If you’ve been around for a while, you know that collaboration has always been at the core of everything The Giving Gifts is about—a commitment to building relationships with individuals within the community, leaning into listening, and responding in a way that brings together the ideas and vision of many. This past weekend, The Giving Gifts was invited to be part of the Equiccino Surf Open, a first-time event for them and a first-time collaboration for all of us. Here are a few things I learned through this weekend:

Collaboration is beautiful

The collaboration process began a few weeks before the actual weekend, initiating through Instagram messages, transitioning to WhatsApp texts, language exchanges, and sustained excitement about the possibilities throughout. Witnessing it all come together was truly incredible. One aspect I particularly appreciated was the resilience amidst challenges. A random storm threatened the weekend, expediting everything to Friday and Saturday. On Saturday, we had the opportunity to set up the cleanup area amongst a diverse of remarkable makers, small businesses, yummy food , and the rest of surf competition, there was yoga, fishing, massages, skate lessons, seriously such a sweet setup!

Collaboration is challenging

I think it’s important to recognize that collaboration is never easy, as it involves bringing together different ideas, planning styles, personalities, and expectations. If I am being honest, I had a way more difficult time with this than I was expecting because for a very long time, most events I’ve been part of, I’ve also planned. I was reminded of how important and necessary it is to be able to take myself out of the driver's seat and be flexible enough to occupy any seat. It’s wild how the need for control can be so sneaky in the way it appears.

Collaboration creates connection

I found myself strolling through the event grounds, wearing all the Giving Gifts gear—complete with gloves, a trash grabber, and a bucket—with by friends from New Zealand, Northern California, Ensenada, and all the other places I might have not even known represented. In that instant, a profound sense of connection washed over me, reaffirming the essence of all we are doing. This, I realized, is IT—bringing people together, people, pups, families, friends, surfers, people celebrating, struggling, competing, organizing, selling, all showing up together…ahh what a gift.

COMING UP

Our next cleanup is happening on April 6th - we’d be stoked if it didn’t rain this one :)

Hugeeeee win, we found an organization that will come and collect the recycling right there at the beach! This is seriously so wonderful because we will now be able to expand how much we collect AND my car will not be holding the left over scents any longer!!!!

We are also working on some mental health workshops coming up this spring and summer and some extra fun possibilities for people to get involved where you are at, I’m really looking forward to sharing more about all of it so soon :)

THE PODCAST

I’ve had a handful of people reach out and ask about the podcast. I was hoping to launch season five this month and honestly we are just not there yet. There are a handful of directions the podcast could go and that is something that doesn’t feel landed quite yet. Stay tuned 🙏🏽