Press Release:
Holiday draws in thousands of participants to surf and give back to our oceans
Membership drive draws 1,550 new Surfrider memberships
San Clemente, Calif. (June 21, 2010) – Sunday, surfers worldwide kicked-off summer by paddling out and giving back to our oceans, waves and beaches in celebration of the sixth annual International Surfing Day, sponsored by Vitamin Water and Earthpack.
This year, International Surfing Day events were held in over 200 locations and 26 countries worldwide, and gave surfers the opportunity to do what they do best: surf some amazing waves. In addition to paddling out, surfers and beachgoers also celebrated International Surfing Day by taking part in various environmental events hosted by the Surfrider Foundation. From beach cleanups to dune restorations and youth surf contests, surfers and other coastal enthusiasts spent the day giving back to our oceans, waves and beaches that they love and respect so much.
“This year’s International Surfing Day will go down as our largest event yet,” says Travis Ferre, Surfing Magazine’s editor-in-chief. “Sothern California kicked-off summer with sun and fun waves, we saw “the longest ISD ever” in Iceland, a 24-hour surf-a-thon and several wave zones producing incredible surf. And dad’s the world over can say they went surfing for ISD and Father’s Day.”
Highlights from the sixth annual International Surfing Day include:
– Surfrider Foundation’s Oregon chapters joined forces to host the third annual Otter Rock ‘N’ Roll Youth Surf Festival and Contest and beach cleanup.
– At the Huntington Beach Pier, the Huntington/Seal and Newport Beach Chapters partnered with Project Save Our Surf for a 24-hour surf-a-thon, beach cleanup, and to raise awareness about local coastal issues.
– Surfrider Foundation’s Connecticut Chapter kicked-off the day with horseshoe crab tagging followed by surf, stand up paddle and windsurfing lessons and ended with a beach cleanup.
– In Hunter, Australia, the local Surfrider Foundation chapter hosted a beach cleanup, art exhibition, auction and reception.
– Surfrider Foundation’s Vancouver Chapter and MEC hosted the family-friendly Paddlefest, an urban celebration of kayaking, canoeing and raising awareness about British Columbia’s ocean environment.
Since its beginnings in 2005 with only 16 domestic and one international location, International Surfing Day has gown exponentially. This year the Surfrider Foundation estimates that over 5,000 bags of trash were collected at over 200 events. In addition, more than 1,500 people joined or renewed their membership to the Surfrider Foundation on International Surfing Day.
International Surfing Day was made possible by Surfing Magazine, the Surfrider Foundation, Vitamin Water, Earthpack, Electric, Ocean Minded, Matix, DVS, O’Neill, Reef, Sector Nine, Globe, Vans, Volcom, Billabong, Quiksilver, Rip Curl, and Spy Optic.
For a complete list of events and highlights, visit www.intlsurfingday.com. For photos from International Surfing Day events, visit www.flickr.com/groups/isd2010/.
About Surfrider FoundationThe Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of our world’s oceans, waves and beaches. Founded in 1984 by a handful of visionary surfers in Malibu, California, the Surfrider Foundation now maintains over 50,000 members and 90 chapters worldwide. For more information on the Surfrider Foundation, go to www.surfrider.org.
About SURFING Founded in 1964, SURFING Magazine is the global leader in coverage of progressive surfing. SURFING is the official magazine of the National Scholastic Surfing Association and the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing. The magazine’s unique properties include International Surfing Day, Shaper of the Year, Art of Surfing, Heat, Surfing TV, and Surfing’s Annual Swimsuit Issue. The magazine is published 12 times a year by Source Interlink Media’s Action Sports Group (ASG), the dominant force in the action sports and adventure sports arenas, reaching more than 2 million active sports enthusiasts through an integrated network of magazines, online properties, events and television programming. www.surfingmagazine.com
Media Contacts:
Elishia Matta Action Sports Group Phone: (949) 370-7083 / Fax: (949) 325-6196Â Email: elishia.matta@sorc.com
Alexis Henry Surfrider Foundation Phone (949) 732-6413 / Fax (949) 492-8142 Email: ahenry@surfrider.org
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