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Organizations

In 1998, Heal the Ocean didn't even exist. But by

1999, after being challenged by surf community leader

Clyde Beatty to get involved, Hillary Hauser put

together, under the umbrella of the Jean-Michel

Cousteau Institute, an organization that could address

the priorities of local surfers. A feat not to be

underestimated, just like Hillary.

In 1999, Heal the Ocean was the sole beneficiary

of the funds raised by the Surfrider Foundation's Clean

Water Classic, held in March at Rincon. For the first

time in the Foundation's history, Surfrider was giving

money to another organization to help defend the surfing

environment. Not only did Surfrider write a check to

Heal the Ocean for almost $7,500, but the local Surfrider

chapter also wrote them a check for $1000. Hillary

earned this support, and that of C.U.R.E. (See the next

article, page 238) because she was focusing on two

specific targets: solving the problem of having septic

tanks so close to the surf and investigating sources of

pollution up Rincon Creek. Getting the homeowners to

connect to a sewer, and analyzing the DNA of e.coli

contaminants in the creek were immediate and tangible,

and Hillary ultimately came through on both projects.

Thanks to Hillary's effectiveness, Heal the Ocean

again received the support of Surfrider and the local

surfing community as a beneficiary of the 2000 Clean

Water Classic. This time, Hillary was given a check for

$4,300 towards a feasibility study to reassess all sewage

outfalls into the ocean throughout Santa Barbara County

to really find out what it would take to reduce, or even

substantially eliminate, sewage discharge into the ocean.

This would be a remarkable achievement, and yet Hillary

doesn't bat an eye at the challenge. "The ocean should

not be a dump. Period", said Hillary. I couldn't agree

more with this remarkable woman and her organization.

G.H.

Upper page: Hillary swimming with dolphins.

Above: With Jean-Michel Cousteau and oceanographer Sylvia Earle

Below: Body boarding mainland Mexico.