Reef Check Champion- Bruce Raymond

By -
Reef Check Champion- Bruce Raymond
Bruce Raymond with RC's Gregor Hodgson
In this issue we feature Bruce Raymond, President of Quiksilver International. Bruce was a professional Top 16 surfer who after helping pioneer the International Professional Surfing (IPS) joined Quiksilver as a sponsored athlete in 1975. He managed the promotions and advertising at Quiksilver Inc from 1978 – 1980 before returning to Australia as the CEO of Quiksilver Garments in 1981. In this capacity Bruce managed the Quiksilver Trade Marks, Copyright, Licensing structure worldwide and the International Promotional Fund. In 2003 he became the President of Quiksilver International and continues to be the driving force behind many Quiksilver initiatives, including Athlete management, Global projects and Events.
Fijian kids in front of the new boat for Waitabu
Photo by Helen Sykes
In 1999 Bruce launched the “Quiksilver Crossing”, a voyage of surf exploration, empathy for local culture and customs while giving something back to the environment. This started his relationship with Reef Check. Since the boat left Australia in 1999, he has invited and funded a Reef Check scientist to accompany the Indies Trader on its search for undiscovered surf breaks so Reef Check could monitor remote reefs in the process. This work has provided data that was otherwise unattainable and has educated thousands of surfers about the value of coral reefs and problems facing them.

In 2004, Bruce provided a substantial donation for RC Fiji coordinator Helen Sykes to cover more than half the cost of the construction and delivery of a boat for the Waitabu Reef Check team. The villagers were so overjoyed that they awarded Bruce and fellow supporter Fiji Water with a whale's tooth, a traditional "tabua." In 2005, Raymond also made another generous donation to support RC Australia.
"Bruce Raymond is a true visionary who understands how important healthy coral reefs are to the future of surfers and all humanity. There is no other person who has done more for Reef Check," says Reef Check Director Gregor Hodgson.
If you know a Reef Check Champion you feel should be highlighted, please email a brief description of his/her contribution as well as a photo to RC Headquarters.

Reefcheck Newsletter: Reef Check Champion- Bruce Raymond

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Yacata Island, Fiji. - News & Information

By -
MARITIME - Waitabu marks marine park anniversary www.fijidailypost.com - 6-Jun-2008 Sai's Comment: - This is a great example of how naive Fijians could also contribute to preserving their environment while generating some earnings from their natural resources. Am proud to have met people involved in the Waitabu project when in NZ from the contributions of the NZ government. Am more proud to learn that my island of Yacata have just recently also designated a part of the fishery around the island as a marine reserve. Great effort and leadership by those on the island. TWENTY years ago the villagers of Waitabu on the north-eastern coast of Taveuni would never give a second thought about their reefs or what dwelled on their shores. They walk on the reefs breaking the corals and take home whatever they can eat no matter how small they are.There was heavy algal or seaweed growth because there was no more fish to feed on it.The state of the Waitabu village coast was so pathetic that at ...
Read more

Great snorkelling trip and village visit - Review of Waitabu Marine Park, Taveuni Island, Fiji - TripAdvisor

By -
Thoroughly enjoyed my time at Waitabu. We arrived at 9am and spent a couple of hours snorkeling in the marine park at Waitabu with local guides who knew their stuff. We were poled up to the park in a handmade Fijian bamboo raft, a Bilibili. The local guides had a good knowledge of the area and were cool to relax afterward on the beach in a new open sided bure with tea and music. Very laid back and true eco-tourism in it's purest sense. One thing is that is is a tidal activity, and can only be done a few hours on either side of high tide. You can't just rock up and go, it must be arranged by phone first so you know what time would be good. Great snorkelling trip and village visit - Review of Waitabu Marine Park, Taveuni Island, Fiji - TripAdvisor
Read more

Tovu Tovu Resort | Fijian Hospitality | Taveuni, Fiji

By -
Image
Waitabu Marine Park Tour Tour Description: Waitabu Marine Park is a reef conservation success story. Visitors experience excellent snorkelling to see the transformation made to the marine life since the establishment of the park in 1998. Trained guides will snorkel with the tour and will point out and explain interesting sites. The half-day (5 hour Fijian time) trip should NOT be missed during your visit to Taveuni. Note this trip is subject to weather & tides. If the sea conditions are unsuitable the trip will be cancelled or postponed. Costs — FD $50 pp — Trip suitable for visitors aged 12 years and over Cost includes: — Snorkelling equipment — ' Bilibili ', Fijian raft ride — Local guides with intimate understanding of the natural area — Morning or afternoon tea & village refreshments, prepared by the women of the Waitabu Village What to Bring: — Sandals or running shoes for the lunch — Swimwear & cameras — Water bottle & sunscreen — Hat & sung...
Read more