Indigenous surfers give SANE a helping hand

THE Surfers Appreciating Natural Environment (SANE) group partnered with groups from the Australian Indigenous Surfing Titles to plant more than 50 Indigenous plants at the Bells Beach Surfing Recreational Reserve this week.

The annual tree planting on Tuesday morning restored the final part of the reserve that was previously damaged near Winkipop, resulting in the full reserve now being full of Indigenous plants, shrubs and bush.

SANE member Gordon Stammers said it was a wonderful feeling to have the full Bells Beach Surfing Recreational Reserve revegetated and healthy.

“The area that we repaired was the last part that was recognised as damaged, so to repair that whole area was a great result.

“Now it’ll be just about annual weeding and maintenance… we won’t have to plant any more.

“It’s totally repaired and to have Indigenous people planting Indigenous plants to finish that all of was really terrific.

“A big thanks to the Surf Coast Shire, who provided us with the trees.”

As part of the Australian Indigenous Surfing Titles at the weekend, SANE also donated $500 to the winners of the junior boys and girls division.

“SANE values its long history of connection to the competitors of Australian Indigenous Surfing Titles and every year we learn so much about their local environments and how much they care for country no matter where they travel,” Mr Stammers said.

“We hope our donation to the juniors furthers that Aloha spirit that surfing engenders among surfers from all cultures around the world.”