Davenport, Ca — Save The Waves Coalition and Cottonwood Creek Environmental Film Festival are proud to announce that Keeping Coast, the latest documentary film by Save The Waves, has received the Dumosa Award for Best Short Film at the Cottonwood Creek Environmental Film Festival.

The festival screened the film and presented the award this past weekend in downtown Encinitas, California at the historic La Paloma Theatre. “We love the engaging message of Keeping Coast,” announced festival jury chair Elizabeth Taylor who presented the award in a ceremony on Friday night, “and we are excited to reward its inspiring environmental message to protect our coastlines.”

Writer of the film and Save The Waves environmental director Josh Berry was present at the awards ceremony in Encinitas to accept the award on behalf of his friend and film director Angel Marin, and for Save The Waves Coalition. “I’m stoked we won – when you see the film you will understand why, but for now just remember my mantra: film as activism,” said Josh Berry, “and many thanks to the festival for producing such a great event to raise environmental awareness at the local community level.”

Keeping Coast is a 15-minute documentary film about Save The Waves Coalition’s community activist work in Chile and its efforts in co-founding Chile’s first Waterkeeper Alliance program, the Maule Itata Coastkeeper. The film chronicles local efforts against a proposed coal plant and other development issues presently threatening a pristine stretch of coastal waters in rural South America.

The film premiered at Adventure Film Festival in Chile in March of 2009, and will be screening at other festivals in coming months, including: World Oceans Day Film Festival this week in San Francisco; Surfilm Festibal in San Sebastián, Spain; the Wild and Scenic Film Festival Tour; and others to be announced soon.

Film trailer, screening information and synopsis can be viewed at keepingcoast.blogspot.com

About Save The Waves Coalition: Save The Waves is an environmental coalition dedicated to preserving the world’s surf spots and their surrounding environments. The organization’s goal is to preserve and protect surfing locations around the planet and to educate the public about their value. Save The Waves works to prevent coastal development from entering the surf zone. Save The Waves is a 501(c)3 nonprofit. savethewaves.org

About Cottonwood Creek Environmental Film Festival: The Cottonwood Creek Environmental Film Festival aims to collect the most innovative and inspiring films regarding environmental issues, nature and the ocean.  The CCEFF mission is to use film to inspire positive action on behalf of the environment and encourage stewardship of the planet: cottonwoodfilm.com

story via

Rebekka Stone had not quite overcame her fear of water when a friend persuaded her to try stand-up paddle surfing in March 2008 at a Miami beach.

A year and two months later, Stone finds herself teaching this unique sport to others in one of the most unlikeliest of places — the Great Salt Lake.

Stone, who grew up in Hartford, Conn., owns and operates Utah Paddle Surfing, a company that provides lessons primarily on the weekend and by appointment on other days at the Great Salt Lake. Stone moved to Salt Lake City in January after spending four years in Miami, and received a business license for Utah Paddle Surfing in early March.

Stand-up paddle surfing can best be described by its name — a mix between surfing and paddling. The sport utilizes a sizable surfing board (10 to 14 feet long) and an angled-blade paddle with that is usually 6 to 9 inches taller than the surfer’s height. Though the name implies that surfers stand up, they can also paddle surf on their knees or sitting down, all while using the paddle to direct their movement and speed.

Stand-up paddle surfing originated on the shores of Waikiki in Honolulu in the 1940s and has become increasingly popular. It doesn’t require big waves, allowing it to gain a following among people who live in land-locked areas, such as Utah, where only rivers and lakes are available.

The sport helped Stone overcome her fear of water, and she believes that it could provide similar benefits for others.

“My whole life, I’ve been afraid of water, and swimming has been a challenge for me,” Stone, 34, said. “About a year and a couple of months ago, a friend introduced me to surfing. I don’t have good balance, have never been a good skier and can’t skateboard or roller blade, so I didn’t think I’d be able to surf. But the first time I tried it, I thought maybe this would help me overcome my fear of water. So, I went back every week, a couple of times every week, and I started being there almost everyday. Then I kind of needed to get my own board to cater to that craving.

“It’s helped me overcome my fear of water and helped me develop balance and focus. There’s an inner peace that comes when you’re able to be on a board.”

Stone and fellow trainer, Greg Gbrow, offer clinics for $10 from noon to 2 p.m. every Saturday at the Great Salt Lake Marina State Park. Their boards, which can hold up to 300 pounds, can be rented for $20 an hour from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Private lessons are available for $40 an hour on Saturday and on Sunday. Rentals or lessons for other days are arranged by appointment. The company occasionally holds lessons at the Saltair.

Stone said that between five and 10 people attend each clinic. She believes that the business is growing well, despite the misconception that you can’t surf in Utah.

“People think you can’t go surfing in Utah, but you can go surfing anywhere there’s water,” she said. “People will take these paddle boards on the river, and even in whitewater rapids.”

Shawn Young, 36, received his first taste of stand-up paddle surfing in late May and liked it.

“A couple minutes into my first time out, I felt myself feeling that sensation of planing across the water,” said Young, who lives in Washington, D.C. “It was wonderful; I felt stoked. I just think that it’s the most surreal place, this salt water lake in the middle of the Rocky Mountains.”

story via

New book fetches stories, digs up advice for surfing dogs

TasteTV and TCB Cafe Publishing & Media announce the 2009 Revised Edition release of their most unique book, ‘THE DOG’S GUIDE TO SURFING : Hanging Ten with Man’s Best Friend.’

Humans aren’t the only “surf dogs” – surfers’ four-legged friends love water too, and many even like catching waves. These amphibious canines are special creatures: Top surfers believe that dogs who learn to surf develop a unique attitude, knowing they have something that sets them apart from other dogs.

For anyone who loves the antics of “man’s best friend,” The Dog’s Guide to Surfing is indispensable, collecting stories, lessons, and advice in one richly illustrated book. For surf-lovers, there’s also plenty of information on surf gear and riding a wave, both with and without a pooch. From mounting a massive seven-footer to simply playing in the water, The Dog’s Guide to Surfing shows how to really be a surf dog.

To support the book and surf dog lovers, TasteTV has also created the Surf Dog Community & Video website, SurfDogSeries.com, and the Surf Dog Championships .

The Surf Dog Championships sponsored by TasteTV, are based on the book and were originally created by TCB Cafe Publishing as the Small Wave Surf Dog Competition in 2006. The event was based on the book, “The Dog’s Guide to Surfing.” The first event took place at a luxury hotel in San Diego. Its success was so great that it has spawned several similar dog surfing events.

TasteTV is now expanding its original Surf Dog Competition to an International surf dog contest series including local surf groups, dog and pet organizations, television, and fun-loving friends. “THE DOG’S GUIDE TO SURFING” is available now on Amazon.com, and soon in Borders, Barnes & Noble, Books Inc., and bookstores nationwide.

Reviews:

A lighthearted read and … a fun holiday gift for the surfing dog-lover on your list. — Santa Cruz Sentinel,

For you if you make little cooing noises when you see a Labrador in a bandana and sunglasses. — Surf Life For Women Magazine

Fun! — Huntington Beach News

Teach your dog how to rip with personal stories, lessons, advice, movies, gear and surfwear, everything a surfdog needs. — SURFING Magazine

You’re going to howl from cover to cover and be talking about this book…for months. — The Maui Weekly

story via