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Surfing with Donna Frye

Dreamy blue eyes deep tan with long blond hair, Donna Frye appears to be the quintestiental California surfer. Take a cursory look around her office on the 10th floor of the city hall building. Amongst the numerous plaques, certificates, and awards are surfing pictures, prints and memorabilia. Itfs easy to see the influence surfing has on her life. What many donft know is the influence her life has on surfing.

To understand where it all started go back to the early 60fs. The year is 1966, her older brother Michael takes her down to the beach, puts a surfboard under her arm and introduces her to a whole new world. Through surfing she gained a deeper understanding and furthered her relationship with the ocean and the environment. She fell in love with the surfing lifestyle.

Frye however didnft spend all her free time riding waves. These were turbulent times; the Vietnam War was a hotly contested issue. As Frye became more educated and informed on these issues she became more passionate. Here she would learn many lessons including the use and value of personal power, voting and speaking out for the voiceless. A few years later the 60's were over, but Fryefs love of the ocean was not. Wanting to stay involved and close to surfing as possible it was only natural she would end up in the surfing industry.

Circa 1988 she opened her own small but efficient surf shop. Her business became popular with the local surfers and community alike. Everything was going fine, that is until she started noticing a lot of her friends were getting sick. Surfers were starting to complain that water pollution was the cause. After her husband became ill from surfing in contaminated water she decided she had had enough. First she educated herself on the issues. She found out that water monitorzation standards or guidelines were non-existant. She realized someone had to speak up. As she says g The ocean doesnft have a voice it canft come to a council meetingh. She knew in order for things to change she would have to work within the system not against it. She formed a coalition S.T.O.P. (Surfers Tired Of Pollution.) and began attending city council meetings. She pushed for clean water standards to be established.

Frye's grass roots campaign literally sprang from the beaches. Much like Erin Brokovich, the Donna Frye story would make a great movie. She took on the giants. Politicians laughed when she posed beside the storm drainage pipes that led to the ocean to illustrate a point. Against all odds, this surfer girl from California brings the state of California to the plate on clean water issues and wins. BOOM!

Tired of bureaucratic double talk, she took and successfully passed a course on wastewater management. Frye knew what she was talking about because she took the time to become informed. As timing would have it a vacancy in the San Diego city council needed to be filled . Many who knew Frye believed she was the right person for the job. She still had not decided to run for the vacated seat when she read an article in the daily newspaper announcing her candidacy. After consulting with her mother and husband, Frye decided to enter the race. Her community backing was overwhelming. A groundswell of support was surfed all the way to the San Diego City Hall. Frye was overwhelmingly voted in as an official decision maker.

Now a distinguished member of the San Diego City Council, Frye's waves were just beginning. While she championed for open space and other issues, her major goal was and is to organize, represent, and fight for a cleaner ocean. Frye proposed bill 411 which would establish water monitorzation guidelines and clean water safety standards for the entire state of California. Fortunately for all, this bill passed, and surfers and all beach goers alike owe Donna Frye much of the credit for helping spearhead this movement. The public is now notified through posted signs when water quality is below accepted standards and unhealthy to go in. Those politicians who laughed at Frye when she stood by the drainpipes arenft laughing anymore.

Frye credits her grandmother and mother for early inspiration. Her philosophy teacher in collage Dr. Nafi and author Rachel Carsen (Silent Spring) are also instrumental for pushing her mentally. Frye received the Clean Water Network's hero award in 2002 in recognition of contributions to strengthening and protecting the clean water act and improving the nations waters. She stands along with Kennedy, John Chaffee, Barbara Boxer and 26 other Americans who have worked to make a difference in preserving clean water. She is SIMA's (Surfing Industries Manufacturing Association) 2001 environmentalist of the year. (Let's not forget that the surfing industry brings in over 4 billion anually and is still growing.)

Frye is recognized as a hero for her hard work and dedication. Among her many awards and certificates, the prestigious Eleanor Roosevelt award for advancement of women in politics stands out. Frye is a champion of community values and the American spirit, who describes herself as gan imperfect human trying to save the worldh. Sage advice from Donna Frye, "Register to vote." Voting is power,h she states, gIf you donft vote you give your power to someone else and why would you do that?" Adding, gVoting affects lives.h Frye believes armed with the truth, communicating and working together Americans can overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges. " Perhaps her popularity can be explained by her common sense approach and no nonsense attitude. Known as a straight shooter, she has gained the trust of the public. On her desk is a small figurine of Jimny Cricket to remind her, "Let your conscience be your guide". Frye is successful because she cares about the issues and educates herself. She listens to her conscience and takes positive action. We all owe a debt of gratitude to those who care enough to do something positive and speak out.

Though Donna Frye is not recognized as a professional surfer or someone who took surfing to new levels she has made more of an impact on the health of California's surfing than any other surfer. As Solana Beach mayor Douglas Shears offers, g If it wasnft for Donna Frye we would all be surfing in pooph. Frye shows us that if one person believes in something full heartedly they can bring about change. She demonstrates real leadership. Her actions prove the American system works. In a democracy a single voice can be heard. If you have an issue that concerns you, become informed and knowledgeable about it. The world is a better place because of leaders like Erin Brokavitch, Rachel Carsen and Donna Frye. Each had courage, listening to their conscience, taking personal risks and working to bring about change for the benefit of all.. There is another groundswell on its way. Listen and you might hear a wave rumbling in the distance, getting louder. Listen closely, it sounds like "Donna Frye for governor". Sea you in the surf.

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