Huntington Beach Waves and Ocean "Blessed" at Special Ceremony

by Chris MacDonald

HUNTINGTON BEACH, CALIF.—"Our planet should be called 'Ocean,' because more than 70% of the Earth is covered by water," said Huntington Beach Mayor Connie Boardman at the 6th annual "Blessing of the Waves" ceremony next to HB Pier yesterday. "More oxygen comes from the ocean than plants outside it on Earth. The ocean needs our blessings and we need the ocean."

Boardman was one of 17 former HB Mayors on hand with hundreds of surfers and others at the popular event which brings together people of different faiths and cultures to show spiritual appreciation for our ocean and all it provides.

"The ocean makes us one family," said Father Sumo Sato, chaplain for HB's Marine Safety group. "It brings us together—Hawaii touches HB because of it. We need to treat it with respect and we need to be at peace with one another. This will have a ripple effect around the World!"

"What surfer hasn't sat out on the water and felt the swells. It's a time for prayer and we should be grateful for what God has provided us," said popular Surfing Franciscan Father Christian Mondor, 88, who helped start the "Blessing of the Waves." "When you're waiting for the next wave and you look out at the mountains, you truly feel blessed. The ocean's a wonder and delight for generation after generation."

Dean Torrance of Jan and Dean, whose famous "Surf City, USA" record was released 50 years ago, said, "HB is the greatest place you could ever live—it has the music, it has the waves and it has Father Christian, who is my hero for starting 'Blessing of the Waves.'"

The Greater HB Interfaith Council, hosted the event, which has fans from around the World. Ministers, priests and rabbis from several different religions spoke about the importance of working together to "make us one family," "to love and respect one another and the ocean" and "to keep it and the beaches clean."

Randy Lyford's legendary Woody and others graced the amphitheater entrance as the incredibly- talented Surf City Strummers Ukulele Band performed for the delight of the crowd while surfers rode the waves in the background.