This whole dolphin killing thing has bothered me ever since I saw this youtube video (prepare your stomach). After the many stories I have heard about dolphins saving surfers, I think we owe it to them not to kill them.

STORY

PRESSURE will mount on Broome to dump its Japanese sister city, Taiji, after the Australian premiere of the new documentary The Cove.

American Louie Psihoyos’s film reveals undercover footage from the Japanese port of the systematic annual capture and slaughter of thousands of dolphins for sale and consumption.

“It’s like an Auschwitz for dolphins,” said Psihoyos, in Australia for the documentary’s Sydney Film Festival premiere.

“A lot of people who work in this industry feel it’s going to put the nail in the coffin of the dolphin hunting industry,” said the photographer for National Geographic and director of the Oceanic Preservation Society.

“There’s no way it can keep going on, not just because of the inhumanity to animals but because of the inhumanity to man. People don’t realise these dolphins they’re eating are toxic.”

read more here

Dr Tony Butt’s new lecture series provides an introduction into the basic concepts of wave dynamics

Wetsand’s very own European forecaster Dr. Tony Butt and his colleague Gabi Perez have embarked on a mission to bring forecasting to the masses. Tony is a big wave specialist based out of the Basque country, as well as a leading ocean research scientist.  His new lecture series provides an introduction into the basic concepts of wave dynamics and surf forecasting.

Asier Viteri Davila, technician of the Basque School of Deporte, is quoted saying he was “enchanted with the result of the course and the professionalism, amiability and availability of Gabi and Tony.”  The course has been praised by past attendees, and is destined to be a success again.  This weekend (June 13th and 14th 2009) is the next chance to catch the lecture.  The course will take place in Gij’on and you will be able to find information in Spanish at: buenasolas.com

Further down the road the next proposed course will be held in Ireland during mid September.  As details are released we will continue to update. If you’ve attended one of the lectures so far, leave us a comment and let us know what you thought…

Further Information:

Speakers:
Dr. Tony Butt – Ocean Sciences Graduate
PhD. in Physical Oceanography. Plymouth University
Gabi Pérez – Computer Engineer

Objectives:
• Know the physical mechanisms that produce and determine the dynamics of the breaking waves in the surf.
• Provide students the knowledge needed to decode isobaric maps and charts, making them able to predict the dynamics of waves and local atmospheric conditions through those maps.
• Use of the Internet for the prediction of waves and sea conditions.

Directed to:
People linked to sports, but especially those linked to federations, clubs, companies and public sports  services.

Language:
Spanish (in Basque country)
English (in Ireland)

Enrolment (for June):
1. In Kiroleskola office: Avda. los Chopos, s/n 48992 Getxo (Bizkaia) Tel: 94 430 48 67 / Fax: 94 430 90 11  Seats: At least 15 people and at the most 40 . Price for lecture in Gij’on: 20 EU

more info here

NSSA announces Surfer Scholar list for 08-09 school year

One of the primary goals of the National Scholastic Surfing Association is to encourage and honor the academic achievement of its membership.   The Surfer Scholar list serves to recognize NSSA student surfers who have a passion for learning and have excelled scholastically.  The National Scholastic Surfing Association congratulates all of our student surfers who have maintained an outstanding 3.5 GPA or higher for the 2008-09 school year.

• check out the full list of scholars here