Blue Water founder responds

I am writing in response to the many inaccurate and incriminating

statements, misrepresentations and insinuations made toward Blue

Water in the Sept. 16 issue of the Coastline Pilot.

It is true that the event earlier this year, on Feb. 5, was billed

as an event to benefit Surfrider.

Though Surfrider did not receive any money, they did not lose any

money either. The 250-plus memberships Surfrider received were all

covered by Surfrider’s national headquarters, and as a result our

local Surfrider chapter did not owe this debt. Though we were

disappointed Surfrider did not receive monetary benefits, they did

benefit in many other ways.

For example, they received an enormous amount of exposure through

county-wide advertising in the form of posters, fliers, press

releases and public service announcements, as well as new members.

Neither Blue Water nor I received any money at all, and I actually

went into debt to help fund the event. We paid for 15 bands, extra

security, staging, lighting, sound (for two major stages), projection

screen, film crew, Tivoli Terrace for the day (VIP area), the

Festival of Arts venue space, high advertising costs, banner makers,

printing, and some party rentals (in part donated by Montage Resort)

for chairs, tables, linens, heat lamps, cocktail tables and more.

It is important to note regarding the Blue Water Music Festival

held on Feb. 5: In a period of 60 days, with no-initial start-up

capital, with little to no prior experience in organizing such a

massive undertaking, we succeeded in putting on one of the best

events in recent Laguna history.

We are a fledgling organization. The Sept. 11 concert was the

first to achieve one of our goals, which is to help raise revenue for

nonprofit environmental organizations. Although Surfrider received

the lion’s share, Ocean Laguna and the Pacific Marine Mammal Center

were given a small donation.

For the February event Chris Williams gave Blue Water a $350

surfboard and a week of surfing lessons valued at $335. We took out a

full-page ad to thank every nonprofit, donor, vendor and participant

in the event, and Williams’ name was included. And after reviewing

our list of thank-you letters, we find that his name was indeed on

the list. We regret that Chris did not receive this letter.

I would like to add that the article pointed out that money raised

was spent to pay the bands and other expenses. There would not have

been aBlue Water Music Festival had the bands not been paid.

It is extremely unfortunate that I am forced to defend Blue Water

and myself in this manner, because Blue Water is such a positive

movement.

* RICK CONKEY is the owner of Blue Water Enterprises