Whereas Surfrider Foundation is getting ready for the Ocean Initiatives 2010 which takes place in 1 month, some of our friends and godfather are getting ready to set the snow on fire at the Vancouver Olympic Games… Before the OI, here is the program for the OG:

Tonight, Monday February 15^th, from 7.30pm, Xavier and Polo de le Rue, 2 friends of Surfrider Foundation, will compete in the Snowboardcross race.

Wednesday February 17^th, from 10.05pm, it will be Mathieu Crepel to challenge the Vancouver’s Half Pipe. Our godfather snowboarder will have one night to go up the first step of the podium.

Ready, steady, go… Surfrider is here to support all of you.

In this plan there are several points which describe how to control the development of this phenomenon, as the necessity to reduce the nitrate rate, to improve the collecting, to make the agricultural activities more eco-aware…

But it seems that the real problem of this plan is the lack of preventive propositions and also the lack of a specific calendar adapted to this serious pollution.

Every stakeholder agrees that this plan is not a success and they feel disappointed. For example the farmers want more study and need special specifications to work while the environmental associations need a full revolution of the agricultural activities. But the State is the only structure able to legislate the farmer’s activities.

Local elected members feel at a loose end and are waiting for some details about the plan before saying it’s a failure.

The problem seems to be linked to a lack of consultation between all the stakeholders and we seriously hope this plan is not a failure.

We thank all the artists for their participation and work.

Eventually, a "20 years" logo and several creations that will decorate t-shirts for children and older.

Winners (themes / designer / design title)

• LOGO FOR THE 20 YEARS / REYNALD LELEU / VISUEL 20 ANS
• AWARENESS / AURELIE MONIOT / TYPO SURFRIDER
• MARE URDINA / PATRICK TROTIGNON / MARE URDINA
• HYDROCARBONPOLLUTION/ PATRICK TROTIGNON / STOP POLLUTION
• COMMUNITY / MATHIAS AGUERRE / LOVE
• WATER CYCLE/ MATHIAS AGUERRE / LOCHMESS

Note that this list is not complete. Some other proposals caught our attention, but they are not ready to use as we received them...

Currently, the cleaning of beaches are in the account drop, according to human and material resources of each city concerned. Some bans appear to have been lifted as we approach the weekend despite the prevailing opacity around the toxicity of the spilled product.  The analysis, carried out by Cedre, did not determine the origin of the pollution spreading still trails the Erika and Prestige have also swept the event of an accident at the Donges refinery .

We are still awaiting results on the rates of toxicity, surprised that such information is not yet available 10 days after the disaster.

The collective anti-spill regrets his side lack the Polmar Plan and seeks the creation of a background of budget support for municipalities affected. We denounce jointly delayed response of the State address this new disaster environment which we do not yet know the impact on local fauna and flora.

In order to extend this monitoring on the french basque coast, Surfrider needs you, members, dyed-in-the-wool volunteers, or just sea lovers, to regulary take samples of water on the beaches of Hendaye, Bidart and Anglet (Chambre d’Amour).

For all those who are motivated to give some time, get their spot to evolve and have a better knowledge of the water quality,

PLEASE contact Grégory Le Moigno 05 59 23 54 99

E-Mail : glemoignosurfrider.fr

Les 24 et 25 octobre prochain, sur la plage du Verdon à la Couronne (Martigues, 13), le programme intègrera  à la fois des épreuves individuelles et des épreuves par équipe de sauvetage côtier sportif.

Surfrider Foundation Europe se joint à l’événement par l’intermédiaire d’un stand d’animation et de sensibilisation à la fragilité du littoral et de l’environnement marin. Nous y présenterons l’ensemble de nos activités sur le littoral en France et en Europe avec notamment un focus sur le travail de nos laboratoires de suivi de la qualité des eaux d’activités nautiques.

These discussions are for us a first step in the developing of a global lobbying strategy whose purpose is to be increased at full length during this 5-year mandate. Our intentions are to re affirm our presence within the European institutions in order to influence future legislative issues. Our specific work programs such as macrowaste, bathing water quality, coastal negative changes (erosion and concrete constructions) and maritime transport are to us, such important subjects on which claims and actual propositions will have to be put forward.

Indeed, our fieldwork on the follow-up of our Keepers of the Coast files enables us to know the deficiencies and difficulties in the implementation of the adopted standards. This monitoring network, active in the whole European territory, has become an important database and reveals the lack or the inappropriateness of the law when it comes to some real coastal issues. Beyond our legal expertise, the Keepers of the Coast give a fresh look at these issues and enable us to make proposals at institutional level.

In 2005, we had already initiated this approach when the directive on the bathing water quality was passed. From then on, we must intensify our actions by participating to the elaboration and the reflection on the applicability of European standards related to our core subjects with the European commission (workshops, European Maritime Days…). The European Parliament is for us another piece of the European chessboard on which we must pressure on.

Two Mps, Sandrine Belier and Yannick Jadot, agreed to sign our petition giving great scope to our action. Other meetings will continue throughout these upcoming months aiming at strenghtening the strategic lobbyong potential of the organization.

Departing from La Rochelle on Déphémérides pour une mer propre, Sébastien Stéphant, has missed the first buoy as 30 other skippers. A first mistake which makes him losing one hour.  Managing his stress carefully, Sébastien takes patiently his misfortune. He lets the wind pushing him somehow and performs records with his boat: 206.44 miles in 24 hours! Well done captain! Arrived 13^th over 36, about 7 days and 6 hours of intensive race, 1248 miles run with an average speed of 7.16 knots, he can check up and fix his boat right now, before crossing Atlantic Ocean until Brasilia.

On his side, Fabien Sellier has lived a snarky race on his Surfrider Foundation pogo. Few hours after the departure, whereas he was sailing at 25 knots, he lost a rudder blade! Back to La Rochelle, should he give up? No way! Just change the rudder blade, and let’s go! Back to the race to Madeira, he lost his beacon! No problem it will be find by the race manager team! He finally shows the brow in Madeira at the 46^th over 48! Anyway, the second round is coming, but also a wonderful party in Salvador de Bahia… His own wedding party! Congratulation Fabien!

Cuddled boat and wedding date on the agenda, our skippers are going to leave Madeira on Saturday October 3^rd, with Salvador de Bahia as the line of fire.

Come on guys, eat miles, we are with you!

By getting closer from Surfrider, the FSF confirms its commitments for the protection of: waves, littoral and water quality. The FSF could find in Surfrider some support for the training of members, the provision of educational tools, or the organization of “green” competition and environmental events. On his side, Surfrider finds in this partnership not only the opportunity to raise awareness of the love of the ocean, but also the possibility to look for new Ocean Initiatives and new Coast Keepers…  FSF members, get committed!

The FSF and Surfrider put together their feet on the same board in order to surf on pure waves.

For more informations

FSF: Serge Lougarot - 06 82 23 60 48

Ecosurf project manager :  Carole Fensterbank - 06 79 75 51 41

SFE: Gabriel Gelin - 06 08 10 58 02