We couldn’t have asked for a better speaker for this month’s CM Water talk. Not only is Andrew Wunderley a passionate surfer, boater, and swimmer, he’s the Executive Director of Charleston Waterkeeper, a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting, promoting, and restoring the quality of Charleston’s waterways. We caught up with him to learn more about his background, why he loves all things H2O, and where he finds creative inspiration. Check out the full Q&A below. 

All images by Amaris Photo: http://amarisphoto.com/ 

What do you love most about what you do?
The easy answer is the opportunity to be on or in the water. But it’s really the water people. The folks that fish, surf, sail, paddle, volunteer, paint—whatever it is they enjoy. There are a lot of really neat and interesting people around here that love our rivers and creeks.

How did you get into your field of work?
I studied science, environmental policy, and law. Charleston Waterkeeper brings all those things together in one place. More than that, I really like to surf. The thought of loosing that to pollution or a lack of access is unbearable.

How do you start your day?
Email. Unless there’s waves. Then I surf. 

Tell us about your proudest moment or accomplishment.
The proudest moments for me are when people get inspired by our work, internalize it, and reflect it back to our community with their own voice and actions. I see that in volunteers, I see it supporters, I see it when folks show up speak at city council meetings. Their stories are always inspiring.  

Do you have a hidden talent?
Building stuff and fixing things—boats, surfboards, computers, furniture. I’d really like to learn to work on cars someday.

Who or what gives you creative inspiration?
An old Waterkeeper once told me: “If you ever get stuck for what to do, go down to river and listen. And, then go do what the river would do if it could speak.” Works every time. 

CreativeMornings events are fueled by coffee. If you’re a coffee drinker, what’s your go-to order?
Black. But, I don’t order out. It’s too expensive. Plus, the best coffee comes from the pot on my kitchen counter.

What is your favorite place in Charleston?
It depends on the wind, tide, sand, and swell.

Rapid fire:
Morning person or night owl? Morning. The earlier the better
Summer or winter? Summer
Mountains or beach? Beach
Pancakes or waffles? Egg and cheese sandwich
Fiction or non-fiction? Non-fiction

Don’t miss Andrew’s #CMWater talk on Friday, March 15th at Bay Street Biergarten!