24 August 2009

This Is What It's All About

This letter is from Boun Prasert; one of the participants at the Paddle Out. This is what the BSA is all about. Enjoy :-)

First, I want thank the Black Surfing Association for inviting Heal The Bay to participate in the beautiful ceremony on our previous Sunday morning. To part-take was a personal blessing! I was deeply moved by the unity and the love that brought everyone together! Surfers and non-surfers alike all shared in the same oneness of love!

Even though I never met Mr. Monte Valentin, I feel like I could relate to his passion for surf and his love for our oceans! I grew up miles and miles away from the beach on 125st and Normandie! Since I couldn’t surf the oceans, I surfed the streets on skateboards with the few friends in my area that actually skateboarded! In fifth grade I got a bike and it was all over! Like Mr. Valentin, I road my bike west until I hit golden sands and blue-green oceans! It didn’t matter what beach I ended up at, all that mattered was that I was there! I imagine Mr. Valentin hear the same calls from the oceans that I did as a child, received a similar sense of excitement and fulfillment at the end of his bike rides!

Again, thanks to the BSA and the Valentin family for having Heal The Bay and myself participate Sunday! Surfers and non-surfers alike all came together to shared in the same oneness of LOVE! It was a beautiful experience! I will always carry it close to my heart! As a son, a brother, a surfer and ocean lover!

Sincerely,

Boun Prasert

23 August 2009

Monte Valentin Memorial Paddle Out

BSA's love for both a fellow waterman and the ocean were in full effect this morning at Bay Street.

Today we celebrated the life of Monte Valentin, the body surfer who died at The Wedge during the last big south swell in July. His family members commented that the paddle out helped them to understand why Monte was drawn to the water. The BSA did itself proud today.

We didn't know you personally, brother, but you will be dearly missed.