Shawn Alladio and Tom Jones : photo Ray Wolfgramm

Paddleboard News

Tom Jones 'California Paddle 2007' to Make Landfall at the Malibu Pier on October 20, 2007

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 5 October, 2007 : - - Malibu, Ca – On October 20 extreme endurance athlete and environmentalist Tom Jones enters the final phase of a three-month long epic expedition to paddleboard the entire California coastline. He is attempting to be the first person to traverse the 1,250-mile California coastline on a 14-foot paddleboard.

Tom’s quest is to raise awareness to the increasing problem of plastic pollution in the world’s oceans. At 10:00 am at Surfrider Beach and the Malibu Pier volunteer scuba divers and paddlers will paddle out to welcome Tom in the surf joining him as he paddles into the beach in support of his quest during this historic event.

Jones set out on his paddleboard on August 4 at the state’s northern tip with the objective of becoming the first person to paddle the entire 1,250-mile California coastline. "I started the Campaign for a Plastic-Free Ocean with the idea that everyone has a responsibility to the environment and everyone has the power to make positive change in their world," said Jones.

"My aim is to combine the resources of governments, corporations and individuals to solve this difficult problem." Jones may have his endurance and inventiveness thoroughly tested. A United Nations Environmental Report estimated that there are more than 5.76 million tons of plastic in the oceans. That equates to enough to put two thirds of California in a plastic bag.

Tom advances southward at 10 to 15 miles a day; his progress can be viewed online with a site map or satellite image. His daily journal entries read like a pioneer or explorer:

8/28/07 -- Current Position -- "Rough day today. There was very dense fog and eight-ft. swells. The seas were so big; I lost my board and my paddle. I have a back-up board and paddle and thankfully no one was hurt. The ocean can be a very scary place. Tom”

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. Local Malibu companies (Malibu Divers, Clout, Malibu Inn and others) as well as local environmental groups have organized a campaign to attract members of the community and celebrities. The event will raise local to national awareness about the plastics issue.

A significant amount of money will be raised through the sale of t-shirts, donations and a raffle during a luncheon reception featuring Tom Jones speaking and answering questions at the Malibu Inn. Carter Crary, owner of Malibu Divers states, “Almost every time I am in our local waters I find some kind of plastic. It’s getting worse and we need to do something about it.”

The event is supported by such legendary surfers as Laird Hamilton, Rob Machado, Mickey Munoz and Jericho Poppler. Some of these surfers have helped Tom with his training and joined his support team. Other event partners and sponsors include: Alaskan Brewing Co., Joe Bark Surfboards &
Paddleboards,

Believe Agency, Bimini Adventures, Katin Surf Shop, K.O-Knockout Fitness Recovery Drink, Ohana Health Company, Patagonia, QuickBlade, S&S Metals & Plastics, Save Our Shores, silverStar Finance, Inc., Teva (shoes), Westfall International, Wild Oats Marketplace and World Black Belt, with more encouraged to sign on. Additionally, EX Drinks has a highly decorated 23-foot Navion RV paralleling the salty odyssey.

www.californiapaddle.com

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Barbara Gentile-Crary

Paddle - Surfersvillage