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April 1, 2010
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FOSTERING AN OCEAN COMMUNITY Ohana O’Kekai teaches students to surf and respect the ocean. by Annica Stitch
First there is the serenity of a relaxing day at the beach, lying under the sun undisturbed by the murmur of other beach goers. Then, if they are lucky, there is the promise of a good waves. After a day of fun at the beach, senior Benjamin Fortun and his club Ohana O’ Kekai remember to give back to the ocean they love. Fortun and AP U.S. History teacher Phil Comito started the club because of their shared love of the ocean. “We have the same affinity [and] love of the ocean and the history of surfing and the waterman life style in the South Bay,” Furtun said. Fortun wants to pass on the history of surfing and teach others about respecting the ocean. “The full respect of the ocean [comes from] learning about it. Ancient Hawaiians used to devote their lives to just understanding the ocean: how it works and the different scenarios the ocean wants to give,” Fortun said. When the club surfs together, they try to leave their surf spot in a better condition than how it was when they arrived. “We make sure that where we surf is [left] clean. We also teach everyone [in the club] about the wildlife and the ecosystem down [at the beach].” Fortun said.
According to Furtun, the main reason people join the club is to share their passion and love of the ocean. Senior Jessica Flores learned how to surf with the help of the other club members. “I just kind of like the energy mostly. Everyone here is really open and friendly. Ben and the other people are willing to teach me, let me use their boards, and show me tricks and things so that when I want to go out by myself I can do it successfully,” Flores said. Nearly every Saturday, the club goes to the beach to surf together. “I feel like we’re getting closer. Our surf days are really nice. You see other people’s techniques and the style in which they surf and it’s just really cool to see your friends go out there and show their passion,” Flores said. Comito attributes the club’s success to Fortun and club members like Flores. “They do an awesome job of talking to the kids and talking about really relevant subjects having to do with the ocean, ocean safety, surfing and history. They draw a really good group of kids every week that are excited [about the club]. They do a great job,” Comito said.
Fillman and father bond by teaching surf lessons by Emma Uriarte
It’s the first day of surf class and sophomore David Fillman is in his element. But he isn’t learning how to surf; he’s teaching it. David and his father, Steve Fillman, teach surfing together as a father-son bonding experience. David has been teaching surf for four years now, and according to him, it never gets old. “It’s really cool to see someone stand up for the first time,” David said. “I love seeing the looks on peoples’ faces when they know they’ve caught their first wave.”
Mr. Fillman teaches surfing along with his son, but he has more than 14 years of experience. Before he puts his students in the water, he talks to them on the beach about safety and techniques to stay out of trouble. “When I’m teaching someone, I teach them how to pop up and balance on the board and to keep their legs relaxed,” Mr. Fillman said. “After that, we get in the water on a foam board and wait for waves and tell them when to paddle and when to stand up.”
According to Mr. Fillman, surfing has been a family activity that he was happy to share with his son. “It’s nice because I originally taught David how to surf and now he teaches others to surf with me,” he said. “Now he’s a much better surfer than I am.” David likes to teach his students to respect the ocean, along with all of the other fundamentals of surfing. “I teach [students] how to stand up and how to catch a wave, but also let them know to be patient with the ocean because you
have to let the right wave come to you. When you can wait for the perfect wave, it makes surfing a better experience,” he said. Not only does David teach surf, but because he loves the ocean so much, surfing teaches him to protect the ocean. “Surfing means you’re in the ocean all of the time, so you want to take care of it,” David said. “I don’t trash the beaches because when you surf in dirty water you can get sick. I want to be able to do something I love without worrying about anything else.”