Dopper is an initiative that promotes clean drinking water for everyone and reduces plastic waste. For this purpose, Dopper has developed the perfect reusable water bottle; durable, beautiful and incredible easy to clean. You'll immediately reduce plastic waste, because you'll never need a single-use plastic water bottle again. The Dopper is a real Dutch design, produced with a net zero carbon footprint, free of BPA, contributes to drinking water projects in Nepal and they have now teamed up with Starboard Dream Team rider Anne-Marie Reichmann.

"Dopper and I came into each other’s life in 2012. I became an ambassador for Dopper being a professional water sports athlete; living my life in and around the ocean for decades. Mother Oceans can use some ‘love’ when it comes to preventing more plastic waste ending up in her. I am feeling happy and excited to be the messenger and help promote how we can all ride for cleaner oceans.

A quick sum up about me and my water-woman life: I traveled the world being a professional windsurfer for over 10 years with a career highlight becoming 3rd overall on the ranking list of the Professional Windsurfing Association in 2002. I have seen and sailed many oceans over those years and did various travel stories to different destinations exploring new waves, countries and cultures. I would (try to) surf when the winds were down and couldn’t stay away from the water when the winds were down.

In 2008, I took up Stand Up Paddling on Maui. Besides playing around in the waves, I loved surfing the wind swells on my 15 foot ‘down winder board’ and experienced some amazing crossings in the most beautiful waters and its ocean wildlife between the Hawaiian Islands. I ended up with a 5th place on my solo crossings in 2012 in the Molokai-Oahu race. The last 7 years I have worked on the SUP 11-City Tour; a 138 mile long stand up paddle race through 11 cities in Friesland, the northern province of the Netherlands where I am born and raised. I tested, invented, organized and paddled the event 5 years in a row with an overall win in 2009 and 2011. Dopper has been providing us with water bottles since 2 years for all our crew and participants! Go Green.

Since 2 years I live a stone throw away from the Monterey Bay in California where I have the great pleasure to stand up paddle, windsurf, teach, compete, shape and surf my own surfboards. When my body needs a break, I find beach treasures for my art projects. I have a blast to play and perform in the water and I also love the healing side effects from the ocean and the beach when life gets hectic & heavy. Teaming up with Dopper, representing and using their bottle, is way to ‘give back’ to Mother Ocean who has given me ‘the world’ and more.

Being Dutch, I am incredible proud of this initiative from fellow “Dutchy” Merijn Everaarts, who started Dopper in the Netherlands. Living in California, spending as much time as possible on Maui and attending events around the globe, I am excited to have become an active ambassador outside the Netherlands and spread the message to everyone who can hear it:

“Please, reuse and refill your Dopper bottles, so you do not need to buy single used plastic water bottles anymore!”

There are a lot of shocking facts about what is going out there. On the other hand, there are also positive movements happening like in the Monterey Bay where I live, that is a National Marine Sanctuary. The Sanctuary System promotes environmental protection, stewardship and ocean research. Over the last few years increasing numbers have shown an increase of all kinds of fish from tiny shrimp to giant blue whales.

I share the line up with dolphins and seals (at times), which seems to be more usual and in higher numbers now than some years ago. I also share the line up with great white sharks. “When you love, you cannot be attacked”, my yoga teacher from Amsterdam told me many years ago. So yeah, needless to say, I send the great whites a ton of love being out there ;)

The last few years on Maui, I have seen an improvement in health with the turtles. About 10 years ago, there were more turtles with cancers on their bodies because of pollution. Due to better awareness and better education systems, their condition has improved. The Internet also provides a lot of information that helps educate and communicate about what is going on. I believe there is a positive shift with more general awareness and more ‘ocean minded’ initiatives are happening. We need the ocean and now the ocean needs us!

Do you like to ride for cleaner oceans? Then visit Dopper.com so you can order YOUR own Dopper and start using, reusing and refilling your Dopper bottle.

You can also reduce your personal plastic waste by being mindful buying groceries, recycle items that can be recycled and pick up the trash. Be The Messenger and help educate others!

Aloha,

- Anne-Marie Reichmann-Totah