Surf trips with a purpose are always the most rewarding…
In early July, Chris del Moro, Chadd Konig, Pat Millin, and photographer Nick LaVecchia headed down to the annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission in Panama City. Although their main purpose was to attend the conference and represent Surfers for Cetaceans, they also embarked on a surf voyage along Panama’s Caribbean coastline once the meetings concluded.
“Environmental work can leave you feeling deflated and overwhelmed,” says Chris del Moro. “People who value fiscal progress over the care for our planet can take the wind out of your sails. But then there is the uplifting side of the work that keeps us coming back, year after year, fighting the senseless acts of cruelty faced by these creatures.” After the commission meeting, the crew was happy to spend some time relaxing in a more serene locale.
“Surfers For Cetaceans’ main objective for this trip was to maintain the front line of ocean conservation activism,” says Chris. “We were blessed to work alongside groups such Women For Whales, Sea Shepherd, Greenpeace, Whales Alive, and IFAW. As usual, Howie Cooke [pictured above], who started S4C alongside Dave Rastovich, acted as our group’s catalytic heart beat. With more than 35 years of cetacean activism, he’s a wealth of knowledge, artistic talent, and non-stop energy focused on defending our seas.”
Photos: Nick LaVecchia
For the full article check out Surfer Magazine.
