O’Neill CWC Update from SANS President

SANS President Justin Huston passed along this update:

“On Thursday, May 26th I met with Pascal Morian, the Directior of Marketing for Oneill Canada. Mr. Moisan is the point person for O’Neill Canada for the Cold Water Classic, and he was in town to speak with various people in relation to the CWC, including the Mayor, city councillors, and others. I met with him to learn more about what O’Neill has planned and to share SANS’ perspective.

· Mr. Moisan said that while funding has been tentatively secured from the city, the CWC is not 100% a go. He stated that, despite the way the event came to light, it has always been O’Neill’s plan to work closely with the local surf community to gain support before going forward (see below statement which O’Neill released May 27th).

· We discussed how O’Neill intended to engage the local surfing community, and the possible role SANS might play in this. SANS is currently considering how, in conjunction with Councillor Barkhouse, it might host an information/consultation session between local surfers, residents, and O’Neill.

· We didn’t get into much detail about the actual contest, since Mr. Moisan is not in charge of running the CWC, but I said that SANS, and the surfing community in general, have no idea what this event will really look like on the ground (format, infrastructure, space, etc.), and that is where a lot of questions and concerns are coming from. I think O’Neill’s plan will be to share a detailed contest plan as part of their process to seek local feedback.

· We discussed in a general sense three areas of concern that SANS has consistently raised since the CWC came on the scene two weeks ago: What will be the positive benefit/legacy to the local surfing community? What will long-term impact be to relations between surfers and Cow Bay residents? And the elephants in the room: what if there’s no surf?! And where do you think you’ll be able to fit this thing in Cow Bay?

· We didn’t get into much detail on the first two areas of concern, and I made it very clear that neithert I, nor SANS, claims to speak on behalf of all Nova Scotia surfers, and that these type of issues/concerns are what O’Neill needs to talk to the local surfing community about.

· We discussed in more detail the reality of surfing in Nova Scotia, and Cow Bay specifically, and the lack of surf and lack of access sites for a contest of this size and duration. Mr. Moisan, the first to admit that he isn’t a surfer, took lots of notes to share with his CWC colleagues. I offered to talk to anyone else at O’Neill about these issues so that they can understand the reality on the ground.”

Check out O’Neill’s recent press release: O’Neill Looks to Halifax

All for now, folks! Stay tuned for an update on a possible community meeting with O’Neill!

What We Know: Details from HRM Council

With all of the rumors and conflicting reports floating around, we feel it’s important to get all of the current information we have in your hands. We hope this will provide some clarity and will give you the facts to make your own informed opinions.

The grant that was passed on Tuesday, May 24, 2011 reads:

10.5.1 O’Neil Cold Water Classic Grant Application

The following motion was approved:

That Halifax Regional Council approve the 2011/12 Non-Annual grant award of $145,000 (as amended) for the O’Neil Cold Water Classic, to be funded from the Marketing Levy Special Events Reserve (Q315);

- That O’Neill and HRM staff work with the host community and the local surfing community during the planning of the event;

- That O’Neil and HRM staff make every effort to work with the host community to minimize any impact to the host community and environment by looking as shuttle service, etc, to address transportation and parking issues, and to provide a commitment to leave the area in condition consistent to what it was prior to the event.; and

- That O’Neil commit to work collaboratively with the community, Councillors, HRM staff and the Province on a long term strategy for surfing, if they intend to make this an annual event.

** Councilor Barkhouse added amendments to the proposal (in bold). These new non-negotiable conditions exist thanks to her work and acknowledgement of the value of community consultation. The original motion just gave money. This is a positive step moving forward.

As always, we look forward to learning more.

“Coldwater lukewarm in Canada”: ESPN Reports on Halifax Surf Story

“Surf War Erupts!” Well, not really…

Letter to Mayor Peter Kelly

SANS has written to Mayor Kelly and Halifax Regional Council to respectfully request that Halifax Regional Council postpone consideration of funding $145,000 for the O’Neill Cold Water Classic until local surfers and residents have been adequately consulted.

There has been zero opportunity for the local surfing community to learn about the proposed event, ask questions, and identify their concerns, which is why we are asking Council to postpone making any funding decisions on the Cold Water Classic until after this has taken place. To provide funding now would be putting the cart before the horse, and would send the wrong message to O’Neill and the people that live and surf in the HRM.

Stay tuned to the SANS website for updates this week as we learn more.

O’Neill Cold Water Classic Update

O'Neill Coldwater Classic

Since news of the Cold Water Classic contest came to SANS’ attention on Tuesday, May 17th, I’ve had the opportunity to speak with HRM and O’Neill Canada staff.  Both people I spoke with were quite open and forthcoming in answering my questions.  I’ve contacted the ASP by email, and am awaiting a response.

Below is a run-down of the situation as of today, Friday May 20^th, as best as I can understand things.  I’ve tried to be as objective as possible and just try to state the key facts.

The SANS Board will be meeting early next week to discuss the issue, and I will be meeting with an O’Neill Canada representative later in the week.

The purpose of the meeting with O’Neill is not to discuss the pros and cons of the contest, or to strike some sort of deal.  It’s to learn more about what they envision the CWC classic looking like here, and how they would engage the local surf community to understand and address its concerns.

At this stage, SANS’ main concern is that the very people that will be the most impacted by the CWC, the local surfers and local residents, must have a voice in deciding whether or not such an event should even go forward in the first place, and if so, what shape it should take to respect our interests and benefit the local community.  So far that hasn’t been the case.

Following our meetings next week, we will provide an update on the latest information, and try to set-up a way to hear from our members and the general surf community on this issue.  Maybe an online survey, an open house meeting, etc.  Ideas are welcome.

In the meantime, I hope the information below helps to answer some of the questions people have and it will likely raise new ones.  If you’d like to share your questions and perspectives, please post something on our website or Facebook page, or you can send us an email.  If you do, please be respectful—remember, it’s just surfing and when all is said and done we still need to live and surf together.

Thanks,

Justin

(SANS President)

*****************************

·      O’Neill plans to hold a Cold Water Classic contest in the Halifax area, September 19-25, 2011.

·      The Cold Water Classic is a 6-star World Qualifying Series event that includes approximately 96 professional surfers, streaming on-line coverage, along with associated infrastructure and support staff required for an event of this size.  Typically, 5 days of good quality contest surf is required to run the contest.

www.oneill.com/cwc/ONeill_Coldwater_Classic_Series_Home.html

·      The Nova Scotia surfing community first became aware of the event on or around May 17^th when it was discovered that the event was listed on the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) website.

www.aspworldtour.com/schedule/asp-mens-star-events-schedule/

·      Apparently, O’Neill approached HRM for funding support for the event approximately 2 months ago.

·      This Tuesday, May 24^th, HRM Council will consider providing funding of $145,000 to support the event.

www.halifax.ca/council/agendasc/documents/110524ca1051.pdf

·      Neither O’Neill nor HRM contacted SANS or the broader surfing community prior to the event being announced online.

·      According to both HRM and O’Neill, the idea was to first confirm that the event could go forward from a financial perspective (i.e. funding support from HRM), then consult with the local surfing community and local residents.

·      According to O’Neill, due to a miscommunication with the ASP, the event was posted online prematurely.

·    HRM apparently had no idea that the contest might not be received positively by the surfing community, while O’Neill was aware of this and was planning to work with the surfing community to address any concerns.

·      Approximately three years ago, in the Fall of 2008, O’Neill representatives visited the Halifax area to determine the viability of holding a CWC event here. They met with SANS representatives, HRM staff, and various local surfers to discuss the potential of holding the contest, likely in the Cow Bay area.

·      At that time, SANS representatives and other local surfers raised a number of questions and concerns about the viability and impact of holding such an event here, and had requested that if the event were to go forward, that O’Neill ensure a positive legacy for the local community, for example assisting in the purchase of what is now the Cow Bay Surf Park (which was actually purchased last year by HRM).

·      O’Neill had shown a willingness to work with SANS and local surfers to address concerns that they had with the event.

·      However, in the end, citing their concerns about the high likelihood of not having 5 days of quality surf during the contest window, and not due to the fact that there may have been a lack of overwhelming support or the necessary infrastructure, O’Neill withdrew it’s proposal and decided instead to hold the event in Tofino, BC in 2009 and 2010.

·      The surf has not measurable improved or become more consistent since 2008.

·      It is not entirely clear why O’Neill decided not to return to Tofino, although based on news from Tofino it appears that O’Neill was unable to secure necessary funding support.

http://www2.canada.com/westerly/story.html?id=508217a0-6b47-4303-b8b2-b75528821a1a

http://tofinonews.blogspot.com/2011/04/april-252011-coldwater-classic-update.html

2011 Annual General Meeting

We will be hosting our 2011 Annual General Meeting on May 31 in Dartmouth. If you are interested in getting involved, or learning more about SANS, this will be an excellent opportunity to meet/re-connect with members of the surfing community, and the current SANS board. We will review what we did in 2010 and discuss plans for moving forward through 2011 and beyond…

2011 Nor'Easter

If you are interested in openings on the SANS board, or any other information, e-mail us at sans@surfns.com. If you plan to come, please RSVP for the address/directions and so we can get a feel for numbers.

Hope to see you there!

O’Neill Coldwater Classic coming East?

O'Neill Coldwater Classic Canada

Members of the surf community were caught off guard yesterday when a Halifax contest date was announced on the ASP website. The O’Neill Coldwater Classic, a 6-star ASP WQS event, is scheduled for mid-September.

At this point, with so little known about the event, SANS isn’t prepared to condemn or support the event, but it’s more than a little disappointing that the local surf community wasn’t even consulted.

We’d like to hear what you have to say about the idea of a 6-star WQS surf contest coming to Halifax in mid-September. Please post your thoughts/concerns below or send us an e-mail: sans@surfns.com

Pepsi pouring out grants for refreshing ideas

Pepsi is giving away over one million dollars in grants to fund great ideas. Winners will be decided through online voting. The ideas that receive the most votes on the Pepsi website will be awarded the money required to fund their project. These ideas are ways to better our communities. Voting is open to the public, and you are encouraged to vote daily throughout the voting period of May 1 to June 30 at refresheverything.ca.

Through this incredible community refresh project from Pepsi, the Surfing Association of Nova Scotia (SANS) has an idea in the running for a $25,000 grant. SANS’ submitted idea is to have access available to coastline and ocean activities for everyone. One way to reach this goal is to ensure beach access to coastline in Cow Bay. The second part of this plan is to start a surf lesson program that will be specialized to the needs of people experiencing disabilities and other challenges throughout Nova Scotia.

Cow Bay Project

Since 2007, the Coastal Access Committee (CAC) has been working with the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) to secure public access for locations in Cow Bay. For years, the idea of purchasing land bordering certain areas was discussed, and in late 2009, HRM Municipal Council approved the purchase of a coastal lot in Cow Bay.

A pre-condition to this purchase was a commitment from the CAC and the surf community to act as stewards of the property, and to make a contribution to the cost of infrastructure of a boardwalk to access the coast, walking trails and a small parking area.

The committee has made some progress with fundraising efforts towards the goal of $15,000 for the project’s infrastructure. Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) and a private investor have donated portions to this goal. CAC also has a board fundraiser campaign – $100 donations can purchase a board engraved with name to be displayed at the Cow Bay site. This effort and other SANS’ events are ongoing as we try to raise the $10,000 more required. The construction for this project’s infrastructure can begin this summer if SANS wins the Pepsi Grant with your help.

Surf Lesson Project

The Surfing Association of Nova Scotia’s other goal is to create a surf program that is available to people who experience challenges and disabilities throughout Nova Scotia. Everyone should have the opportunity to experience the ocean, but without funding, resources and personnel, this project is not possible. $15,000 of the Pepsi $25,000 grant would be used to purchase specialized surf equipment and for a staff member to co-ordinate and instruct all specialized surf lessons throughout Nova Scotia. The program will be as cost-effective as possible. It is the surf association’s goal to provide this program free of charge for the participants.

Surfing can benefit everyone, physically, mentally and emotionally. It makes a positive difference in groups that experience Autism, Down syndrome, Attention Deficit Disorder, Cystic Fibrosis, Multiple Sclerosis, Amputations, Paralysis, Blindness, Deafness and Post Traumatic Disorder, to name a few. It has also made a difference in the lives of Kids in the Children Wish Foundation, Inner City Kids, Drug and Alcohol Addicts in Recovery, as well as the Elderly and Individuals experiencing other mental, emotional and physical challenges.

Michelle Richards from Cape Breton Island is a professional surf instructor and been teaching surf lessons for eight years. She has taught thousands of people how to surf. One of her first surf students who experienced a challenge was a young boy. He was deaf. With an encouraging smile and charade-like actions through her instruction, the boy was able to take direction and learn to surf. He was able to speak a few words after his lesson that Michelle still remembers vividly today.

“Thank you for the most beautiful day of my life!” he said.

“I want every person to walk away being able to say or feel those very words,” says Richards. “It really showed me what a difference I can make by sharing my love and passion of surfing,”

Richards has been perfecting her teaching technique over the years. During that time, there have been many unique and specialized surf lessons given. Michelle helped a woman overcome her fear of the ocean through a surf lesson.

There have been people with physical challenges that have tried surfing with her, ranging from fused spines to other surgeries that have limited the student’s abilities and flexibility. Using different approaches and techniques, the best method the student feels comfortable with is used.

Youth programs for kids with criminal pasts and teens in drug and alcohol recovery programs have shown up at the beach in large youth groups to learn to surf. Their attention span can sometimes be hard to control while on the beach, but once in the water, the groups often become the most amazing, attentive, respectful and quick learning group of kids.

No matter the case, individuals always walk away from their surfing experience happy and excited about life.

“This past summer I had a man who was paralyzed and wanted to go surfing. Unfortunately I didn’t have the specialized surfboard or beach wheel chair to facilitate this. That’s when the idea of making surfing available to everyone really hit me.” says Richards.

With a lot of research, Richards found many groups around the world sharing and accomplishing the dream of making surfing accessible to everyone who usually would not have this opportunity. Specialized surf equipment, wetsuits, beach wheelchairs, beach mats and trained volunteers would make this surf lesson project a reality. Winning the Pepsi grant would help us achieve this goal.

It is important to our beach and ocean project that the public vote daily for the SANS idea on the Pepsi website from May 1 to June 30. You can make the difference in our communities one click at a time. Encourage your friends and family to do the same. Vote to have coastline access and ocean activities available to everyone this summer.

For more information on the Cow Bay Project, check out the Surfing Association of Nova Scotia website at SurfNS.com.

For more information on the Surf Lesson Project, contact Michelle Richards at surfmichaud@yahoo.ca

In addition to SANS, another Nova Scotia organization is in the running for a grant from Pepsi. The Autism Society of Cape Breton is competing for a $10,000 grant. To learn more and to vote, click here.

Clean Nova Scotia Internship

Locally based environmental non-profit Clean Nova Scotia is hiring a beach sweep intern! For more details, click here: http://tinyurl.com/6exsohy

http://www.clean.ns.ca/