Smorgasboarder_Edition_45
Jye Gudenswager of Gen 4 Surfboards, Smorgasboarder Podcast, Fight for the Bight, road fuel recipes, surfboards, Fuzzeilear and more
Jye Gudenswager of Gen 4 Surfboards, Smorgasboarder Podcast, Fight for the Bight, road fuel recipes, surfboards, Fuzzeilear and more
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smorgasboarder<br />
torquay paddle-out courtesy of EdSloanePhoto<br />
foreword<br />
Community. Family. Sisterhood, Brotherhood... Many<br />
loaded words are all-too-flippantly bandied about in<br />
conversation about the groups we identify with, but<br />
what does that identification really mean in practice?<br />
As an example, you may hear someone say they<br />
identify as a surfer, part of this ‘surfing family’, but do<br />
they truly feel the others bobbing out back and eyeing<br />
the same incoming waves are their soul-sisters and<br />
brothers and others?<br />
Community suggests a level of mutual care and<br />
respect - at the most basic level, at least a shared<br />
interest or common characteristic - but how often do<br />
people who consider themselves part of communities<br />
contribute positively to build or grow it?<br />
A shining example of the perfect trigger for community<br />
creation is the Fight for the Bight. (For more in-depth<br />
coverage, see our last edition’s 14-page article,<br />
and listen to Jimmy Ellis’ ear-opening interview<br />
with Peter Owen of the Wilderness Society on the<br />
<strong>Smorgasboarder</strong> Podcast). In protest against the<br />
potential environmental threats facing the southern<br />
Australia coastline and beyond, numerous groups<br />
have launched their own actions, including paddleouts,<br />
protests, social and traditional media and much,<br />
much more.<br />
It’s been absolutely amazing to see individuals and<br />
different organisations spreading the word wherever<br />
and however they can, and simply taking action.<br />
We couldn’t be more proud to watch it happen, and<br />
play our own tiny part from up here in the warm North<br />
ourselves. While we’d like to make a point of thanking<br />
and acknowledging all those we know of that are<br />
currently involved - see page 12 for more - there is still<br />
one more important thing we can do - to simply band<br />
together.<br />
Alone, protests, podcasts and posters can do so much.<br />
But when we start actively engaging in each others’<br />
content, sharing each others’ struggles, and genuinely<br />
supporting each others’ efforts, then it becomes a<br />
real fight, not just a collection of isolated skirmishes.<br />
So, share posts, share podcasts, spread flyers, share<br />
tweets... We’re in this together and this is one time NOT<br />
to keep a secret.<br />
On a smaller, more personal ‘family’ note, we’re super<br />
excited to welcome previous contributor, writer and<br />
photographer Alex Benaud into the <strong>Smorgasboarder</strong><br />
fold! It’s a tiny team here, that hasn’t changed too much<br />
since day one almost 10 years ago - which is why it’s a<br />
really big deal for us, and worth announcing.<br />
We’re so looking forward to Alex’s travels and tales<br />
in the years to come and we hope you’ll enjoy them<br />
too! You can read all about his recent travels, starting<br />
on page 26, and even listen to him on the mic on the<br />
<strong>Smorgasboarder</strong> Podcast on smorgasboarder.com.au,<br />
iTunes, Spotify and BuzzSprout. Enjoy.<br />
Get involved, get active, get reading, get doing...<br />
Let’s keep it all moving and let’s make it happen!<br />
Cheers!<br />
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