MY BLUE Q & A

Introduction

Jose explains why he chose to be become a BLUE Ambassador

© Jose Luengo

Q1. How does your sport connect you to the natural environment and how does that environment continually motivate and inspire you?

A1. For me, kitesurfing is a union with the ocean.  When you have a board and a kite, you can go where you like - you can travel around the world, visiting oceans and you get a very different view to everyone else.  It's this different perspective that gives any kitesurfer the understanding of the world. 

The real motivator for me is knowing that everyday, the ocean is different.  I want to learn to respect it and protect it, through the enjoyment of my sport.

Q2. What has your sport and experiences through it, taught you about your natural environment?

A2. If you go to the ocean everyday, you understand that it is the most important power in the world.  Sometimes, you have bad experiences and other days, you learn a lot - you just can't comprehend how much learning there is still left to be done through the ocean.  In my case, where I use the waves you can never truly know what is going to happen next and for this reason I have a lot of respect for the ocean and it's hugh energy.

Q3. A healthy environment is necessary for healthy sports.  Through participating in your sport, have you encountered anything that has truly shocked you about the impact human activity is having on the natural environment?

A3. Every day I see dirty places full of plastic bottles and plastic bags, which I hate.  I know this is not good for the ocean or for the animal life it contains.  But when you come across protected areas it pleases me to see the environment and animal life preserved the way it should be in all environments around the world.

Q4. If you could motiate people (on a local, national, or international level) on one particular environmental issue, what would it be?

A4. In my case, I want to motivate people to maintain clean beaches, camp sites and natural environments around the world.

Q5. What have you changed in your day to day living behavious and choices, including how you go about your sport, that makes a positive difference?

A5. Each day, I go to my local beaches and advise people on how to keep the beach and sea clean.  I know there is a big problem with board wax, which many surfers use.  I try to buy wax products that are better for the sea, which don't cause contamination.  I also have a boat, which I try to put the best environment friendly products on, again so as to not contaminate the ocean and I never throw anything into the sea.

Q6. Why did you get involved with the BLUE Climate and Oceans Project?

A6. I want to see future with clean oceans and beaches, which my sons can enjoy as much as I do.

Q7. What one piece of advice would you offer to encourage people, specifically young people to think proactively about a BLUE future and what actions could they take to achieve this?

A7. Do something good for the future and the future will look after you.  We all need to preserve our oceans and respect our natural environments like they are are own property.