The pristine white sandy beaches of Kiritimati Island will hold a special place in the hearts of surfers as their cherished playground if they are care for. This was emphasized by Mr. Keone Downing, Pro-Surfer and Outbound Exchange Fellow from the East West Center when delivering training for the Island’s youths his one-week stay in Kiritimati Islands.
In addition to imparting surfing skills to the young surf enthusiasts, Mr. Downing encouraged them to adopt a noble habit – beach cleaning. His inspiring words, “Pick one trash before you surf and pick another one when you’re done surfing,” resonated deeply with the young surfers. The message was simple yet impactful – if each surfer commits to this practice, their cherished playground, the ocean, will always remain clean and free from debris washed down from the beaches.
Although Mr. Downing’s stay concluded on the 19th of July, the local surfers conducted their own beach clean-up activity on Thursday, 27th July, attracting new participants to join in the cause.
The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) supports and recognizes these proactive cleaning initiatives, particularly by the young people. In this spirit of environmental stewardship, they were also invited to participate in the Ronton beach clean-up that was held on Saturday, 29th July 2023.
As the next generation of surfers emerges on Kiritimati Island, their dedication to beach cleaning paves the way for a brighter, cleaner future, where both the ocean and the shore remain pristine for the enjoyment of locals and travellers alike.
