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May 2009 - Did you know that one of WiLDCOAST’s newest conservation program coordinators was once a Redsand sponsored surfer? Read on and get to know our good friend: pro-surfer-turned-conservationist Zach Plopper!
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About Zach: Zach Plopper has been on the scene since he was a wee lad riding for Redsand and tearing up the NSSAs and CIFs. While attending UCSD as an undergrad and then UCLA as a graduate student, he snuck away to compete in WQS events in places like the Canary Islands, Spain, France, Portugal, the UK and Mexico. His travel writings have appeared in Transworld Surf magazine, and he has acted as the contributing editor to Surfshot magazine for several years. These days he is still getting it done as WiLDCOAST's Wildlands Conservation Program Coordinator, freelance writer, and team rider for Matuse, Xanadu, Da Kine, Surf Ride, and Dragon.
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1.) Tell us about how you started riding for Redsand, and what your professional surfing experience has been like. I started riding for Redsand when I was 13, in 1994, when Redsand was expanding into the surf world. It was a blast to be a part of the development process of the brand and its image and it taught me a lot about being a team rider and representative. My professional surfing experience has given me amazing opportunities to travel and compete around the world and I have a lot of fun along the way. It was difficult at times to balance surfing with school but I managed to get them both done. I'd say school helped my surfing career. It gave me the niche of the "smart surfer."
2.) How did you get involved with WiLDCOAST? I have been volunteering for WiLDCOAST for several years and built a relationship with the organization prior to my position. I centered my graduate school thesis on WiLDCOAST's conservation effort in central Baja and that eventually led to my role as their Wildlands Conservation Program Coordinator.
3.) What are the hot issues or projects on WiLDCOAST’s radar for 2009? WiLDCOAST's campaigns are so varied and so dynamic but it all comes down to conserving marine and coastal ecosystems and wildlife. They are doing some amazing work in public-private land conservation in Baja, sustainable seafood consumption, establishing marine protected areas, raising public awareness regarding pollution in the Tijuana River and building multi-jurisdictional parks in South San Diego. Check out the website to stay up to date as the projects are always advancing forward.
4.) Why should people be concerned with our coastal ecosystems right now? It is a critical time to protect coastal ecosystems. If we wait any longer we will lose precious natural resources that go beyond the coastline. We will lose access to our most valuable recreational opportunities. Industries that depend on a clean ocean – fishing, surfing, tourism – will collapse. And of course, there will be further irreversible degradation to coastal and marine wildlife.
5.) Got a favorite surf spot? I love the sand-bottom right point breaks of central Baja and I am so fortunate that my work takes me there on a regular basis. I am smitten for the surf of Northern Spain and Southern France, especially Mundaka, El Brusco and Hossegor.
6.) Any closing remarks? Get active. Pick up some trash on your way in from surfs, write letters to your local political leaders regarding issues you think need attention and live low-impact – it’s not that hard to do.
For more on WiLDCOAST and to get involved, check out www.wildcoast.net. |