Shaped By Saltwater

Save the Waves Coalition, founded in 2001, is an international nonprofit that works in coalition with diverse organizations dedicated to protecting surf ecosystems. With their mission statement “To Protect Surf Ecosystems Across the World” and a philosophy that a world where surf ecosystems are valued and protected, surfing will provide a vehicle for coastal conservation.

With ten world surfing reserves already in place, Save The Waves Coalition moves forward with their goal to protect 1,000 Surf ecosystems by 2030. Join me in my chat with Save The Waves Coalition CEO Nik Strong-Cvetich as we dive into the work Save The Waves does around the world.

This story begins with the seemingly haphazard alignment of two men and their revolutionary innovations in surfboard design, partnered with one of the best point breaks in the world all during the 60’s counter culture movement when the envelope of culture and lifestyle was constantly being pushed and new ideas being celebrated.

Based out of Santa Barbara, California, George Greenough and Renny Yater’s radical surfboard designs broke the barriers of what was possible on a wave setting the sport of surfing on a whole new trajectory.

However, outside of Santa Barbara California, if you say the name George Greenough or Renny Yater the chance is maybe 50/50 that a surfer knows who you’re talking about even though the equipment they are riding today is a direct descendent from Greenough and Yater’s designs.

It is the mission of film director Wyatt Daily to change this with his film “Spoons: A Santa Barbara Story”.

“Spoons: A Santa Barbara Story” seeks to preserve the history, heritage, and life stories of the innovators who, out of Santa Barbara, went on to change surfing forever yet they are hardly talked about. That is, until now.

Wyatt and I sat down on a beautiful afternoon at his home in Topanga Canyon with microphones and brews to chat about his experience making the film, the intricate process through which Wyatt and his team were able to transfer feet of film shot as far back as 1947 into 4k, and Wyatts newest venture, Origins Archival through which he continues to foster community and protect surf history through remastering classic surf films.

For more info on "Spoons: A Santa Barbara Story"

https://www.spoonsfilm.com/

For more info on Origins Archival

https://www.originsarchival.com/

Surfer, Waterman, World Champion Frisbee Player, Patagonia Legend, founder of Surfclass, Best Day Foundation, Aloha Beach Festival and now with Airtime Watertime, listen to Chipper's story of how his life has gone full circle from finding the ocean, surfing in Santa Barbara and playing frisbee in the afternoon, to becoming a world champion freestyle frisbee player on tour with the likes of Stevie Ray Vaughan, touring China with Jan and Dean sparking the movement that lead up to the Tiananmen Square protests, being the first person to skateboard on the Great Wall of China, tales from inside the mountain that is the outdoor gear company Patagonia, to letting it all go and returning to the saltwater to share the stoke and teach surfing with Surfclass and moving onto the newest venture, Airtime Watertime, inventing a float suit to help ocean amateurs enjoy the beautiful and healing environment while still being safe while helping to protect coral reefs around the world.

For more information on Chipper' passions please visit:

http://www.surfclass.com/ (http://www.surfclass.com) – “At Surfclass, our mission is to give the best possible surf experience to every one of our students. We hope to inspire and educate surfers from all walks of life, and introduce our students to a sport and lifestyle that will change their lives forever.”

http://www.airtimewatertime.com/ (http://www.airtimewatertime.com) – “To provide confidence and freedom in the water in order to empower, transform and enrich our lives and to protect our coral reefs around the world.”

http://www.alohabeachfestival.us/ (http://www.alohabeachfestival.us) – “Part surf contest, Frisbee competition and music festival, the event is the brainchild of Chipper “Bro” Bell, a 12-time world Frisbee champion, surf instructor and customer service representative for the Patagonia clothing company. Mixed into the surf and Frisbee competition was some Hawaiian aloha spirit, meaning, according to Bell, kindness, unity, modesty and patience. Part of the proceeds go to the groups Peace through Music, the Kokua Hawaii Foundation and the Groundswell Society.”

http://www.bestdayfoundation.org/ (http://www.bestdayfoundation.org/) – “Best Day Foundation enables children and young adults with special needs to build confidence and self-esteem through adventure activities which stretch their limits, expand their true potential, reinforce their achievement, and connect them with diverse populations in their community.”