SurferMag Message Boards: Recent Grad Brings Hope to the Rainforests One Surfing Lesson at a Time

RIDING WAVES FOR GREENER FORESTS

Recent Grad Brings Hope to the Rainforests One Surfing Lesson at a Time

(Encinitas Jan. 28, 2008) – Torrey Trust got more than she bargained for on her honeymoon. After she graduated from UC San Diego, Torrey and her new husband, Trevor Takayama, traveled to Costa Rica and discovered that it wasn't the beautiful and tropical honeymoon spot she had imagined it would be Trust saw first-hand what 200,000 acres of burning rainforests per day looked like and immediately knew she had to do something to help stop it. Trust, a previous surfing instructor for UC San Diego's Recreation Department, returned to California as a young entrepreneur and founded Surf eCo., a local and affordable surfing school that encourages its participants to live a green lifestyle.

Based out of Encinitas, Surf eCo. strives to impart environmental awareness and appreciation amongst local surfers through group discussions about environmental issues and beach clean-ups at the end of each lesson. By providing competitively priced surfing classes for surfers at any level, Surf eCo. hopes to raise $50,000 to save 1,000 acres of tropical rainforests by the year 2010.

In addition to having such an impressive goal, the company prides itself in being a leading example of an environmentally-focused organization. Surf eCo uses eco-friendly surfboards made out of bio-foam, which are unlike the large foam boards seen at many other surfing schools. The company also provides organic sunscreen, bamboo towels, and organic wax to allow surf class participants to test out eco-friendly beach products.

Trust, who is likely the first CEO of her graduating class, is thrilled that she is able to put her surfing skills toward a good cause. "It's great that I am fortunate enough to do something I love to support something I am passionate about," said Trust. "I'm just crossing my fingers that we'll be able to reach our goal!"

Surf eCo. offers private and group lessons as well as four week long surfing classes for all ages. Each surfing lesson is followed by a group discussion about current environmental issues and participants are given information about ways to make a difference on a local and worldly level. Also included in the price of a lesson, the company provides free photo and video coverage of each participant's surfing experience and also hands out an assortment of eco-friendly gifts to participants, such as organic wax and reusable bags.

For more information about Surf eCo. or to schedule your first class with Trust, visit www.sdsurfeco.com.