#OceanLoveEarl Share Your Favorite Ocean Story on July 3rd for My Dad’s Online Memorial

Online Memorial: July 3, 2013
In Loving Memory of Earl Kanter MD
Tweet or Facebook your favorite story about the ocean or share an ocean conservation link with #oceanLoveEarl hashtag

My Dad passed away this past week after long and courageous battle with Parkinson’s. Please join me in a special online tribute to my Dad on July 3 and share your favorite ocean story using the hastag #OceanLoveEarl.

A Surfing Memory of My Dad

My father had a deep-seated love of the ocean and was a life guard for 30 years for the Ventnor City Beach Patrol. He made his reputation as a competitive swimmer and won many awards. This honed his appetite for frolicking in the hurricane swells that sweep the ocean in late summer. He was the first person to bring surfing to the Jersey Shore in the 1960′s – he was an early adopter, teaching himself how to surf and owning one of the first Greg Noll surfboard. In an article about his surfing in AC Press, he said, “I like the thrill of riding a large waves – it’s like climbing Mount Everest.”

To honor my Dad’s memory and his love of the ocean, I am organizing this virtual “Paddle out” and inviting everyone to share their favorite story about the ocean, an ocean conversation link, or this link to an online fundraiser for Surf Rider Foundation using the hashtag #OceanLoveEarl on July 3, 2013 – it is a virtual paddle out or memorial service that surfers do to honor a surfer who has passed away.

Surfers that participate in an offline paddle out memorial service, paddle out to a suitable location with flower leis around their necks or with loose flowers (sometimes held between their teeth). The participants then get into a circular formation, hold hands, and silently pray. Sometimes they will raise their clasped hands skyward before tossing their flowers or leis into the center of the ring. Afterward, they paddle back toward the beach to begin their surf session. Often these services take place at sunrise or sunset. In locations with a pier, the service can take place near the end of the pier so that any non-surfers, such as elderly relatives, can watch and participate. Often the participants on the pier will throw down bouquets of flowers into the center of the ring.

A Few Wonderful Stories

Here’s a few examples about how friends and even strangers have sent a tribute to my dad using the hashtag #OceanLoveEarl to share their story about the Ocean.,

Who Connected You to the Ocean – a reflection from Surf Rider Foundation, CEO, Jim Moriarty

#oceanloveearl I swam all the tidal pools on the Bondi to Coogee Walk in @sydney_sider. It’s a dream I had for years. pic.twitter.com/aYmr0755k7

— James Nickerson (@NickInSFO) June 29, 2013

@kanter Mom was from fishing village, Granddad kept a lighthouse, much of my early life spent at beach/near water. #OceanLoveEarl

— Jane Bozarth (@JaneBozarth) June 30, 2013