Surfing Soapbox: Greener pastures

In 2002, as part of team OP, I traveled to Puerto Vallarta for a photo shoot. At the time I was about to sign the biggest deal of my pro surfing career, and my surfing future seemed brighter than ever — until Hurricane Kenna, a category 5 hurricane, smashed into us, washing away any future deal I had with OP. (The only Pacific hurricanes to strike Mexico at greater intensity were 1976’s Hurricane Madeline and an unnamed 1959 storm.)

In many ways that trip changed me forever. Being faced with a natural disaster and literally looking death in the face, I came away with a greater appreciation for life. Now, almost seven years later to the day, I am returning to the same region to speak at Mexico’s first “green” school. Anticipation, nervousness and excitement once again fill my soul, much like they did seven years ago.

Really though, I think you experience all of those feelings any time you’re traveling to a foreign land. It’s part of the excitement of travel, seeing the way other cultures live. Costa Verde International School in Sayulita, Mexico, is a learning community, encouraging residents to search for and solve the problems relevant to their community.

In my mind, being “green” is about searching for better ways and better solutions to our environmental problems. I think this is a great opportunity for me to learn as much as possible about the green cause. We have students working on an essay contest about the importance of preserving our environment and how to better care for it.

The winner will spend the day with me surfing and receive a gift bag from my sponsors. In the end, I think the students may just have more to offer me through their essays and teachings. Long live the world of learning.

Peace.

JAMES PRIBRAM is a Laguna Beach native, professional surfer and John Kelly Environmental Award winner. His websites include AlohaSchoolofSurfing and ECOWarrior Surf.com. He can be reached at Jamo@Aloha SchoolofSurfing.com