On Saturday February 3rd, protestors took a stand (literally) against offshore drilling. Stand up paddlers and surfers gathered in Laguna Beach and voiced their opinion about the impact of drilling gone wrong. The plan would allow oil and gas companies to lease 47 areas off of U.S coastline and two locations in Southern California near Laguna. This is the first time since 1984 that offshore drilling leases would be offered for sale in California. Check out the full story at ocregister.com (Orange County Register).
According to paddle athlete and founder of SUPIA (Stand Up Paddle Industry Association), Kristin Thomas, "We were joining large numbers of outdoor related nonprofits like Surfrider and sierra club in protesting the opening of coastal United States ( except Florida ) to potential new drilling. My friend Aerin who has a business called Sunset stand up paddling, and I partnered to get a group out on the water to protest."
Photos by Michael Fernandez from ocregister.com