May 18, 2021
In this episode I am blessed to meet and share space with Kris Primacio, who currently serves as the CEO of the International Surf Therapy Organisation (ISTO), a Nonprofit she co-founded in 2017 in Cape Town
You are going to hear stories about sea otters, dolphins, the healing power and potential of mother ocean, about how surf therapy can both heal and unite in a common goal.
You will hear Kris emotionally express how the death of her father impacted her and how she took to the water to find connection, with nature and with her loss. Kris tells us how the International Surf Therapy Organisation was formed and what the community does across the globe. We also chat about access, equity and equality in the water and why this needs to be addressed.
We chat about Justin “Brick” Howze and Gage Crismon who took to social media for support after being victims of racial abuse in the water on presidents day at Manhattan beach and how the two surfers have told their story helping others know that mother ocean has a zero tolerance to Racism. Kris was able to tell me first hand about the incident I read about here in the UK, that affected her surf buddies and the whole surf community. She educates me about Bruce's beach an area of land that was created to encourage and allow black visitors and families to live and access the sea, those who created this were driven out by the KKK and the city officials condemned the neighborhood in 1924 and seized properties through eminent domain and she tells me about how the US is now having to address the Legacy of segregation in their outdoor spaces.
Kris and and I also discuss the need to protect the ocean and earth and how the climate crisis is also high on the agenda for ISTO's lists of priorities
I have to confess I am thinking of starting an official Kris Primacio fan club as what an honour to talk to someone who makes you feel glad you got up that day, just to be in her energy. This episode floats into us pondering belonging, acceptance and why mother ocean may grant you the invitation to visit but she does not belong to anyone.