Summer 2005
Busy Summer Season for Surfrider Eastern LI Chapter
Surf Movie Night III, Guild Hall, East Hampton August 10, 2005
It has been a busy summer for the Eastern Long Island Chapter of Surfrider:
On Saturday, August 6, the Eastern Long Island Chapter of Surfrider Foundation held dual beach clean ups -- one in Southampton Village and one in Montauk. Surfrider wanted to make certain that every one knows that surfers respect the beach.
The Southampton beach clean up was held at the village beach known as "beach club." Several members showed up and filled bags provided by Peter McGrave, Superintendent of Beaches for the Village of Southampton. Mr. McGrave explained to new ELI Surfrider Chairman Tom Naro that the Village has only 3 men to clean over 7 miles of village beach, and was very appreciative of the help they were getting from Surfrider. The biggest culprit on the beach -- cigarette butts! Hard to see when looking at Long Island's pristine white sand beaches, but unfortunately plentiful upon closer inspection.
Ditch Plains Cleanup 2005
The Montauk clean up took place at Ditch Plains. Member Cathy Telfer led the clean up with the help of Bob "Duke" Casper, who obtained the bags from the East Hampton Department of Highways. Over 15 Surfrider members participated in the clean up, including one from Tamarindo, Costa Rica. Again, the biggest culprit on the beach: cigarette butts.
There was also plenty of garbage that was washed up in the shoreline, including a syringe.
Duke talked to the teenagers about where the garbage comes from at sea, and inspired them to fill up 3 big bags of trash in a matter of just a few hours!
The chapter wishes to thank Cathy and her girls, Duke, Steve Delaney, Bill Lucey and all the others that showed up in Southampton and Montauk to help clean the beach.
Duke later informed us that Larry Penny, Director of Natural Resources for the Town of East Hampton, is having major debris cleared from Poles. A another big thanks to Duke and Larry Penny for their work in getting this spot cleaned up.
On August 10, the third annual Surf Movie Night was held at the John Drew Theater, Guild Hall. The evening was a benefit for the Eastern Long Island Chapter of Surfrider. Over 400 surf movie fans showed up to see the American Premiere of sambatrance&rock'nroll, the winner of the grand prize at this year's international surf film festival in Biarritz, France. The director of the film, Rafael Mellin was in from Brazil to introduce the movie. The Bastards of Boom opened the evening with their unique blend of traditional Brazilian rhythms, rock, middle eastern, and electronic melodies. They made their entrance from Main Street in East Hampton right down the center aisle of Guild Hall. Every one who attended received a commerative limited edition t-shirt.
Bastards Of Boom, Surf Movie Night 2005
Special thanks go out to Michael Halsband for getting us another great film this year. Also, all the volunteers who worked to get the word out, sell tickets, give away t-shirts and clean up Guild Hall after the event. Our hard working volunteers included Gerry Starr, Lenny Green, Mike Hastalsis, Bob Donohue, Steve Matzen, Chris Schumann, Peg Fruin, Eugene and Jo-Ann Alper, Bob and Susie Casper, Victor Curro, Darren Ottati, and Cathy Telfer and her group who manned the t-shirt table again this year. We couldn't do this event without all of your help!
And much thanks to surf shops Air & Speed, Equilibrium, Espo's, Main Beach, Island Surf, Flying Point, Sunrise to Sunset, Skidmores and Jetties for providing great door prizes for the crowd.
On Friday, August 12, Great Caesar's Ghost played the best of the Dead, Allman brothers and blues to raise money for the chapter. Headed by member Larry Schmid, the benefit took place at the Stephen Talkhouse in Amagansett. Surf shop owner Lutha Leahy-Miller of Equilibrium (right across the street from the Talkhouse) donated a surfboard which was raffled off between sets. Thanks to new Vice Chair Mara Hogan and members Danica Lambardozzi and Victor Curro for their help at the event.
Saturday, August 13 found Surfrider at the center of the Rell Sun surf contest. Surfrider used the opportunity to spread its message and recruit new members during the summer membership drive. Thanks to Walt Bridges and Kristin Angulo for staffing the table and thanks to all those who stopped by to say hello and sign up.
We had a big victory with State Parks this year. The Eastern Long Island Chapter of Surfrider Foundation is proud to announce that it is now fully legal at all times to surf along the entire shoreline of Camp Hero State Park in Montauk N.Y. The two surfspots known as "Spooner's", and "Dickie"s Left", can now be surfed with no restrictions. It is important to know that this process took many years, and was achieved through cooperation and respect between surfcasters, surfers, and State Park officials. We ask for your continued support as we have many more projects and issues which we will be working on with N.Y. State Parks in the future. Much thanks to all who were a part of this process! This important victory would not have happened without Eugene Alpers' patient and persistent work with State Parks and many others. Log onto http://surfriderfoundation.typepad.com/shapingroom/ for more info on the Camp Hero victory!
The Paddle For Clean Water took place on September 10 at Sagg Main Beach. Assemblyman Fred Thiele came out to speak to our group about water quality issues in our area. Thanks to Thomas Muse, Jay Levine, Carolyn Zenk, Rick Brickell, Eugene Alper and all those who showed up despite the waves from Maria.
Paddleout 2005
Our chapter is currently ahead of all chapters nationally in percentage of membership increase for the 2005 membership drive. Go to http://www.surfrider.org/membership/membership.asp for more info and up to the minute tallies from national.
Thanks again for a great summer season!
Unfortunate Art