The Network: Otto Flores
Pro surfer and surf guide • Puerto Rico raised • environmental and ocean education advocate • protector of mangroves and waves • ocean safety instructor • Founder of Oue Mar and Granito de Arena
Image Jorge Figueroa
Parley is honored to welcome pro surfer turned ocean activist Otto Flores to our collaboration network as we team up with his organization Oue Mar. Together we’ll work with the communities of Puerto Rico, in projects and initiatives focused on ocean education, direct action against plastic pollution and strategies that help protect marine ecosystems while inspiring more environmental stewardship.
We caught up with Otto after his return from instructing at the 2023 Big Wave Risk Assessment Group (BWRAG), a summit launched to foster ocean safety and risk management in local lineups and the global ocean community at large. Here, he talks through his career in the waves and how he wants to create change with Parley for the protection of both blue and green spaces and the people who depend on them.
Image Manuel González
“For the last 30 years, I've been playing in the ocean. I have had the good fortune that surfing has been more than just a passion… for all that the ocean has given me, it is my duty to give back to the ocean.”
Otto Flores
Image Daniel Alberdson
Q&A with OTTO FLORES
What’s your earliest memory of the sea?
When I was just a pup, I remember waking up early on the north coast of Puerto Rico and walking the beach on a glassy day. The thought of peace and tranquility prevailed. And then to see the strong trade winds blow what was a perfect ocean into an unruly place of consequence… As time has passed, I have learned to be obsessed with this wonderful resource that bears plenty.
Tell us about Oue Mar and Granito de Arena – what is your focus now?
You can say Granito de Arena was the start of my involvement with a sustainable movement and the catalyst to what today has become an activist at heart. Oue Mar started as a high-end surf guiding service and then became the umbrella that shelters the many supporters and partners working to protect the oceans through projects, missions, strategies and so much more.
How do you see the organization evolving and growing in collaboration with Parley?
Parley is an extension of Oue Mar’s mission to educate, execute and deliver sustainable solutions that can help alleviate our plastic problem, unnecessary development and protect green spaces.
How has surfing influenced your involvement in activism?
Surfing has put me in the epicenter of the environmental movement, especially in my community relative to the issues that surround us. Surfing has given me the voice to speak from a certain perspective that gets directly affected by conflicts of this nature.
Why is it important to you to build community through surf activism?
A great man (Yvon Chouinard) once said, “No revolution starts at the top.” The importance of recognizing issues that affect us all builds the power of numbers, and with numbers come results.
What’s the significance of bringing this work to Puerto Rico?
For the last few years, I have had a passion to protect the ocean and help the places where we play. I've felt this sense of responsibility that has brought me to activism. I have had the joy of learning a lot, and want to be able to help projects that really emphasize the flora and fauna, and the preciousness of this place. I feel that I am part of this community, of this island of enchantment, as we call it.
I understand that little by little, with strategy, with all these learnings that I've had throughout my surf career around the world, to bring a little bit of this, this little grain of sand back and share it with the community, it can be a tremendous tool for us to help the future and well-being of our island.
You are the wave ambassador for Punta Borinquen World Surf Reserve, why is this significant to you and the community of PR?
If I can't help people in my own backyard, who am I to think that I can help someone else? These places mean a lot to our community. This is where our kids connect with nature and the resources this island has to offer.
What are some local issues that are affecting your local waves and beaches?
At the moment, poor planning is the top issue. This leads to unnecessary development that eventually depletes our natural resources, directly affecting places that work perfectly in their natural state.
You just returned from BWRAG. What’s the importance of this gathering for the future of surf safety as well as ocean activism?
Yes, this week was action packed as we celebrated the third year BWRAG PR Summit. This summit means the world to the surf community. It teaches them how to be better responders, risk technicians instead of risk takers, and could give you skills that could potentially save a life in the future.
What is your personal ocean mission and/or vision for the future?
My personal mission is to support and create initiatives that are directed to restore mangroves. Another one is to create ways to minimize or stop the plastic pollution which we are all witnessing in this day and age on a massive scale, and last but not least I would like to focus on ocean safety here on the island as we do not have a formal life saving program in itself.
What's your favorite sea creature?
My favorite ocean creature would have to be a Dolphin.
Favorite ocean fact?
“We are all separated by land, but connected by water.” - Brian Keaulana. Ocean water, that is.
Most memorable wave ridden?
That one wave in Tahiti, Teahupo'o, still tops the list.
Image Jorge Rivera
Image Jorge Figueroa
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