Monday, June 29, 2009

Santa Barbara Surfers Paddle For A Cause


On May 12, two Santa Barbara surfers fueled by Sambazon Açaí, Nole Cossart and Chadd Konig, set out on a formidable journey to paddle from Gaviota (just north of Santa Barbara) to the Mexico boarder. Their journey, was crafted to raise awareness to the threat development poses to Gaviota – one of the remaining undeveloped and untainted coastlines left in California.

Traveling on paddleboards loaded with food, water, clothing, surfboards and camping gear, Nole and Chadd clocked an average of 15-20 miles per day – and by June 7th, after 300 miles and 28 days on the water) they triumphantly reached their destination at the US-Mexico Boarder.





Here is a sneak peak into Chadd’s journal from the voyage:

5/12/09
Laying upon grassy knoll. Bug just landed on the page. Sun going down behind hill. Wind blowing offshore. Paddle boards tucked away in bushes. This morning we departed from Gaviota now we will sleep at R-Beach. A few seals tagged along a wee bit. Dolphins greeted us at R-Beach. Throughout the day I got to rest me eyes open space and life. Now me belly full, warm clothes on, tarp laid out-sleeping bag as well! Make shift pillow. Water, Knife and thoughts of far off hills. Paddles were plenty today. Sun has lowered behind hills yet still lights the sands. A mushroom shaped piece of wood. Driftwood all over. Silhouettes. Warm hat on me head. Ocean sounds in me ears-will be there all night. Consistent-count on it. Wind is light at moment-cooling me sun warmed face. We arrived today at a beach of smiling folks. Laughs abundant and not a word shared. Eye contact and acknowledgement. Respect and shared space. Island outline. Birds in flight-yes the night! Sand still moving with water and light. Seaweed keeps some of the water glassy. Thank you day.

5/13/09
Woke wet with the sea. On wet grass. Step out of sleeping bag-wet yet warm. Collect all belongings and stuff the dry bag strategically. A wee dog begins barking at me. The ocean is moving in the direction we wish to travel. Southbound. The ocean carries us gently for the first few miles, then wind shifts and blows right as us. Bouncing us. Slowing us. Decide to head inside the kelp in hopes of calmer seas. As I navigated and clawed through the kelp I peeked over at the beach. An invited sight indeed. Dry, warm, rock formation providing a potential home. Turned board to land and beached. Immediately clothed meself, opened food bag and had at some fruit and nuts. Climb on the rocks for a bit-have a short vision a day on this hidden beach, yet decide to head south into the wind. Back in water, dolphins arrive immediately. Seal joins too. Sharing their home. I reach Leadbetter Point and the wind ceases. I look across-Hammonds Reef in sight. I pass the mile out buoy where seals bask in the sun and make seal songs. Next to the buoy are the seals who did not make the seal "buoy cut" or opted to stay in the water. They reach their flippers for the sky. One seal is persistent. Again and again propels itself onto the buoy...falls back, yelps and shamelessly splashes. Dives under, builds speed and has at it again. As I was about out of sight the seal succeeds. Positioned and ready for sun basking. Other seals snap at each other. Then I make a seal noise and they pause. Calm for a moment. Continue paddling and they continue their buoy party. As I pass a large fishing vessel three of the crew look out in my direction. One man, seems to be captain, has a hollar at me. Inquires bout my direction, "Where you headed?" I paddle closer and answer, "That beach over there-then south to the border." He smiles, looks at his crew and offers all his goods. A place to rest, food, beer, cigarette? I thank him and wish them a good day. They all wish me luck. Arrive at Hammonds-greeted again by dolphins. Unload and fill me belly.

For a complete summary of the voyage check out part 1, part II and part III.

The Green and Purple Trail




Jay Stafford, Sambazon’s friend and ambassador, has taken his summer tour on the road. Jay will be touring music festivals across the nation setting up his own Açaí stand and selling Sambazon goodness. Last weekend, Jay hit the Harmony Festival and here’s a quick update from the road...

"Well, the Trail is officially ablazin'...Harmony Festival was spectacular and the people were in love with acai all over again. It's easy to remind them why it is the best food at the festival. Just a little taste and there body tells them, "YES!" We tried out some new topping combos the goji berry, cacao nib, mulberry, and pistachio mix from Kopali (from hereon out called "Kopali Mix" on top of shredded coconut was very popular among luminaries and good old folks alike. I had five lovely ladies helping keep the booth afloat all weekend. At, Sierra Nevada, people were still ordering "Rasta Bowls," a classic acai berry blend topped with granola and shelled hemp seed from Manitoba Harvest, the best hemp on the market. And that was a kick because that's not on the menu. Great to see the reggae fans keeping it local."

To read more about Jay’s Green and Purple tour and to find out when he’s coming to a town near you, check him out on facebook!


Upcoming events:
* High Sierra Music Festival
Quincy, Ca
Thursday, July 2 at 10:00am

* Emrg N See
ten miles east of Salem, OR
Friday, July 17 at 2:00pm

* Mystic Garden Party
Jackson WellSprings
Thursday, July 23 at 9:00am

Friday, June 19, 2009

International Surfing Day, June 20th, 2009



International Surfing Day was created 5 years ago by the Surfrider Foundation and Surfing Magazine to celebrate surfing and protect the quality of our ocean waters for future generations to come. Tomorrow’s the big day, and it will roll out with scheduled beach cleanups at nearly 100 beaches in the US and worldwide. We encourage all of you to get out there and help support the cause (plus there are going to be challenges and prizes to be won too!)

Sambazon will be out at Huntington Beach fueling the cleanup crew. So come find us!

Check out Surfing Magazine for more information and to find an event near you.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Dear & Yonder Summer Tour

We’ve been waiting for the premiere of Dear & Yonder all year! A surf movie created by Tiffany Campbell and Andria Lessler, Dear & Yonder is an epic ocean odyssey of the female kind. The summer screening tour starts in Cocoa Beach, FL this month, then travels to the West Coast and around the world. Hope to see you at one of the showings!





Full Tour Schedule:

CITY: Cocoa Beach, FL
LOCATION: Ron Jon Surf Shop (4151 N Atlantic Ave)
DATE & TIME: Friday, June 19th at 8pm
DETAILS: Part of the Roxy Design-A-Bikini promo starting at 5pm. Lots of fun activities and giveaways…all FREE!

CITY: San Clemente, CA
LOCATION: El Mariachi Restaurant (1925 S El Camino Real)
DATE & TIME: Tuesday, June 23rd at 8pm
DETAILS: Buy dinner and join the NSSA groms and Roxy team surfers for a casual movie night and free giveaways

CITY: Galveston, TX
LOCATION: Saengerfest Park (22nd & Strand)
DATE & TIME: Saturday, June 27th at 8:30pm
DETAILS: Bring your beach chairs and blankets and join Roxy team surfer Kassia Meador for this free outdoor premier and Roxy giveaways.

CITY: Encinitas, CA
LOCATION: La Paloma Theatre (471 S Coast Hwy 101)
DATE & TIME: Thursday, July 2nd at 7pm
DETAILS: Join Roxy team surfers Lisa Andersen, Kassia Meador, Sofia Mulanovich and Sally Fitzgibbons for the official Southern California premier and Roxy giveaways. $5 ticket at the door.

CITY: Honolulu, HI
LOCATION: Doris Duke Theater (900 S Beretania St)
DATE & TIME: July 23rd & 24th (times TBA)
DETAILS: Join Roxy team surfers for the Surf Film Festival at the Doris Duke Theater

CITY: Biarritz, France
LOCATION: St Eugénie in Biarritz during the Roxy Jam Biarritz
DATE & TIME: Saturday, July 11th at 10pm
DETAILS: Join Roxy team surfers for the Roxy Jam Biarritz surf festival

CITY: Venice, CA
LOCATION: TBA
DATE & TIME: Friday, July 17th
DETAILS: TBA

CITY: Ventura, CA
LOCATION: TBA
DATE & TIME: TBA
DETAILS: TBA

CITY: Grand Haven, MI
LOCATION: Grand Haven City Beach
DATE & TIME: Saturday, July 18th at dusk (around 9:30pm)
DETAILS: Bring your beach chairs and blankets and join Roxy team surfer and former World Champion Sofia Mulanovich for this FREE outdoor premier, great music and Roxy giveaways.

CITY: Hampton Beach, NH
LOCATION: Ashworth by the Sea in the Sandbar (295 Ocean Blvd)
DATE & TIME: Tuesday, July 28th at 8:30pm
DETAILS: Join Roxy team surfer Kassia Meador for this free outdoor movie premier and Roxy giveaways

CITY: Brooklyn, NY
DATE: Thursday, July 30th
DETAILS: Art show and movie premier with Roxy and Paper Magazine. Invite Only

CITY: Olympia, WA
LOCATION: Capitol Theater (206 5th Ave SE)
DATE & TIME: Saturday, August 1st at 7pm
DETAILS: Join Roxy team surfer Kassia Meador for the Washington premier and Roxy giveaways. $5 ticket at the door.

CITY: Portland, OR
LOCATION: TBA
DATE & TIME: Tuesday, August 4th (time TBA)
DETAILS: Join Roxy team surfer Kassia Meador for the Oregon premier and Roxy giveaways.

CITY: Vancouver, Canada
LOCATION: Grace Gallery (1898 Main Street at 3rd)
DATE & TIME: Thursday, August 6th at 8pm
DETAILS: Art show and movie premier

CITY: San Francisco, CA
LOCATION: Potrero Del Sol Skate Park (25th & Utah)
DATE & TIME: Saturday, August 8th (time TBA)
DETAILS: Art show & movie premier

CITY: Avalon, NJ
LOCATION: Avalon Community Hall (3001 Avalon Ave)
DATE & TIME: Thursday, August 13th at 7pm
DETAILS: Proceeds from this event will benefit Brendan’s Fund, a pediatric cancer fund. For more details visit www.brendansfund.org

CITY: Hermosa Beach, CA
LOCATION: Saint Rocke (142 S Pacific Coast Hwy)
DATE & TIME: Friday, August 14th at 8pm (doors open at 5pm)
DETAILS: Join Roxy team surfers for FREE Roxy giveaways, a movie premier and great music. Visit www.saintrocke.com for tickets

CITY: Santa Cruz, CA
LOCATION: Pie Ranch (2080 Cabrillo Hwy)
DATE & TIME: Friday, August 14th (time TBA)
DETAILS: TBA

CITY: San Clemente, CA
LOCATION: Surfing Heritage Foundation (110 Calle Iglesia)
DATE & TIME: Friday, August 21st at dusk
DETAILS: For details & tickets visit www.surfingheritage.org

CITY: Wilmington, NC
LOCATION: Lumina Theater on UNCW campus (601 S College Rd)
DATE & TIME: Wednesday, August 26th at 7pm
DETAILS: Join Roxy team surfers for a FREE movie premier and Roxy giveaways

CITY: Virginia Beach, VA
LOCATION: Waterman’s Surfside Grille (415 Atlantic Ave)
DATE & TIME: Thursday, August 27th at 8pm
DETAILS: Bring your beach chairs and blankets and join Roxy team surfers and ECSC groms for a FREE outdoor movie premier and Roxy giveaways

CITY: Oceanside, CA
LOCATION: Swiv Tackle Circus (530 S Coast Hwy)
DATE & TIME: Saturday, September 19th (time TBA)
DETAILS: Join Roxy team surfers and the Keep-A-Breast Foundation for an art show and movie premier

2009 Summer Speaker Series at The Ecology Center




Our friends at the San Juan Capistrano Ecology Center are hosting the first ever Summer Speaker Series this summer to address the issue of Basic Needs – food, water, shelter, and clothing. Fulfilling these basic needs has an inherent impact on our communities and environment. Guest speakers will discuss how to make a positive environmental impact in how we choose to live our lives.

This will serve as a forum where the residents of Orange County can explore these crucial topics with cutting-edge thinkers from a variety of backgrounds:

June 18th: Food
Michael Besancon, Whole Foods Market

July 9th: Water
Emily Pilloton, Project H Design

August 13th: Shelter
Matthew Miller, Appropriate Architecture

August 27th: Clothing
Erik Joule, Levi’s
Johnny Schillereff, Element Skateboards
Roian Atwood, Sole Technologies
Derek Sabori, Volcom V.Co-logical Series

Join us for an evening of conversation, 6:30-9PM, wine and beer, and light fare.
Registration for these unique events is $15/members, $25/non-members. Guests can sign up via The Ecology Center's website, or call The Ecology Center at 949.442.4223.

If you’re not able to make this, we encourage you to do a quick google search to find and get involved with a local ecology center near you.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Real Deal Açaí Blog Series: Part 6 - Something for Everybody


Last month I had the pleasure of sampling out some of our new products at Denver’s first ‘Greenfest’. As I stood in front of the booth to make sure our display was dialed in, I couldn’t help but smile to myself about how many awesome products we now have available and how far we’ve come. It all started with our Original Acai Rio Blend and Amazon Cherry frozen smoothie packs in the summer of 2000. Up and down the coast of Southern California, Juice bars, cafés and restaurants made a variety of smoothies and acai bowls using these frozen smoothie packs. People loved the smoothies made from these products and it didn’t take long for the acai bowl experience to catch on too. The success of the frozen smoothie packs in rootsy SoCal eateries led to them being picked up by Whole Foods Market and many of the natural foods stores across the nation.

Thanks to the popularity of the original frozen smoothie packs in natural foods markets, we were able to expand our acai offerings to bottled juices, sorbet pints and freeze dried acai supplements. Now we even offer a line of 32oz (family sized) acai beverages that folks just can’t seem to get enough of the 32oz bottles. I wish my family had a 32oz bottle of acai juice on the breakfast table when I was kid!

In addition to the buzz around the new 32oz, family sized acai beverages; I was amazed at the overwhelmingly positive feedback from our 3 organic energy drinks . Energy drink lovers at Denver Greenfest were so happy to see that they can now look to Sambazon for delicious energy drinks that not only work but are actually organic too! Checkout the new Jungle Love, packed full of aphrodisiac herbs and Diet Amazon Energy which was created utilizing the natural, low calorie sweetener stevia.

I had the pleasure of meeting all kinds of people at Denver Greenfest and it was seriously cool to have ‘something for everybody’. Keep your eyes peeled for even more variety cuz it doesn’t stop here. And now you can find Sambazon products at a rapidly increasing number of conventional supermarkets too! Click here to search our retailer finder for a list of stores near you . Look for more new Sambazon products in 2010. I actually just sampled a couple new top secret products and they were insanely awesome – yeah! And, if you can’t seem to find the Sambazon products you love in the stores where you shop – don’t hesitate to ask the store managers to start stocking our stuff! Let us know if you have any success getting it on the shelf in your local stores, and we’ll send you a little ‘thank you’ just from us!


Your Friend,

-Skanda