Seems like every time we have a water quality problem in the Indian River Lagoon, someone decides it's time to construct a new inlet to the Atlantic Ocean. Rationale - Let's push that dirty water into the ocean rather than solving the problem in the IRL. Yes, tidal exchange will help the IRL, but the responsible solution to IRL pollution is not dilution.
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Shellfish crisis in Apalachicola, the nation's "breadbasket" for oysters, because of bad water management in the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint water basin. Catastrophic algal blooms and ecosystem damage in Florida's coastal estuaries due to massive freshwater releases from Lake Okeechobee through the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie Rivers. Repeated algal blooms, massive loss of seagrass beds, impacted fisheries and historic levels of manatee and dolphin deaths in the Northern Indian River Lagoon. All are symptoms of failed water policies at both the state and federal level. At risk - the foundation of Florida's coastal and ocean economy. I'm glad to see the recent high-level of concern from citizens and industry...and resulting attention from elected officials. It's time for Florida to lead the nation in innovative and enlightened water policy implementation.
Time to recognize that responsible conservation of ocean and coastal resources = smart business. The economic future of Florida and the U.S. is dependent on clean water, healthy ecosystems, science-based management, and enlightened leadership.
At the strong urging of a couple of long-time Florida conservation friends (and ambivalence from probably everyone else), I have decided to use this blog for more than sharing story about exotic surf travel at an advanced age.
As surfers, we probably spend more time in the water than any other user group. Clean water, healthy coral reefs, beach access, sea level rise, climate change and many other ocean and coastal issues impact the ecological and economic integrity of coastal communities throughout the world. I will try to share science-based facts and emerging issues of concern on a regular basis. I welcome your comments. Let's see how this goes... Did You Know? In 2009, the National Ocean Economic Program (www.oceaneconomics.org) estimated that the 30 coastal and Great Lakes states in the U.S. contributed $11.4 trillion to the national GDP (2007 data). Clean water is the foundation for a healthy U.S. economy. Florida's water quality problems throughout the state highlight the need for expanded annual funding for long-term ecosystem research and monitoring.
Thanks to ISLANDEYEphotography and Kandui Resort for editing this nice video. Watching it makes me feel like an old kook though. Surf felt bigger. Waves felt heavier. Rides felt longer. Turns felt tighter. Videos don't lie. Guess that's why we are calling our annual surf adventure the Senior Citizens Surf Tour. Even screwed up the one clear shot at a backside barrel at Rifles. At least I made the drop... Good news - almost 60 and still taking off and having fun. Heading up to RI in a few weeks to map out the 2014 SCST III adventure plan with wingman, Mike Ryan.  Home less than a month... caught lots of great waves in Florida last week... and I'm already starting to pine away thinking how long it will be before the next surf-travel adventure. The cure...look at the great surf photos shot by Dave and Natsuko at ISLANDEYEphotography while we were at kandui Resort http://www.facebook.com/islandeyephotography
Too many great photos to post, but here is a cool angle on a small day at Last Resorts.  Working on technique with Mike showing stoke. Whole trip deserves the 2-arm claim :-)
 How would you like to be the Sheraton Bandara Bus driver when he arrives to pick up this crew for an overnight stay at hotel. How many surfboards do you have?
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