President Obama and actor Leonardo DiCaprio pledged today to help protect the ocean and challenged others do the same. Encourage your audience to join the fight.
This Friday, in just three days, tens of thousands beach goers and surf enthusiasts around the country will show up, paddle out, honor and give back to our ocean during Surfrider Foundation’s International Surfing Day (#ISD14).
Our nonprofit organization, which is dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of our world’s oceans, waves and beaches through a powerful activist network of more than 250,000 people, invites the public to join the fun and give back to the ocean and coastal places we love and enjoy so much!
Many of Surfrider’s 85 chapters are hosting a beach cleanup or an environmental educational project followed by a group paddle out, surf contest, yoga session, film or concert. Currently there are 140 events taking place around the world! Not near a beach or Surfrider Chapter? No worries! There are a variety of ways people can celebrate and give back. Read more at isd.surfrider.org or contact me to discuss further.
As beach goers and surf enthusiasts around the world gear up for International Surfing Day, which is just 10 days away, the Surfrider Foundation asks the public to take a minute and think about their special coastal place.
“Imagine all the memories you have at your special coastal place. Maybe it’s where you first stood up on your board, where you and your parents surfed when you were a kid, or where you got married,” says Laura Lee, the Surfrider Foundation’s Director of Marketing and Communications. “Now, imagine it gone. No longer accessible, polluted, dredged or wiped out because of poor management.”
Over the course of the last 30 years, the Surfrider Foundation has been doing extensive work to protect special coastal places—surfing spots and waves—around the world. It has been consistently addressing water pollution; coastal erosion and hazardous problems while helping local governments make better decisions.
Some of Surfrider’s biggest wave-protection victories include Trestles (Calif.), Ruggles (R.I.), Ma’alaea and Honolua Bay (Hawaii) and Tres Palmas, (P.R.). Right now, the organization is in a heated legal battle to regain public access to Martin’s Beach, a pristine surfing spot located about 20 minutes south of San Francisco, California.
“We sometimes assume our oceans are pristine, healthy and accessible and they’ll just stay that way. Sadly, that’s far from the truth. Our beaches face very real threats,” says the Surfrider Foundation’s Ambassador and Big Wave Surfer Greg Long. “We are all in this together. Let’s all make sure that the ocean we love will be protected, preserved and respected for generations to come.”
One very clear lesson Surfrider has learned over time is that if no one stands up to protect something, it will be taken away. Surfrider is in it for the long haul. Is everyone else?
This International Surfing Day, Surfrider invites the public to not only grab a board, get out and enjoy their special coastal place, but to honor it by becoming a member and entering its “My Special Place” Instagram Contest.
Special Membership Offer
Throughout June (which is also World Oceans Month), the Surfrider Foundation is raising awareness of its work on ocean and wave protection programs. To encourage support for these programs, the Foundation is offering special membership gifts, which include a limited edition t-shirt designed by professional surfer Dane Reynolds, a digital subscription to Surfing Magazine and much more. Please visit surfrider.org for more information.
“My Special Place” Instagram Contest
Surfrider’s “My Special Place” Instagram contest reminds people about the importance of preserving the world’s coastal environments no matter where they live. This is why Surfrider invites people everywhere to take a photo of their special place, whether that’s their local lake, river, ocean or other body of water or beach, and post it to their Instagram. From California to New York, Mexico to Chile, and the shores of Iceland to Australia, Surfrider wants to see entries from around the world. Participants will have three chances to win by posting their pictures to their Instagram profile Friday, June 20, through Sunday, June 22. To be considered, participants must name the location of the photo (city, state, country) and tag @Surfrider and include the hashtags #ISD14 and #MySpecialPlace.
On Tuesday, June 24 three photos will be chosen and three Instagramers will receive a prize pack that includes a Surfrider Foundation membership, Firewire surfboard, Billabong wetsuit, Spy sunglasses, Volkswagen and ZeeBerry.com gear, and more (an approximate total retail value of $1,500 USD). For the official rules and for more information, please visit: isd.surfrider.org
Participation in International Surfing Day is free. Many Surfrider chapters host a beach cleanup or an environmental project followed by a group paddle out, surf contest, yoga session, surf film or concert. With more than 140 events taking place worldwide, it’s easy to find an event. Not near a beach or Surfrider Chapter? No worries! There are a variety of ways the public can celebrate and give back, such as picking up trash and becoming a Surfrider Foundation member.
International Surfing Day is presented by Volkswagen and ZeeBerry.com.
Media partners include Surfing Magazine and Surfline.com. In-Kind sponsors include Billabong, Spy, Vans, Firewire, Hurley, Rip Curl, Quiksilver, Roxy, O’Neill, Ocean Minded, Emergen-C, Earthpack, RVCA, Sanuk, Swell, Volcom, Rusty, Fresh & Clean Media, On A Mission, Fox, SIMA and Arbor.
