Surfrider Foundation

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Surfrider Foundation
Founded 1984
Focus Environmental
Area served
International
Members
50,000+
Key people
Chad Nelsen, CEO
Revenue
$6.1 million[1]
Website surfrider.org

The Surfrider Foundation USA is a U.S. 501(c)(3) grassroots non-profit environmental organization that works to protect and preserve the world's oceans, waves, and beaches. The Surfrider Foundation largely focuses its work on such issues as water quality, beach access, beach and surf spot preservation, and sustaining marine and coastal ecosystems.

Headquartered in San Clemente, California, the Surfrider Foundation maintains a small staff, which work to support the organization's network of grassroots chapters.

The current CEO is Chad Nelsen.[2]

Mission statement

The protection and enjoyment of oceans, waves and beaches through a powerful activist network.[3]

History

The Surfrider Foundation was started in Malibu, California in 1984 by a handful of surfers to protest threats to their local surf break at Malibu Point. The organization continued on for several years as a loose advocacy group until 1991, when the first chapters were founded. At that point the Surfrider Foundation transitioned into a grassroots activist organization. Today the Surfrider Foundation maintains over 50,000 members and 80 chapters worldwide.

Programs

Surfrider Foundation volunteers and staff utilize a number of programs in their efforts to protect the coast and raise awareness of environmental issues.

  • Respect the Beach - A coastal education program to inform students
  • State of the Beach - A continuously updated report published by the Surfrider Foundation that evaluates coastal environments by a number of "Beach Health Indicators"
  • Blue Water Task Force - An all-volunteer led monitoring program that tests and reports on coastal water quality.
  • Ocean Friendly Gardens - An outreach program designed to reduce urban runoff and residential water consumption.
  • Rise Above Plastics - An educational program designed to raise awareness of and reduce the amount of plastic pollution in our marine environments.
  • Know Your H2O A program designed to educate people on the link between freshwater management issues and the impact on our oceans, waves, and beaches, that advocates for practical and environmentally sound solutions.
  • Beachapedia A wiki-based coastal information resource drawing on expertise of Surfrider Foundation experts and activists.

Events

Surfrider Oahu Chapter hosts the annual John Kelly Environmental Awards in Waimea Valley on the North Shore of Oahu every year in November to coincide with the surf season kick-off, aka the Vans Triple Crown. Awards are dedicated to those who "have helped protect and enhance our coastal community and environment". Three awards are given each year; Lifetime achievement Award, Oahu-based Organization Award and Professional Surfer Award.[4]

Chapters

There are 70 Surfrider chapters located along the US East, West, Gulf of Mexico, Hawaiian and Puerto Rico coasts.[7]

Notable members and supporters

References

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  2. http://www.surfrider.org/coastal-blog/entry/meet-surfriders-new-ceo-chad-nelsen
  3. Mission Statement
  4. Annual John Kelly Environmental Achievement Awards | Surfrider Oahu
  5. Legendary Surfers: Legendary Surfer: Mark Cunningham
  6. Duane DeSoto Wins Oxbow ASP World Longboard Championship At Makaha
  7. Surfrider Foundation - Main Chapters Page
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External links