Honor the Ocean, an educational event designed around marine protection and tradition, is coming to Zuma Beach this weekend.
Malibu’s local Chumash community and indigenous maritime peoples will celebrate Los Angeles’ indigenous population Sept. 24 in partnership with Sherman Indian High School, an off-reservation boarding school. The event will run from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at Trancas Beach at Zuma in Malibu.
Participants in the Honor the Ocean celebration will have access to a full day of education on how to better preserve the ecosystems in the future, as well as surf lessons and cultural storytelling, history and traditions.
The event is hosted by the Los Angeles Marine Protected Area Collaborative and will begin with a ceremonial blessing from the Chumash community, followed by the rare opportunity to see a tomol, a traditional Chumash redwood planked and sewn canoe. Other participants include LA County Lifeguards and LA Waterkeeper.
“This event bridges two important aspects of Malibu; the vibrant marine ecosystem off our coast and the rich Chumash culture that has protected it for hundreds of years,” Mayor Lou La Monte said in a statement provided by the City of Malibu. “I encourage everyone to attend this event and continue to educate themselves and their children on how to protect what we cherish every day.”