by Ronna Sweeney, KUAM News Monday, March 24, 2008 Subscribe to Ronna's newsfeed   E-mail this article Printable version KUAM Toolbar Web Widgets Get RSS headlines

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One local couple has made a three-year commitment to promoting clean water awareness. Whether by foot or by kayak, Beachwalk Project is taking Bob and Evelyn Weinman around coastlines on the United States mainland to raise awareness for the protection of everyone's right to clean water. During two and a half weeks this month the pair is making their way around Guam, with the first part of their paddling tour here having taken place this past weekend during the East Side Relay put on by the Guam Kayak and Canoe Federation.

Guam is the second stop on the Weinmans' journey. Last summer they traveled 1,600 miles up the Atlantic Coastline from Miami to Manhattan Island. Evelyn said, "It was both hard and very challenging and very positive. Especially to the kids. Our goal is to reach children all over the world. We just talked about keeping waters clean and picking up trash, that type of thing."

If she seems familiar to island residents, she should. Her maiden name is Tenorio and though she hasn't visited Guam in about a decade she was born and raised here. The Weinmans state two organizations are playing a vital role in their journey: Wateraid and Waterkeeper Alliance. "The nice thing about Waterkeeper Alliance is that they work with programs that already exist locally to collaborate with them to keep the local watersheds clean," Bob explained. "One of the things we're interested in doing is speaking to the kids, getting them fired up about keeping the waters clean, but also interested in getting a Waterkeepers program established here."

Over the next week Bob and Evelyn will not only complete their kayaking adventure around Guam, but through the coordination of underwater world, they'll be heading into island classrooms to teach children about the importance of keeping waterways pristine. Also, on the 30th the Weinmans plan to take part in a beach cleanup at Tanguisson, and they invite anyone interested to come on out.

"Never underestimate the power of kids they have original ideas, they have creative ideas, they have passionate ideas and they don't know the word no or cant. And that's really important," continued Bob. "I want to tell the people of Guam," concluded Evelyn in native Chamorro, "We need to protect and respect the land and the beach. The most important thing is to tell the kids to keep the island of Guam clean."

Once the happy couple completes their trip around our island, they won't be slowing down. They plan to tackle the coastline from Washington to Southern California this summer.