Bali – Eco Surf Rescue

Posted on October 4, 2011 by twilley

Good morning,

I will be leaving October 17th for Bali in an effort to help clean up 20-30 tons of raw waste that is being dumped in a ravine on the cliff top over looking Uluwatu.
This is happening due to a lack of water, proper bathrooms and sewage system.
As many of you may know Uluwatu is regarded as one of the best surfing waves in the world.
However many in the surfing world have no idea that this is happening?

Sadly it occurs in a lot of third world countries that are lacking such resources.

I will be documenting my trip and taking pictures to better illustrate the severity of this sensitive issue.

Your support is greatly appreciated.

After all what good is the beach if we can’t enjoy the ocean?

For more info please read below.

Thank you,
James Pribram

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Interview for Radio Green

Posted on August 23, 2011 by twilley

I recently was interviewed by Diana Dehm of Radio Green. Listen to it here.

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Beach Cleanup

Posted on July 28, 2011 by twilley

James Pribram, The ECO Warrior and Greg MacGillivray of One World One Ocean Rally Laguna’s Teen ECO Warriors To Make A Difference.

LAGUNA BEACH, CA (July 26, 2010) – On August 2nd James Pribram, The ECO Warrior and Greg MacGillivray of MacGillivray Freeman Film’s and One World One Ocean Foundation, have partnered with the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach; to do their part in cleaning-up their local beaches and shorelines. These ‘Teen ECO Warriors’ will hit the beach to remove trash and recyclables that have been left behind or washed ashore on Laguna’s local beaches.

Beach litter comes in many forms and sizes. It can be plastic, metal, glass, cloth or paper. It can be as small as a plastic resin pellet or as large as a cooler. Whether discarded accidentally or deliberately, all the litter they will collect is the result of human activities. This litter can include things like food wrappers, beverage containers, plastic bags, caps, lids and aluminum cans.

The staging point for this event will be at The Pacific Edge Hotel at their Surf Cabana deck, starting at 10AM. Key sponsors include XS Energy Drinkwww.xsgear.com, Wahoo’s www.wahoos.com, O’Neill www.oneill.com and www.ZeroTrash.org who all share the passion of protecting our environment.

About James Pribram

James Pribram is a Laguna Beach native, professional surfer, John Kelly Environmental Award winner and recipient of the 2010 Laguna Beach Patriots Day Athlete of the Year Award. His written work has appeared in the LA Times, Surfer’s Path, Surfing, Surfer, Water and numerous additional publications worldwide. He is an active environmental leader in his community where he has served on the Laguna Beach Water Quality and Environmental Committees. He co-founded Eco Warrior, a grass roots organization which is dedicated to protecting oceans, beaches and sea life worldwide. He is the owner and operator of Aloha School of Surfing, www.alohaschoolofsurfing.com: which teaches aspiring surfers of all ages the power of surf stoke. Pribram’ Surfing Soapbox column appears weekly in Laguna Beach’s Coastline Pilot Newspaper. Visit James at www.jamespribram.com/blog/.

About Greg MacGillivray

Greg MacGillivray is one of the world’s foremost producers and directors of giant-screen IMAX® films with a film career that spans more than 40 years. With more than 30 giant-screen films to his credit, his Laguna Beach, CA -based company has been dedicated to the IMAX format since the production of his first IMAX® film, To Fly!, in 1976. Twenty years later, To Fly! was selected by the Library of Congress for inclusion in the National Film Archives as one of the most important films in the first 100 years of American filmmaking. To Fly! opened at the National Air And Space Museum IMAX Theatre at the Smithsonian in Washington DC in 1976 and has enjoyed continuous exhibition for over 35 years.

Greg and Barbara MacGillivray launched One World One Ocean Foundation which embodies the largest global media campaign of its kind. The educational oceans campaign will crisscross all of the world’s oceans to produce a multi-platform series designed for giant-screen IMAX 3D, 2D & 3D television, theatrical 3D release, digital online media, companion books and other media.

One World One Ocean is a global non-profit campaign designed to emotionally connect people to the world’s ocean, help them recognize the value of the ocean to society and understand the threats it faces, all with a view to dramatically change the way we treat the ocean. Sixty percent of the world’s population lives on or near a coastline, but most people don’t know the ocean is in trouble. http://www.oneworldoneocean.org.

About The Laguna Beach Boys & Girls Club

For nearly 60 years, the Club has been providing a positive place for our community’s young people and is now the largest youth development agency in our area, serving over 250 youth every day. The Club provides programs for more than 1500 boys and girls in the areas of character and leadership development, educational enhancement, career preparation, health and life skills, the arts and sports, fitness and recreation. The Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach, Main Branch is located at 1085 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach Ca 92651. http://bgclagunabeach.org.

About Pacific Edge Hotel

Pacific Edge Hotel is a Joie de Vivre managed oceanfront retreat set on 280 feet of one uninterrupted mile of beach in downtown Laguna Beach. Included are 27 comfortable family suites, 104 deluxe guestrooms, two heated swimming pools, a private Jacuzzi, and access to both a spa and fitness center within close walking distance. For more information about Pacific Edge Hotel or reservations, please call 866.932.2896 or visit www.pacificedgehotel.com.

Contact:
LASTER-HEATHMAN MEDIA
DIANE LASTER-HEATHMAN
diane@lasterheathmanmedia.com
www.lasterheathmanmedia.com
415.999.1944

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Pro Surfer and Eco Warrior Saves Drowning Girl

Posted on April 7, 2011 by twilley

“I will never be able to thank you enough for saving my life, you truly are my hero!”

April 2011 – Laguna Beach, CA – Local resident James Pribram, a pro surfer also known as the ECO Warrior, couldn’t believe his eyes as he watched a young girl being washed into the ocean this past Sunday, April 3rd. From past experiences he always kept an eye on that area of the beach and Sunday was no different. People often turn their back to the ocean to have their picture taken.

It was like déjà vu all over again. As the first wave came rushing over the rock’s he could see the girl on the right side get pushed down by the wave, he quickly jumped up on a chair to get a better look but still couldn’t see her? He knew she had been swept over the side and into the water. He ran through the house and out to the street, passing his mother and telling her to call 911. He ran down the hill, down the stairs as fast as possible passing people that he knew; also telling them to call 911.

Once on the beach he sprinted a couple hundred yards into the arch, where he saw 4 or 5 people gathering. He asked if the girl was still in the ocean and they said yes. As he made his way to edge of the rock’s he threw his credit card to someone to hold and jumped in at the side of the blow hole, which is like a maze of razor sharp reef’s and rock’s. A little further out he could see an older male and younger female scrambling up on one of the reefs. He wasn’t sure they could have been in a worse position. He swam to them, getting up on the reef and helping them quickly to the other side where it was safer. The man was still wearing his glasses and pretty scratched up but calm. James asked him if he was OK and he said yes.

There was now a short lull in the waves and the most important information the man shared with James was the young girl couldn’t swim. He asked the man if he could make it to the beach and he responded again, yes. James told him that he didn’t need two people out there, but told him when he made it to shore to make sure someone had called 911.

He grabbed onto the young girl who was in a state of shock, she was so scared, cut up and throwing up. He told her that he needed her to calm down and listen to him and not panic. That he had her now and wasn’t going to let anything happen to her. She calmed down right away thankfully and explained to him that she didn’t know how to swim. This made a huge factor in deciding to try to get into shore or wait it out on the reef. Once on the backside of the reef James told her that if a big wave came they were going to have to get back into the water. At first she said please no but James told her that it would be ok and again that he wouldn’t let anything happen to her.

Pribram wrapped his right arm around her tightly as he braced the two of them and let 4 or 5 waves wash over they’re bodies. They were on the reef for about 10 minutes or more, when a big set was coming. He explained that they now had to get back in the water. As they were trying to get to the edge to jump in, the young girl slipped. As James began to help her up, the wave washed them both into the ocean.

She went straight down almost to the bottom and James was lucky to grab her hand with his right hand and hold onto her. Under water he was able to wrap his left arm around her and swam her up to the surface and onto the shore past the rocks. Once on shore another man came to help, but James was able to stand up and was not letting go of her for any reason. He helped her up the beach, where she threw up a couple of times and help had finally had arrived to offer medical attention.

The Issue
This incident could have turned tragic in the blink of an eye, not losing one life; but two. Visitors to beaches world-wide who aren’t familiar with the power of the ocean are unaware of the dangers. We hear of people being washed off shore every year, but yet, it continues to happen. With warmer weather coming soon, beaches will be filled with beach goers looking to enjoy the beautiful views of the ocean. But it must be clear that you do this with caution, they don’t want to be the next person to be rescued or lose a life just for taking a photo.

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Sponsor Me at the Surf-A-Thon!

Posted on April 1, 2011 by twilley

Hello everybody ,

On April 15th, I will be participating in the Third Annual SURF-OUT SURFATHON to raise money for Costa Verde International School (CVIS), Sayulita, Mexico. As some of you may know, CVIS is the only bilingual school and the only green school in Nayarit, Mexico. We have already seen the benefits of bringing academic excellence and the promise of building a sustainably community to the families of this small surfing community. CVIS is inclusive of the local community and is proud to have an over 30% scholarship rate ensuring that children from all economic levels can attend.

To support this important cause, I will be surfing from 12:00 to 2:30 in ( fill out location). To sponsor me, simply go to their site, find my name and donate!! Our goal this year is to raise $15,000…but the sky’s the limit. Every dollar you donate online will go directly to CVIS.

If you are in Sayulita on that day, please come see , James Pribam (EcoWarrior), CVIS students and more, surf and have fun.

At 2:30pm, Punta Sayulita will be hosting and sponsoring the after party. Food, drinks and fun will all be supplied for 250 pesos or 25USD. There will also be an exciting surf raffle including boards, surf trips and vacations and surf items starting at 250 pesos at the door. Winners must be present.

Please go to the website now to sponsor the CVIS SURF-OUT

Please ensure your name and the person you are sponsoring are listed on your donation.

For more information about CVIS, please visit our website here.

Thank you for your support…

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Sayulita Visit

Posted on April 1, 2011 by twilley

I had a great time in Sayulita, Mexico this past week being the honorary ambassador of the 2nd annual Punta Sayulita longboard and SUP Classic. The event raised money for the Costa Verde International School.

It is extremely important to me; as a person lucky enough to grow up on the beach and live is dream of one day becoming a professional surfer.

We need to continue to empower the youth of tomorrow, not only to pursue living their own dreams but also in preserving our beaches and oceans for them.
In my life aside from having good parents, it was my love for the beach and the ocean that alway’s kept me from making the wrong decision’s in life.

Thank you all for being a part of this dream…

Sincerely,
James Pribram
The ECO-Warrior

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New Article in Coast Magazine

Posted on February 28, 2011 by twilley

I was recently interviewed for Coast Magazine and the interviewer took an interesting and self-deprecating view.

Read the full story here.

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Laguna Beach – Athlete of the Year!

Posted on February 10, 2011 by twilley


On Feb. 5 I was honored by the Patriots Day committee as Laguna Beach’s “Athlete of the Year.” I’ve won a lot of trophies and awards before but none more meaningful to me then this one. It sits right there proudly on the mantlepiece above my fireplace and no matter how many great places in the world I have been lucky enough to experience, there will never be another place more special to me than Laguna Beach.

Just as there will never be another place I would rather be in the world on a beautiful day like today than Pearl Street beach. The very beach I was raised on. My whole being, vision and spirit were shaped on that beach by those before me. There was a long list of past surfers, including my brother, who inspired me to surf and then one day become a professional.

Today I dedicate my life to preserving our beaches and oceans. It wasn’t something that happened overnight. In fact it just happened over time, much like anything else through hard work, desire and dedication. My work perhaps isn’t traditional as some may like but that’s not my issue. I do what I do because I believe in it and I want to do it.

I work with a personal trainer twice a week as he puts me through a series of circuits that leave me nearly hurling at the end and I work out on my own another three or four days a week. It’s work. Writing a column is work. I write a different one for each of my sponsors. Being involved with marketing meetings with sponsors is also work, as is maintaining three websites, or finishing a book that you have been working on for five years.
You might be asking yourself what has inspired me to write about all this? Perhaps it’s because in 2011 there is still this perception that surfing is more of a beach bum sport than an actually a sport. I would bet that any professional surfer would have a much easier time adapting to any other sport than another professional athlete trying the sport of surfing. I will put my money on that any time, any place.

The beach is nothing short of a natural playground for all to enjoy and that is why I work—yes ”work”—extremely hard at preserving them for the next generations. So they can dream the same dream that I had of one day being a professional surfer, a sport that in fact kept me away from drugs and other adolescent mistakes. So thank you Patriots Day committee for such an honor and I will do my very best to honor in the best way that I can by leading by example.

Peace.

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Unmasking the Eco Warrior – ESPN Article

Posted on February 3, 2011 by twilley

I recently had the privilege of interviewing with ESPN.com. They asked some poignant questions about Blue and Green initiatives and got really in depth about what I do.

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We all need access to the ocean

Posted on January 14, 2011 by twilley

Awakening to clear, calm and breathless blue skies this morning, I once again had the same enthusiasm as a 15-year-old boy who grew up on the beach. I just couldn’t wait until it was warm enough to hit the waves. Twenty-five years later I’m happy to say it really is no different of a feeling for me.

The beach will forever be my world, my church, my everything; it has always been the one constant path in my life. My mom likes to call me Peter Pan sometimes and that’s OK, maybe I am a big kid. It doesn’t really matter to me because the beach has always had a deeper meaning and I have always believed that I have a deeper connection to it.

And I know, just as I believe this to be true. There are many others who feel the same about days like this, who just can’t wait to hit the beach, no matter what they have planned. I have always believed that our beaches are another extension of playgrounds for everyone to enjoy, young and old.

It’s an escape that is healthy and more often than not in a direction away from drugs and violence. A great alternative for those kids who don’t have access to after-school programs or organized sports. We can’t keep taking away the playgrounds of the world.

We have to find better alternatives and solutions for these problems that are plaguing our beaches. Rather than just continuing to put more and more restrictions on things like fishing, which in turn only take more and more freedoms away from those who need it the most. We need to care for our beaches and oceans. Stop the littering and pollution.

The time is now that we start cleaning up our own lives on land, because if we don’t do that first then everything else is for naught.

Peace

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