20 July 2018, San Juan, La Union. Designed by FEED as one in a series of climate change interventions under its LIVING LEGACY program, ECOSURF is being launched as an alternative, greener sport rather than recreation only when getting “stoked” when out at sea.

Stoke Defined

“Enduring surf slang expression meaning excited, pleased, happy, thrilled. “Stoke” is an English adaptation of the 17th-century Dutch word stok, used to describe the rearrangement of logs in a fireplace in order to bring up the flames. California surfers began using the word in the early or mid-’50s, and it never went out of fashion. Variations include “stoker,” “surf-stoked,” “stoke-um,” “stokaboka,” and “stokearama.”

Source: Encyclopaedia of Surfing, https://eos.surf/entries/stoke.

ABOUT ECOSURF

ECOSURF is designed as an environmental program that combines both respect for our ecological systems whilst also enabling us to enjoy the swells of the seas.

Facilitated by our dedicated local wahine, ECOSURF combines both the basics 101 of surfing by Certified Surf Instructors from a local FEED partner surf school, with beach cleanups, beach yoga, environmental workshops and organic dining experiences – all elements of which are incorporated to enhance visitors’ appreciation of a sustainable tourism experience.

The ECOSURF program was conceived in La Union Province, Philippines, in partnership with local leaders in surfing, surf instruction, coastal cleanups, tree planting and wellness provision services for the benefit of the community. Rhea de los Santos Ventura, co-owner with Jong Magsanoc of the Certified Jongky Surf School; together with FEED’s VP Operations Diane Penales and Director Anne-Marie Mananquil Bakker, spent the day ironing out a program that would appeal to the typical and growing millennial visitors to San Juan for surfing.

ECOSURF is currently offered in San Juan, La Union; and Zambales surf spots in the Philippines.

ECOSURF Partners

ECOSURF partners are from all walks of life, but they all share one solid appreciation for both the preservation of our environment and sustainable tourism, to the promotion of greener recreation activities for all.

Lupon ng mag Indibidwal na Nangangalaga sa Kalikasan (LINK). Tree-Planting & Coastal Clean-ups, youth, volunteer & ecological support services, supplies and other resources mobilization.
Jongky Surf School. Surf Instructors Certified by Municipality of San Juan, endorsed by La Union Surf Club, Inc. (LUSC) and trained in Water Search & Rescue (WASAR) with Boat Operation.
Local Wahine. Local program facilitator to secure reliable transport, accommodation, food & beverage arrangements and central coordination throughout the ECOSURF La Union program.
Urbiz Gardens.Discover La Union’s old school vibe at Urbiz Garden, a humble bed & breakfast home away from home at the heart of San Juan, Urbiztondo, La Union.
Aquanimous Yoga. Lalah offers a holistic wellness program that
promotes a healthy and balanced lifestyle through various Yoga Asana practices, Buddhist Meditation, ThaiVedic Bodywork and Ayurvedic Nutrition. She holds a safe and welcoming space for all levels of practitioners.
Zambawood. Private ranch estate where guests can spend their days exploring the mystical qualities of the shores of Zambales. Part resort, part haven, part creative think-tank, part organic, part movie-esque, take your best shot at allowing yourself to be swept up in the embrace of this magical place.
Julian’s Farm. Julian’s Pine Beach Farm provides tranquillity and a place where people with special needs can be involved and grow with the farm that bears Julyan’s name; it’s where we grow organic vegetables and raise free range chickens in view of the Zambales mountain ranges, West Philippine sea and the scent of crisp fresh grass (ears are prepared and heartily cooked by our in-house chefs for guests to discover and enjoy the local flavours).
Julian’s Surf B&B. Boho chic, chill out, alfresco haven for all beach lovers on the shores of La Paz in Zambales.
GoHalves. Customised web-based platform offering specialised individual and group experiences, outings, getaways and adventures; FEED’s partner in promoting and marketing ECOSURF.
iVolunteer Philippines. Every Filipino a Hero. The Philippines’ first volunteer portal built BY volunteers FOR volunteers to spread the passion of volunteerism in the country; FEED’s partner in promoting EGOSURF for Students and Volunteers for the Environment (SAVE).

EGOSURF Acknowledgements by FEED

The classic yet contemporary ECOSURF logo was designed by FEED partner Charisse Palmos, a surfer and social entrepreneur, as well as co-founder – with her husband Jeff Ganuelas – of Promdisea, a popular locally based online surf shop based in La Union Province, Surfing Capital of Northern Luzon.

The ECOSURF team are dedicated to maintaining a natural, safe and GREEN environment, one in which our children can enjoy clean fun in the sea for generations to come.

#lokalwahine #bottomturnregular #RheadelosSantosVentura co-owner of Jongky Surf School, San Juan, La Union. Photo courtesy: Surfing San Juan.

GoHalves & FEED Partnership

GoHalves and FEED have been collaborating since early 2018 to customise the ECOSURF offering for La Union and Zambales, as authentic ecotourism adventures.

The GoHalves platform offers a unique space working interactively and intimately with its community to deliver differentiated experiences. The GoHalves team thrives on community support, energy, creativity and collaborative nature. The company built its foundations on local and international talent. We have experienced and creative individuals from London, New York and Manila dedicated to bringing you the best experiences.

12 Simple Lessons for Riding Through Life

12 Simple Lessons for Riding Through Life, world champion surfer Shaun Tomson shares the life lessons he’s gathered from decades of surfing-from his boyhood adventures in South Africa to the world tour in the late 1970s to the business world today.

I will never turn my back on the ocean: Passion
I will paddle around the impact zone: No short cuts
I will take the drop with commitment: Courage, focus and determination
I will never fight a rip tide: The danger of pride and egotism
I will always paddle back out: Perseverance in the face of challenges
I will watch out for other surfers after a big set: Responsibility
I will know that there will always be another wave: Optimism
I will ride and not paddle into shore: Self-esteem
I will pass on my stoke to a non-surfer: Sharing knowledge and giving back
I will catch a wave every day, even in my mind: Imagination
I will realize that all surfers are joined by one ocean: Empathy
I will honor the sport of kings: Honor and integrity

Source: http://shauntomson.com/projects/books-films/surfers-code

Contact FEED

FEED runs a number of Students and Volunteers for the Environment (SAVE); Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) – such as mangrove planting for coastal protection or ridge reforestation plantings; One Child, One Tree; Bio-Intensive Gardens (BIG) for nutrition in public elementary schools and other spaces; Climate Change Survival 101 and other LIVING LEGACY programs – customised environmental engagement activities for individuals and organisations interested in contributing to climate change adaptation efforts and greening critical areas such as watersheds, ridges, and reefs that all require rehabilitation.

Tree-Planting with FEED: Video

Check out the video journey by Clueless Commuter who planted with us (24 June 2017) to get a good idea of how FEED plantings go: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPC29Rwr6Pg