By Katie Willis Morton

- Photo by Trevor Failor

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville News belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville News, its staff or publishers.)

The Massachusetts chapter of Surfrider Foundation held their annual Surfing To Teach Kids Environmental Education event last Saturday at Nahant Beach.

For the last four years Surfrider MA has teamed up with Big Brothers Little Brothers of Boston to bring kids, many of them for the first time, for a day at the beach to help them make the connection to a great sport usually not accessible to them and to the fact that the cities they live in are connected to the ocean and how they care for the environment in their own neighborhoods has a big impact on the world. Everything that goes down a household drain or into a city gutter ends up having an effect on the ocean.

Charles Mitchell, of Roxbury, and his “big brother” Derek Ricciuto, of Somerville, were among the  20 pairs of bigs/littles who came out for the day. When asked what his favorite part of the day was, Mitchell replied while shaking his head with a smile to convey his wonder and stoke, “When I caught that big wave all the way to the beach.”

This was Mitchell’s first time surfing. As quick to catch the big environmental picture as he was the first waves he was gently pushed into by an enthusiastic Surfrider volunteer Mitchell said he knows that what you do with your trash and waste in the city matters because if the ocean is clean you can surf and have fun, and if it is dirty no one has fun.

He was also quick to remember the first three “rules” of surfing his volunteer shared with him: Have fun, keep your chin up, and look at the view ahead.

The event is co-produced by Jamie Hosker, of Brickhouse; formally a surf shop now offering Boardweek Surf Camps and private lessons. Jamie brought boards, and suits, and tutored each little new grom (young surfer) personally. All riders caught a wave one way or another and all had smiles like the horizon doing it.

Surfrider Foundation is a international organization dedicated to caring for the oceans, waves, and beaches through conservation, legislative action, research, and education. The STOKEE event is specific to the Massachusetts chapter envisioned to educate and excite the next wave of people who will hopefully embrace the foundation’s creed “To surf and protect.”

Surfrider meets at Diesel Cafe in Davis Square every first Wednesday of the month at 6:30 and welcomes surfers and beach lovers of all kinds. www.surfrider.org/massachusetts