Tom Jones : photo Ray Wolfgramm
Paddleboard News
Tom Jones' California Paddle on final leg of journey
Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 10 October, 2007 : - - San Diego – On November 3, extreme endurance athlete and environmental activist Tom Jones will be on the last leg of a record-setting 1,250 mile expedition that has taken him down the entire coast of California on nothing more than a 14-ft. paddleboard.
His arrival in San Diego County marks the end of a journey that began on August 4 in Crescent City and has taken Tom – often through cold and shark-infested waters - along our beautiful coastline with a goal of being the first person to complete this voyage.
San Diegans are invited to welcome Tom and congratulate him on completing his epic journey during a Paddle Out and Beach Cleanup planned in his honor on November 3, Ocean Beach Pier, 9 a.m. All people-powered vessels are invited to join in solidarity to protect the ocean. Joining Tom in the water in San Diego will be local celebrity surfers and supporters. The event will feature breakfast, vendors and a live bluegrass band, Second Delivery.
His journey is devoted to bringing world-wide attention to the problem of plastic pollution in our oceans and its dire impact on marine life. That’s why partnering with San Diego Coastkeeper makes so much sense. “Most people don’t realize that more than 50 percent of marine litter is in the form of plastic, in areas of the Pacific Ocean plastic outweighs plankton by a six to one ratio!, “ said Coastkeeper spokesperson Danielle Miller.
“A high profile event like this helps bring attention to these chilling issues and aids in our pursuit to protect and preserve our precious resources through education and action.”
Hundreds of surfers and environmentalist have welcomed him in the surf and on beaches throughout California in support of his exhausting quest. San Diegans will have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to celebrate the completion of this historic event and join in the effort to take a stand for the environment. At the end of each day his location is pegged to a GPS position. He returns to that point each morning to resume the expedition. Shore stops include:
Sept 6 - Bodega Bay Oct 1 - Morro Bay Oct 28 - Laguna Beach
Sept 8 - Stinson Beach Oct 3 - Pismo Beach Oct 29 - Dana Point
Sept 9 - San Francisco Oct 13 - Santa Barbara Nov 2 - La Jolla
Sept 10 - Pacifica Oct. 20 - Malibu Nov 1 - Cardiff
Sept 15 - Santa Cruz Oct. 23 - Hermosa Beach Nov 3 - San Diego
Sept 20 – Monterey Oct. 25 - Long Beach Nov 4 - Imperial Beach
Sept 21 - Carmel-by-the-Sea Oct. 27 - Huntington Beach
Founded in 1995, San Diego Coastkeeper protects the region’s bays, beaches, watersheds and ocean for the people and wildlife that depend on them. We group balances community outreach, education, and advocacy to promote stewardship of clean water and a healthy coastal ecosystem. Money raised for the California Paddle 2007 event will go to the Tom Jones Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports underprivileged children and the environment.
www.sdcoastkeeper.org
www.californiapaddle.com
More USA/Cen Amer. surfing news available here
Check the latest West Coast Surf Reports and Forecasts
New! B2B News ASBE-Surf | Receive News-Alerts
Barbara Gentile-Crary
Paddle - Surfersvillage
