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Surfrider Foundation

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Surfrider Foundation
Founded1984[1]
FounderGlenn Hening, Chris Blakely, Lance Carson, and Tom Pratt[1]
TypeSocial welfare organization
95-3941826
Legal status501(c)(3) organization
FocusEnvironmental
Headquarters942 Calle Negocio, Suite 350
Location
Area served
International
Key people
Chad Nelsen, CEO
Revenue$12,434,931[2] (2022)
Expenses$11,651,732[2] (2022)
Employees83 (2022) [3]
Volunteers~100,000 (2022) [3]
Websitewww.surfrider.org

The Surfrider Foundation is a U.S. 501(c)(3) non-profit environmental organization that works to protect and preserve the world's oceans, waves and beaches.[4] It focuses on plastic reduction, 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 200+ grassroots volunteer-led chapters and student clubs.[5] The current CEO is Chad Nelsen.[1]

History

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Representatives with Congressman Jimmy Panetta in 2020.

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.

Activism

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The foundation was a key plaintiff in the battle to open Martin's Beach in San Mateo County, California.[6] The case resolved in 2018, when the United States Supreme Court rejected Vinod Khosla's appeal. [7]

Starting in 2005, The Surfrider Foundation was one of several environmental organizations that led efforts to prevent a 6-lane toll road that would have cut through San Onofre State Beach, the Donna O'Neil Land Conservancy, sacred sites of the Acjachemen and endanger San Mateo Creek Watershed. On September 25, 2020, California governor Gavin Newsom signed AB1426 prohibiting the development of any roadway(s) that might impact or encroach upon the state beach, ending the decades long battle.[8][better source needed]

Advocacy against housing and rail

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In 2024, Surfrider opposed legislation that would reduce the ability of the California Coastal Commission to block housing in already urbanized parts of the coastal zone.[9]

In 2024, Surfrider called for the closure of the Pacific Surfliner rail that runs adjacent to the San Clemente shoreline.[10] Surfrider said that the rail service had an adverse environmental impact and should be subjected to a full environmental impact study.[10]

Notable members and supporters

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Surfrider Foundation launches new logo to celebrate 500 coastal victories". Surfertoday (Press release). August 23, 2018. Retrieved August 21, 2019.
  2. ^ a b "The Surfrider Foundation" (PDF). Foundation Center. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
  3. ^ a b "The Surfrider Foundation" (PDF). Foundation Center. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  4. ^ Shattenkirk, Keith. "Surfrider Foundation: California Ocean Plastic Pollution Campaign". The Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation. Retrieved August 21, 2019.
  5. ^ "2022 Annual Report" (PDF). Retrieved August 3, 2024.
  6. ^ Fimrite, Peter (June 22, 2014). "Surfers sue over blocked beach access". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved July 27, 2014.
  7. ^ Xia, Rosanna (October 1, 2018). "U.S. Supreme Court declines to take Martins Beach case — a win for California's landmark coastal access law". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
  8. ^ "Trestles Has Been Saved (For Good, This Time)". Surfer. 2020.
  9. ^ "San Francisco becomes testing ground for battle over California coastal protections". San Francisco Chronicle. 2024.
  10. ^ a b Hicks, Angelina (July 31, 2024). "Environmental Groups Say Saving Train Tracks Harms San Clemente's Beaches". Voice of OC.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g "Advisory Board". The Surfrider Foundation web site. The Surfrider Foundation. Retrieved January 27, 2009.
  12. ^ "Musician, Producer and Scuba Diver: Blink-182's bassist Mark Hoppus tells us about his connection to our ocean". Making Waves: 9–10. February 2010.
  13. ^ "CELEBRITIES SURF FIRST POINT AT THE SURFRIDER FOUNDATION'S 6TH ANNUAL CELEBRITY EXPRESSION SESSION". surfrider.org. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  14. ^ "5 Questions with Tristan Prettyman". Making Waves. 29 (1). Surfrider Foundation: 28–29. February 2013.
  15. ^ "Shaun Tomson". surfrider.org. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
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