SURFING SOAPBOX: Working for the future

Every time I am out surfing, helping another young person learn how to surf, it reminds me of myself when I was young and learning.

I remember the moment I stood up for the first time on that dinged-up old 6-feet 4-inch white-but-turned-yellow surfboard that meant the world to me.

The first time I stood up on it was when my life changed forever.

Now, in these rare moments of self-reflection, watching the next generation of surfers out there learning, I appreciate everything that surfing has meant to me — the world.

And I want kids out there today to have the same opportunities that I had growing up in this wonderful town — a town that I believe is becoming more and more conscious of the effects that tourism is having on our beaches and our town.

This is our chance at remaining a beach town — supporting our beach cleanup programs. There is another Adopt-A-Beach Cleanup on Sept. 16.

There is an Environmental Committee meeting open to the community on Sept. 12 where people can speak up and participate in what is going on here in our town.

Finally, there is again talk of cleaning up Aliso Creek. There are so many ways for people to get more involved in this community that we call home.

Write letters. Pick up a piece of trash. Attend a City Council meeting or join a local community or neighborhood group.

The more people, the bigger the voice and the cause of keeping Laguna the town that it has always been — a town chock full of great people who care for our town and its beaches, greenbelts and people.

This is a town that cares about its own history in stepping up when needed in the fire, the slides and even the community outreach in putting on the world’s longest-running surfing contest — the Brooks Street surfing classic.

Laguna, it is time to step up once again and ensure that our town is as great as it was for us growing up here — for the next generations of Lagunans.

Peace.