SURFING SOAPBOX: In pursuit of a dream

The Surfing Soapbox is going global again, as we head to Europe “” more specifically; Portugal, Spain, France and England “” for the next three weeks. Hopefully I won’t crash another car this time around.

While in these countries I will be filming for the upcoming documentary movie “ECO-Warriors; Guardians of the Surf,” meeting with local environmentalists and groups.

I’ll be filing updates of my travels for Fuel TV, writing a feature for the Surfers Path and, of corse, my favorite of all “” writing the Surfing Soapbox for my Laguna family.

On Tuesday, the surf report in Portugal was reading 10 to 12 feet Sept. 26, the day I will get there, with plenty of swell behind it.

At 12:43 p.m. I’m writing my column and still haven’t finished packing. I’ve always been a little behind the ball but this is going to be a stretch to get it all done by 2 p.m. when I’m being picked to go to LAX.

Good thing my flight doesn’t leave until 6 p.m.

You would think after 18 years or more of travel it would get easier. But if anything, it gets more and more difficult. I’m not complaining, though. I love this opportunity to surf, travel and see the world. More importantly, the great opportunity to give back to our environment and our oceans, and to keep the dreams of tomorrow’s surfers alive and well.

Save the Waves, XS energy drinks, Boost Mobile and Ocean Minded are helping me continue on as a pro surfer and environmental spokesperson.

I have a dream and it’s the same dream of tomorrow’s generation of surfers and all the generations of surfers thereafter “” to enjoy a clean beach and ocean.

Together we can make this a reality.

Peace.

JAMES PRIBRAM is a Laguna Beach native, professional surfer and founder of the Aloha School of Surfing. He can be reached at [email protected].