World Ocean Day Is Coming!

Have you heard of World Ocean Day?

World Ocean Day is a global day to dedicated to the ocean, climate conservation, and activism. It was originally proposed by Canada at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. The United Nations General Assembly officially recognized June 8th as World Oceans Day in 2008 after a four-year petition drive and years of groups holding events to promote the movement.

World Ocean Day began in Ventura, California in 2019 as an event organized by Paso Pacífico. We called it World Oceans Day Ventura. The event took place on June 7th, 2019 in Ventura Harbor and brought awareness to us as a local nonprofit as well as spread awareness around ocean conservation and appreciation for it. The event was hugely successful, with an estimated 150 guests, and included activities such as live music and booths arranged by other local nonprofits. This set the stage for an annual World Ocean Day celebration in Ventura, but plans were derailed by the global pandemic.

This year, World Oceans Day Ventura is back as World Ocean Day Ventura! We have partnered with the Hokuloa Outrigger Canoe Club and their Ventura Outrigger Challenge race to celebrate the ocean at Ventura Harbor’s Harbor Beach Cove on Saturday, June 10th. The Challenge, a regional canoe racing competition, will be happening in the water as our event takes place on shore. Down the sand from Harbor Cove Beach, Hokuloa will also be having vendor booths, food, and a beer garden.

We are so excited to be holding our event on the same day as the Outrigger challenge, as Hokuloa’s mission is deeply rooted in appreciation and connection with Polynesian and Hawaiian culture and the ocean. The outrigger race taking place during our World Ocean Day event will fuel our energy around protecting and cherishing our oceans, and will also provide awesome entertainment for those on shore. We are so thrilled for our partner event to be the Hokuloa Outrigger Canoe Club!

The event will be held on June 10 at Harbor Cove Beach in Ventura from 11:00 am until 5:00 pm. The day-long event will feature live music, games, ocean-oriented non-profits, and an incredible view of the Challenge’s exciting canoe races. The Challenge, our partner event, will also have food, a beer garden, and vendor booths to explore. It is sure to be a day of fun in the beautiful sun, celebrating our ocean. Visit the event website to learn more and find extra ways to participate! Thank you for your support.

Story by Daisy Cunningham. Top photo by Nick Jackson.