Moore, John Florence, Griffin Colapinto, Crosby Colapinto, Adin Masencamp, Lakey Peterson, Stephanie Gilmore, Liam O’Brien, and Frank Solomon, who passionately support the WSL One Ocean initiative, graciously dedicated their time and expertise to this remarkable project.
The event commenced with a delightful morning gathering, complete with biscuits and hot chocolate, and quickly transformed into a large group of enthusiastic youth engaging in mindfulness exercises, learning about oxygen, participating in a beach clean-up, and receiving first-hand assistance from the pro surfers.
“As a partner, Kouga Municipality is proud to be associated with this project and is committed to continuously educating our community to reduce the environmental impact of plastic and waste materials,” said Hattingh.
“This collaboration exemplifies the municipality’s unwavering dedication to safeguarding the environment and ensuring a sustainable future for all.”
To encourage broader participation, residents and business owners are invited to join WSL’s “Speak Up for the Ocean” campaign.
This innovative initiative urges fans worldwide to share their stories and sustainable initiatives on social media using the hashtag #WSLOneOcean. With its influential platform, the World Surfing League (WSL) aims to amplify the voices of individuals who are actively taking steps to protect our precious ocean and inspire others to join the cause. The goal is to foster a global community united in safeguarding our one ocean.
The municipality extend their gratitude to JBay Surf Alliance, the World Surfing League, the One Ocean initiative, and the incredible professional surfers for their commitment to preserving our oceans and creating environmental awareness. Together, we can make a substantial difference.
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