history.surfrider.orgSurfrider’s History of Coastal Protection

Timeline 1984 1985-1995 1996-2005 2006-Present Timeline 1984 1985-1995 1996-2005 2006-Present 38 Years of Coastal Protection 1984: The Surfrider Foundation is Born 1985-1995: Evolution of the Chapter Network 1996-2005: Impact and Awareness 2006-Present: Living and Growing in a Digital Age 38 Years of Coastal Protection Scroll down to learn more about the history of the Surfrider Foundation, a grassroots nonprofit environmental organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s ocean, waves and beaches, for all people. SCROLL DOWN 38 Years of Coastal Protection Scroll down to learn more about the history of the Surfrider Foundation, a grassroots nonprofit environmental organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s ocean, waves and beaches, for all people. Constant Pressure, Endlessly Applied Thirty eight years ago a group of surfers from Malibu, California, were concerned about the health risks associated with environmental threats posed by escalating coastal development at their favorite surf spot. They took action. Not even they could have envisioned the history they were making when they succeeded in protecting their beloved surf spot. Since its inception in 1984, the Surfrider Foundation has evolved into one of the largest non-profit grassroots organizations with a volunteer-activist network dedicated to its mission to protect and enjoy the world's oceans, waves and beaches. Today, the Surfrider Foundation is measurably stronger, with more force and movement than ever before. It has 8 0 chapters , including 96 student clubs , and more than 1 million supporters, volunteers and activists fighting over 100 active campaigns around the country. Armed with a model to defend the coast, the organization has a record of 600 victories since 2006. Filled with times of uncertainty, it hasn’t been easy. The Surfrider Foundation’s long-term success and growth is a tribute to its founders vision, that taking on an environmental battle may not be easy, but with constant pressure, endlessly applied, it can be won. And the key to this is what makes the organization unique... the people. Highlights during the last 38 years. 1984: The Surfrider Foundation is Born 1984: The Surfrider Foundation is Born View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize The Surfrider Foundation was founded by Glenn Hening, Lance Carson, Tom Pratte, Chris Blakely and a group of surfers who were concerned about the environmental threats posed by escalating coastal development at their favorite surf break, Surfrider Beach in Malibu, California. Relentless, the group addressed the issues and presented solutions to California State Park officials at a public hearing in 1984. They won. And, little by little, they started chalking up successes and fighting battles that continue today. ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION // CLICK TO VIEW FULL DOCUMENT August 22, 1984 The Articles of Incorporation were filed with the State of California, signed by Glenn Hening as President. Why the name "Surfrider"? Although it seems its obvious, Glenn Hening actually coined it Surfrider” after the Surfrider Inn in Santa Monica, California. It was the hotel Hening stayed at when he was eight-years-old and first visited the west coast with his family. 1985-1995: Evolution of the Chapter Network 1985-1995: Evolution of the Chapter Network View fullsize 1985 The Surfrider Foundation convinced the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors to lift a no-surfing ordinance at the Santa Maria Rivermouth in Santa Barbara County, California . + A federal court ruled in favor of the Surfrider Foundation when the U.S. Army Corps lost its battle over a proposed breakwater a Imperial Beach, San Diego, California. + Making Waves, the Surfrider Foundation's print newsletter, was created to provide members with organizational news, events, current coastal issues and scientific reports through contributions from staff, activists and volunteers. It was first published in the spring of 1985. 1987 The organization gained public beach access to South Cardiff State Beach (aka Seaside Reef) in San Diego, California, when the California State Parks Department installed the first ever electronic gate that automatically opened at dawn. View fullsize 1989 The Surfrider Foundation, in a landmark decision, stopped the development of a marina (an ocean entrance and a mile-long breakwater) at Bolsa Chica State Beach in Huntington Beach, California. 1990 The Blue Water Task Force (BWTF) , a volunteer-run, water testing, educational and advocacy program, was launched. Surfrider Chapters use the BWTF to provide valuable public health information to beach goers, creating public awareness and the political will to find and fix sources of beach pollution along the nation's coasts. It's the organization's most successful program to date. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize 1991 In the early 90's the Surfrider Foundation worked hard to support the implementation of new environmental laws, including the reauthorization of the Clean Water Act (which was enacted in 1972), to help prevent or curb the growing devastation of the nation's rivers, lakes, and coastal waters. + The Surfrider Foundation won the second largest Clean Water Act lawsuit in the United States history against two pulp mills in Humboldt County, California. As a result of this suit , one of these mills, the Louisiana Pacific mill, became the only pulp mill in North America to begin producing totally chlorine-free paper. View fullsize 1992 View fullsize As the U.S. coasts continued to be threatened by dirty water, irresponsible coastal development, the loss of beach access and destruction of its ecosystems, the need for coastal preservation grew. The Surfrider Foundation's global headquarters staff in San Clemente, California, received more requests for help than they were able to process. Thus the Surfrider chapter network was established, with the first chapters chartered in Orange County and San Diego County, California. View fullsize + The Surfrider Foundation started to expand worldwide with affiliates in Europe (1990), Australia (1990), Japan (1993) and Brazil (1993). 1993 The San Diego Surfrider Chapter in San Diego, California, succeeded in getting a fine of $830,000 levied against the City of San Diego for violations in sewage outflows at Penasquitos Lagoon. + The California Coastal Commission made a landmark decision in Surfrider Foundation's and surfing's favor regarding the restoration of surfing spots lost due to the building of a coastal structure by Chevron Oil Company in El Segundo, California. View fullsize View fullsize 1994 The New Jersey Surfrider Chapter fought and won beach access for surfers at the Jersey Shore along the borough of Deal , just north of Asbury Park. This lawsuit sent a signal to other New Jersey towns not to be restrictive of surfer's rights to access. 1995 The Surfrider Foundation's website launched, and several Surfrider Chapters started websites. + The Surfrider Foundation and the Long Beach/North Orange County Surfrider Chapter saved 930 acres of coastal wetlands at Bolsa Chica in Huntington Beach, California. + The Surfrider Foundation settled a lawsuit with the City of Honolulu , Hawaii:. The city was penalized for over 13,000 Clean Water Act violations at Kailua Bay, Hawaii. + Despite some significant campaign wins, the Surfrider Foundation was struggling to make ends meet. Pearl Jam, an American rock band, donated $50,000 to the Foundation from two of their San Diego shows. The donation not only allowed Surfrider to remain open, it enabled the Foundation to expand its chapter network, catapulting it even further into an activist-driven grassroots organization. Total # of Surfrider Chapters: 28 1996-2005: Impact and Awareness 1996-2005: Impact and Awareness 1996 MOM: Music for Our Mother Ocean Series. The Surfrider Foundation partnered with Surfdog Records to create a benefit album Music for our Mother Ocean...