International Day of Action for Rivers * rivermouth

“Being in an engaged community of coastal peoples who actively preserve the wild spaces and culture that make the place so beautiful is the highlight of my life…. living simply on acreage – growing fruit and vegetables, beekeeping, and of course, surfing – makes for days filled with meaningful play.”

Dave Rastovich, Patagonia Surf Ambassador, Broken Head, New South Wales, Australia

Some of us, like myself, grew up in the LA River Basin, but you wouldn’t have known it.

The Army Corps of Engineers could prolly help me out with that, but my guess is that you had a better chance of taking your skateboard to the LA “river,” than any kayak or canoe, let alone swim in it ??

Once upon a time, and with the help of friend Steve Reiss, we hosted a benefit for Heal the Bay in Los Angeles. The founder of HtB was Dorothy Green, and her follow up project was “Unpave LA,” an idea that was no doubt beyond ambitious (she wished to unpave the entire length of the LA river), but given that she had been the catalyst for then Mayor Tom Bradley to put aside $4.1 billion for the cleaning up of Santa Monica Bay, I wasn’t going to doubt her now. Her developer husband thought she was nuts.

The key to her success in helping to clean up Santa Monica Bay, was that her visit to the City Council coincided with the advent of televised Council meetings, and it didn’t look too good for reelection sitting there berating a sweet, innocent enough looking grandmother wearing glasses, that really knew what she was talking about. Apparently the mano a mano worked against the previous well meaning, male school teacher that brought 30 of his students to the City Council meeting with the same intention.

And that in short is the gist of what’s going on with today’s International Day of Action Against (Large) Dams and for Rivers, Water and Life. They are promoting solidarity and collaboration, and in particular as it relates to women water leaders and decision makers. Apparently (water) women are the primary users of water in their households, albeit and nonetheless are far less represented in decisions related to how water and rivers are managed and developed. Obviously some folks would like that to change.

The movement originated in Curitiba (Brasil), mostly in response to destructive water development projects that displaced human settlements of largely indigenous peoples in favor of the perceived need for urban electricity. Hydro power projects were largely the work of bureaucracies/governments in bed and caught up in the corruption and arrogance of overly powerful and relatively secret corporations. In addition to the obvious cultural loss, the social/environmental impact included submerged riparian habitat, which entails the loss of native vegetation and wildlife. And hence is the work of river restoration, to reclaim the health of rivers and watersheds, and of which are integral to us all.

Three Sisters, Canmore by Patrick Markle

We are a fresh water dependent peoples, not to mention the axiom, that the river runs thru it, and thru the all of us. Our river sister is life sustaining and lifegiving. Her water is our life blood. She flows freely and unfettered. are all party to her river community. need her, and in turn she gets us there.

We are largely made up of water. We need clean water, and specifically fresh drinking water. Our freshwater ecosystems are symbolic of integral river systems found both within and without us. Our ongrowing story is that our flora and fauna, found both within and without, are but one in the same.

We are the stewards, custodians and defenders we have been waiting for. I think most everyone recalls the Tom Curren led, Surfrider France river paddle. As surfers we have endless surf spots associated with rivers. Personally have traveled to Rio Nexpa in Mainland Mex a coupla few times, have witnessed the Stone Lagoon in Humboldt with firing ruler edged, double overhead mud walls steaming into port, and with rain season river waters gushing out in opposition, of sitting overlooking the Klamath River with tubes spitting in solitude, or with orcas posting up at the mouth waiting for unsuspecting sea lions returning form their day of fishing, and to be unceremoniously torn to bits by the waiting invaders.

The Call of the River by Autumn Skye Morrison

What about the salmon, the crocodile, our future generations to come ?? How is it so difficult to live in harmony with our mother ocean and earth mothers ?? Just who is it that continues to justify the further destruction of our natural world ?? Similar to olde growth forests, very little of original estuary habitat remains in America. The fresh water transport of nutrients to our coast has given way to now polluted waterways. Agricultural runoff in combo with the oft low capacity and poor efficiency of these concrete monolithic power “plants,” has done little short of cut us off from our god given supply of chi and mana.

Del Mar Rivermouth by Aaron Chang

Cry me a river. Big Sur, Del Mar, Santa Ana, Santa Clara, Tamarindo, Doheny and the Aussie Margaret, eye am so very sorry. I have been to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, to Zion and made a hundred other river crossings thru America the Beautiful. I have lived and worked on the River Farm (outside Bellingham). We all know the rhythm of the river. We are river peoples. Our soil is fertile. The dream is to go home, and to get back on the land. And apparently the need to is to celebrate our women’s rights and to put an end to any degree of exclusion, and in acknowledging that the Western woman will indeed save this world, and as she well knows about sustainable development and solid waste management.

the Estuary by Michael Lorenzini

rivermouth * three of rocks * surfer tarot

original painting by Michael Lorenzini

Watersheds and estuaries are elegant and harmonious natural habitat, and provide a valuable and also shared, community resource. The “river that runs through it,” is the “secret source” of life force. “Water is alive,” especially at the long end of a river, which is beautiful convergence of mother ocean and earth. Dependent upon rain and snow, she represents the passage of time, as egrets stand idle on her sides.

original painting by Jose Fernando Mendoza Puma

Another riparian resident of cultures abroad, is the crocodile, symbolic of the power of our unconscious, and the subsequent destruction and fury unleashed. Pollution and industry are the destructive forces at play, all in the name of progress. Toxins, pesticides, and industrial waste, all color the proceedings. The invisible hazards of septic seepage and sewage infiltrations add chocolate brown turrents to our already turbid, and now “sharky” waters. We elicit “enmity from harmony” by the “despicable nature of our deeds,” and the “thoughtlessness of our humanity.” Pollution “cuts off our source of inspiration and joy.” Our unsuspecting “river of life,” is now the carrier of our “ills and spills,” her currents rife with disease and unprocessed effluent. Rivers represent the trials and tribulations as we run through life, suffering loss and falling into oblivion. There is disappointment. We experience strife as hostilities are aroused, and as we think we’ve been betrayed, both individually and as a collective. But unless we as surfers and sister rivers, speak our minds, from our very own “rivermouths,” we have little more than a bleak future to look forward to.

Ironically enough, “mud and plankton at river’s end, reduce wave heights,” which is the least of our worries at the moment. Seasonal disruption aside, currents run deep, and the truth will be uncovered. “Turning a blind eye is unsatisfactory response.” Don’t be a “party pooper.” Band together. Not getting the support you hoped for? Team up. And you thought they’d never arrive. Be considerate. Upon careful analysis, others will take notice. Stay low key. We’re still learning and will respond to your lead. Be prudent. We are here to assist you. Empty out and rejoin. Know collaboration. Ready yourself for reunion. All rivers lead to the same ocean of One. Conjunction and a coming together often come only after great effort. Some ask, “are we ever gonna get there?” Enjoy your “long and winding road.” Sometimes it’s the most expeditious route between knowing and not. The crocodile is also symbolic of “knowledge” and “fecundity.” Apply your knowledge, skills and abilities to great advantage. Positive achievements and advances will come. Prudence is your watershed. Let “her story” flow through you.

original painting by Alexandre Flores Torrano