Bali Waterman Awards to honor 'ocean defenders' - Jakarta Post

Non-profit humanitarian organization ROLE Foundation will hold the Bali Waterman Awards to honor people for their contribution in preserving Bali's ocean, rivers, beaches and waterways.

Nominations for this inaugural award were open to the public for one week, from Aug. 12-18 nominees could be individuals whose activities are related to water, for example snorkeling, surfing, yachting, lifesaving, diving, windsurfing, white water canoeing, swimming and cleaning waterways or oceans, as well as helping coastal communities and mentoring children around the water.

The judges will narrow the list of nominees down to three to four people for each award.

The nominees, between 30-40 people in total, will be invited to the award event on Aug. 31, when the winners will be announced and the awards given to one person from each of nine categories.

The categories are: "Waterman Life Inspiration Award", presented to a veteran waterman/woman who truly inspires from the past.

Waterman and Waterwoman of the Year will be granted to individuals involved in water sports and/or adventurers that could be role models for children.

The "Cleaner Seas and Rivers Award" will be presented for exceptional achievement in cleaning up Bali's rivers, oceans, beaches and waterways.

The "Superstar Supporters Award" will be given to a public figure who goes the extra mile to support and raise awareness for the environment.

The "Community Building Award" is for those who have made a difference to the ocean, coastal and island communities.

The "General Mentors Award" is for exceptional achievement in mentoring children and young adults in watersports/adventure, while encouraging a healthy marine environment.

A figure with exceptional mentoring achievement, working with children/young adults in watersports/adventure, healthy lifestyle, healthy environment, will receive the "Watersports Mentor Award".

While, a global figure who makes a difference and sets an example for future generations will be presented with the "World Water and Earth Care Award — International Role Model and Champion of the Seas".

Mike O'Leary, founder of ROLE, said recently, "Through this event, we also try to tighten the connection between the activities of watersports and adventure and the efforts to clean waterways and oceans."

He added that the awards were also aimed at raising awareness about the condition of waterways and the ocean in and around the island. "They are filthy and making people sick."

ROLE estimated that some 5,000 tons of waste is dumped illegally in Bali every day, polluting the waterways and ocean.

"The waste management authorities of Bali seem frozen and unable to act," he said.

To address this problem, ROLE's Island Sustainability Education Center designs education programs as a long-term solution to meet this challenge by providing know-how, skills and assistance to Balinese and Indonesians who really care about the environment.

The awards will be presented during the event "Bali Waterman's Blues for the Blue", a celebration of love for the ocean, at the Tapeo Gastrobar at Beachwal Kuta, from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. on Aug. 31.

"Everyone who love the oceans and waterways, whether a surfer, a fisherman, a diver, a sea captain, anyone who has passion for the ocean or simply enjoys living surrounded by water, is invited to come to the night of Blues music," said Alexa Schetter, a volunteer for ROLE Foundation.

The event will feature surf and ocean memorabilia, an art exhibition, raffle and fashion show. The highlight of the evening will be the auction prizes, includ-ing a signed surfboard from Australian surf champion Joel Parkinson.

With the Waterman's awards to be presented by judges Steve Palmer, Paul Gringo Anderson, Tim Watt, GedeNirmeda, Marcello Aryafara and Mike O'Leary, this year's major honoree will be the Balinese sailor Made Monoh, who sailed from Nusa Lembongan, Bali, to Darwin, Australia, in a traditional jukung (outrigger canoe) in 1973-1974.

Complementing the night, music will be presented by bands of the Bali Blues Community, who are known for creating an unforgettable atmosphere.

All funds raised will go toward the Island Sustainability Education Center and its programs dedicated to stop waste getting into the rivers, waterways, beaches, reefs and harming the ocean's ecology.

Tickets are available for Rp 350,000 (US$32.65) at ROLE Campus at Jl. Siligita 22 in Nusa Dua, or can be purchased by contacting fena@rolefoundation. org. The ticket includes a welcome drink, tapas, raffle ticket and a welcome photo.

www.thejakartapost. com/bali-daily/2013-08-20/bali-waterman-awards-honor-ocean-defenders.html