The Surf Industry Members Association will launch its annual #SurfCleanOceans campaign, a fundraiser to leverage e-commerce and/or brick-and-mortar sales to benefit the SIMA Environmental Fund’s beneficiaries.
The campaign runs this Friday, Saturday and Sunday and aligns with International Surfing Day.
Participating brands and retailers have pledged to donate a portion of their online and/or store sales to the cause. The campaign is open to all industry brands and retailers – you don’t have to be a SIMA member – and there is still time to join in. SIMA has assets to send any businesses that want to participate so they can market the campaign on their social accounts and websites.
“It’s as much about creating awareness as fundraising,” said Paul Naude, SIMA President and Vissla CEO. “The SIMA Environmental Fund beneficiaries rely on our collective support to protect our oceans for surfers and those looking to enjoy our coastlines.”
Participating brands to date include:
- Aipa Surf
- Amuse Society
- Coastal Edge
- Creatures of Leisure
- Eidon Swimwear
- Harbour Surfboards
- O’Neill
- OTIS Eyewear
- Rip Curl
- Roark
- Sisstr
- sito shades
- SKYE Swimwear
- Spyder Surf Shop
- Sun Diego Board Shops
- Vissla
“It is our duty as watermen that we must all play a part in the recovery of the sea,” said Robert Howson, Owner of Harbour Surfboards retail. “We must pool our collective resources for the betterment of our oceans – it’s our solemn responsibility.”
The #SurfCleanOceans campaign also serves as the kick-off to the annual Waterman’s Gala on August 13 at The Ranch in Laguna Beach. Since 1989, Waterman’s Gala has raised more than $9 million for environmental groups.
This year’s honorees include:
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Michael Tomson
- Waterman of the Year: Italo Ferreira
- Environmentalists of Year: Anne Earhart and Beto Bedolfe
“The surf industry has benefited immensely from the work of our environmental beneficiaries to protect our ocean for recreation and tourism,” said Vipe Desai, Executive Director of Surf Industry Members Association. “As threats to our ocean increase, we have to step up, and that’s exactly why this campaign is an open call to all businesses in the surf industry.”
“Our business wouldn’t exist without having the ocean as our playground,” said Dave Nash, Owner of Sun Diego Board Shops. “#SurfCleanOceans is a great start in the right direction, and we’re happy to help in any way we can.”
To pledge your donation and be added to the list, contact Melinda Simpson at melinda@surfindustry.org.
