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Dave Rastovich knows a thing or two about nurturing a “Zen relationship with the sea”. When he’s not carving powerful frontside hacks or clockin’ solid time in the green room, Rasta focuses his efforts on increasing awareness about the predicaments plaguing our oceans.

Forget Waldo. Where’s Rasta? Currently, Rasta is kickin’ it in Florida resting a bum foot he sustained while trekking in Indonesia. During the downtime, Rasta admits he’s “pretty nervous about the huge oil spill in the Gulf”. An interview in Huck Magazine describes Rasta as “spiritual guy whose hippie mentality doesn’t stop him surfing with more style and power than most of his macho counterparts”. We couldn’t agree more. Rasta not only wields power through his arcing turns but he’s equally formidable with his conservation efforts.

His latest voyage entitled TransparentSea, was an “effective whistle blowing adventure down the east coast of Australia”. Rasta and his crew originally set out with aims to rid beaches riddled with unsightly rubbish. As the trip grew, so did the missions. Rasta and fellow soul-wombat Chris Del Moro also set out to celebrate the comeback of Australia’s east coast humpback whale. As for the most memorable part of the trip, Rasta is quoted saying, “Being side by side with humpback whales, having them surf swells with us out in the open ocean…made us feel very privileged”.

During the 36-day voyage, Rasta and friends flexed some might with the Surfrider Foundation and Tanaroa Blue’s Marine Debris Initiative. Teams made it a priority to clean and catalog trash-infested beaches. By taking the clean-up one step further and recording data, it becomes possible to see the roots of the problems. Long story short, if we know where trash come from, we can stop it at the source. Prevention is half the battle.

“Surf more, consume less, give back to that which any true surfer can’t live without: the sea.” – Dave “Rasta” Rastovich

Want more? Of course you do. For the full interview peep Huck Magazine. Get involved- Rasta Style: Sea Shepherd, Surfers Against Sewage, Save The Waves

(note: all photos above are from TransparentSea Voyage)

Chances are if you have spent any time in the ocean swimming, surfing, splashing or floating- you’ve come across a dolphin or two. If you have, you know firsthand just how incredible they are. What you may not know is just how much danger they are in…

Ok, movie-buff- heard of The Cove?

Better yet- have you seen it? If not, in simple summation according to IMDB “A group of activists, led by renowned dolphin trainer Ric O’Barry, infiltrate a cove near Taijii, Japan to expose both a shocking instance of animal abuse and a serious threat to human health”.

While watching it you’ll notice a spot on Sanuk’s own Dave Rastovich as he makes an appearance in the film. His tremendous work, Surfers for Cetaceans does not go unnoticed.

For a true glimpse into the heart of film, here is a PSA with a few familiar faces and a clear, strong message.

Become aware, get involved, and spread the word.

For more information click on anything you see in blue above!