When famed wetsuit innovator and surfer, Jack O’Neill, founded the O’Neill Sea Odyssey (OSO) Program in 1996, his intention was to inspire children with a life long passion and appreciation for ocean conservation. Hence, a living classroom was created on board the 65-foot Team O’Neill catamaran, where 4th – 6th grade students sail the Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary and receive hands-on lessons about the marine habitat and the importance of the relationship between the living sea and the environment. The program is conducted on board the catamaran with follow-up lessons at the shore-side Education Center at the Santa Cruz Harbor. It is free of charge, but students earn their way into the program by performing a project to benefit their community. OSO also serves special needs students through a program sponsored by the Adam Webster Memorial Fund.
I support many ocean advocacy programs, but I’ve always had a special soft spot for OSO because they know that the best steward for clean oceans are children. For that reason, for the next two months, SeaweedArt will donate 10% of all profits to the O’Neill Sea Odyssey Program. For all you ocean lovers out there, start shopping and spread the word. You make also make a direct donation to OSO here.
