Director Jim Alabiso responds to Times Union article. Says COJ is "behind the curve".
"Until people get to have fun using the river, they're not going to find it crucial," Oldakowski said. Great article. That is precisely what we do at JumpingFish, a non-profit advocate for the waterways. By virtue of our programs we are "protective economy" builders. Right out Professor Ray Oldakowski's back door will be one of the largest mobilizations on the St. Johns on September 7th.
10 open water swimmers will swim 10 kilometers straight through downtown from Jacksonville University to the Full Warren Bridge. Joining them at Arlington boat ramp will be a large flotilla of kayakers, SUPs, Jacksonville Fire Boat, the Riverkeeper boat, kayak teams, dragon boats etc. The public is invited to join the flotilla (http://events.jumpingfish.net/ (http://events.jumpingfish.net/) )
The weekend before is the Public Trust Paddle race. Earlier this year was River Ruckus, the St. Johns Celebrity Jump and River City Challenge. Organizations like JumpingFish, St. Johns Riverkeeper, Riverside Arts Market, First Coast Outfitters, Public Trust and many others are working hard to take Oldakowski's sentiments to the next level.
Visiting over 10 cities this year, observing how they leverage their waterways, has demonstrated to me that COJ is far behind the curve on 1) Understanding the principles of recreational economy around waterways. 2) Taking pro-active measures to create and support initiatives. The Wando River in Charleston is a fine example of creating a thriving athletic and recreational economy around a waterway. Charleston is filling hotel rooms and restaurants by leveraging their river. COJ is sitting here with eyes glazed over.
Next year JumpingFish will host the first marathon open water race in Jacksonville, Race for the St. Johns. The race will bring athletes here from across the country and across the sea. This evolution has been made possible only from the support of the citizens, non-profits and business owners of our community. Its time COJ got active in these efforts.
The St. Johns is hardly the desert I observed while walking the riverside in 2010. There has been exponential growth in using the St. Johns for athletic an recreational use. Community support is overwhelming. We just have to pay attention. Get out on the water and leverage the momentum. See you September 7th!
Jim Alabiso, Executive Director, JumpingFish, info@jumpingfish.net
In it. On it. Like you mean it.
#####
http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2013-08-23/story/st-johns-river-water-quality-improves-aquatic-life-not-so-much (http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2013-08-23/story/st-johns-river-water-quality-improves-aquatic-life-not-so-much)