Surfing Magazine “That’s what it takes: to realize you can’t do it alone.”

“If surfers ever want to be a political force, we better learn to stand up. Now.”
- Matt Walker

I have a dream. Actually, it’s more of a nightmare. It’s a vision of coastal communities filled with pavement — but no parking. Where cultures founded on the idea of whole towns enjoying the beach together finally give way to walled seaside country clubs for the private few. Where surfers who don’t own an oceanfront home can’t reach the ocean. And where industry and development leaves America’s waves so polluted that we finally stop trying. It’s a vision I hope won’t come true, but all signs show that, with time, it will. And it’s all your fault.

What? You can’t hear me? Oh, sorry. Your ears are probably still ringing with self-congratulatory cheering from all those “victorious” Trestles rallies. So, I’ll just speak up: WE GOT LUCKY. Ask anyone on the inside, they’ll say we should’ve met that fight head-on more than five years ago. That it’s only one fight out of hundreds. And that the only reason we even have a shot at winning is it’s a “perfect storm” mixing the most high-profile break in the country, set in the industry’s backyard, fueled by bigger, more compelling arguments. . . .

“I used to work as a prosecutor under Rudy Giuliani in Manhattan,” says Robert Garcia, Executive Director of The City Project, a non-profit civil rights group. “I’ve prosecuted mafia cases, drug-trafficking cases, white-collar corruption. Nothing was as intimidating as testifying for public access in Malibu. People were screaming, yelling, shouting people down. It was truly scary.” . . .

“The enemy of my enemy is my friend.” . . . the political motto of every successful minority. Building a coalition is how tiny interest groups gather enough critical mass to flex serious muscle. In some cases it’s simply a matter of shoring up your numbers. In others, it’s leaning on the skills of the better-connected organization. But it always starts the same way. “You have to figure out where your alliances are,” says [Serge] Dedina [of Wild Coast], “then build a more diverse coalition. We’ve found if it’s cowboys and ranchers, people from the Navy and on the border patrol, our elected officials respond better [than if it’s just mainstream environmentalists] because any single-issue group doesn’t have enough clout.” . . .

One of the strongest arguments for saving Trestles involved Robert Garcia and The City Project, who showed that the proposed toll road would pass within feet of a 9,000-year-old Native American site. Does that mean Outer Banks surfers need to start digging for arrowheads? Maybe. Or maybe it’s tapping parents groups, churches and synagogues with surf camps, even — eek! — teaming up the tourism board. Maybe it’s asking Jesse Billauer to point out that not all surfers can walk to the beach. Cynical? Opportunistic? Maybe. Then again, maybe not.

“I don’t think it’s cynical or opportunistic at all to recognize there are values at stake beyond your own,” says Garcia. “Because on the other side are a lot of private property owners who are highly [organized and motivated], and you’ll need a diverse alliance that includes surfers, civil rights activists, environmentalists — everyone. That’s what it takes: to realize you can’t do it alone.”

Read the complete story from Surfing Magazine by clicking here.

Read about the struggle by United Coalition to Protect Panhe and The City Project at www.savepanhe.org and www.savesanonofre.org.

Read about The City Project’s Free the Beach! campaign here.