The Billabong Pro is billing itself as Africa’s first green surfing event. Which is to be encouraged, obviously, and unlike a lot of such claims, there actually appears to be some substance behind it. All contest vehicles are running on biodiesel. The event is using solar hot water. The event caterer boasts organic produce and biodegradable plates and cups, and an emphasis on reducing waste. Separate recycling bins are provided for glass, plastic and other rubbish. Contest personnel are equipped with their own reusable water bottles and coffee mugs, to eliminate more waste. Guidelines to further reduce your impact during the event are widely on display, encouraging all present to save energy by switching off lights when not in use, and other simple tips. This is undeniably all good shit and sorely needed. The average pro surfer appears to generate a mountain of empty plastic water bottles on a daily basis and has the carbon footprint equivalent to some small nations.

The local comunity group, the Supertubes Surfing Foundation, has a strong presence at the event, promoting its work of restoring native vegetation, protecting the dunes, keeping the beach clean and highlighting local environmental issues. And one of the most alarming of those issues might have surfers at J-Bay turning green for very different reasons. The fact that a massive nuclear power plant is being planned for nearby Oyster Bay seems to have caused barely a ripple in the world’s surf media. Local environmentalists are alarmed that the project appears to have sidestepped public scrutiny and a thorough Environmental Impact Statement, and according to one local campaigner is already “a done deal” despite widespread and growing opposition. Nuclear power is being widely promoted as part of the solution to addressing climate change, because it doesn’t generate greenhouse gases. There is just the small matter of radio-active waste with a half life of 25,000 years, the cataclysmic spectre of industrial accidents, the construction of high voltage powerlines through the surrounding pristine countryside, the fact that prevailing winds would carry any emissions from the plant directly towards Jeffreys Bay. Considering J-Bay’s status as one of the world’s great pointbreaks, it seems extraordinary that there has been virtually no publicity about this issue.

Your correspondent enjoyed a quick arvo road trip to the aforementioned Oyster Bay yesterday, and can report it is as delightful a little seaside town as you could hope to find. It’s wide sweeping beach and mountainous coast produces serious thumping beachbreaks, a solid six feet this day while J-Bay was perhaps two. Surfers Fanning, Durbidge and Martinez found a few rifling barrels among the pounding peaks, only a 40 minute drive from the tiny, sideshore contest venue. The one thought that would not have entered my head during the whole otherwise idyllic experience was, “Gee, this would make a great place for a nuclear power station.”

It has also, perhaps coincidentally, been unseasonally warm here at Jeffreys Bay, a balmy 26 degrees yesterday in what is supposed to be the depths of a southern winter. If you are wondering what Dave Rastovich is doing about any of this, then wonder no longer. He is, as I type, and as God is my witness, attending one of Al Gore's Climate Change training seminars in Melbourne. Dave was selected from more than 2000 applicants for the summit, conducted by Al Gore and an international panel of experts, and hosted by the Australian Conservation Foundation.

“I think anyone passionate about protecting the environment and the issue of Climate Change would jump at the chance to listen to and learn from Al Gore,” says Dave. “Part of attending this summit is to become an advocate for climate change and to pass on the messages through my own activities.”

I have to say, from what I've seen, Dave is way out on his own here as a pro surfer who is informed and involved in these issues, and whatever you think of his retro-styled career marketing, he deserves props for that. As do Billabong for the worthy initiatives here. It's a small thing, but it's a start, and a whole lot better than doing nothing.

For more information about The Supertubes Surfing foundation, check out their website.