Surfrider Foundation Celebrated 2014 International Surfing Day with 30,000-plus Participants Around the World
Volunteers collected 22,000 pounds of trash and raised awareness for oceans
SAN CLEMENTE, Calif., Jun. 26, 2014—The Surfrider Foundation (Surfrider.org) kicked off summer and celebrated the 10-year anniversary of International Surfing Day last Friday and throughout the weekend with more than 150 events around the world—82 in the United States—and about 30,000 people in 23 countries participating in beach cleanups, environmental projects, paddle outs, surf contests, yoga sessions, and more.
"International Surfing Day brings communities together to celebrate the great sport of surfing and other ocean activities, while increasing awareness and educating the public about the need to protect our oceans," says Tony Soriano, Surfrider Foundation’s Huntington Beach/Seal Beach Chapter Chair .
Surfrider’s 200-plus-chapter network, including high school clubs and affiliates around the world, generally host monthly beach cleanups. However, International Surfing Day is one of the Foundation’s largest events that embodies its mission to not only protect, but to enjoy the world’s oceans, waves and beaches.
“The beach is our playground and it’s our responsibility to take care of it. Plastic bottles and bags, fast food containers and cigarette butts are the most common type of trash found on our beaches,” says Laura Lee, the Surfrider Foundation’s Director of Marketing and Communications. “Thanks to this year’s participants, more than 22,000 pounds of trash were removed from our coastal environments—totaling about 80 tons since its inception 10 years ago.”
Surfrider also held a “My Special Place” Instagram contest to raise awareness for the organization’s ocean protection programs and inspire people to help protect what they love. The contest resulted in 3,000 photo entries from people who captured their special coastal place, whether that was a lake, river, beach, ocean or other body of water.
“Turnagain Arm, Alaska, is one of the most amazing and beautiful places I’ve ever been to in my life, I would never want it to be destroyed,” says Beverly Snow (@bevbugg) of Canoga Park, California, a member and volunteer of Surfrider whose picture was chosen as one of three winners of the Instagram contest.
Snow and two other winners, Heather Bautista (@hbphotograph) of Virginia Beach, Virginia, and Alex Forsyth (@al_for) of Huntington Beach, California, 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 retail value of $1,500 USD).
International Surfing Day was presented by Volkswagen and ZeeBerry.com.
Media partners included Surfing Magazine and Surfline.com. In-Kind sponsors included 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.
For a collection of International Surfing Day events and photos—memories and special coastal places—and to join Surfrider Foundation, visit isd.surfrider.org.
About Surfrider Foundation
The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of our world’s oceans, waves and beaches through a powerful activist network. Founded in 1984 by a handful of visionary surfers in Malibu, California, the Surfrider Foundation now maintains more than 250,000 supporters, activists and members worldwide. For more information on the Surfrider Foundation, visit www.surfrider.org.
About Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc., an operating unit of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VWoA) is headquartered in Herndon, Virginia. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. VWoA’s operations in the United States include research and development, parts and vehicle processing, parts distribution centers, sales, marketing and service offices, financial service centers, and its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The Volkswagen Group is one of the world's largest producers of passenger cars and Europe's largest automaker. VWoA sells the Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Eos, Golf, Golf R, GTI, Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, Passat, CC, Tiguan, and Touareg vehicles through approximately 644 independent U.S. dealers. See www.fueleconomy.gov for EPA estimates. Individual mileage will vary and depends on several factors including driving habits and vehicle condition.
About ZeeBerry.com
ZeeBerry.com is an online store selling meaningful, eco-friendly designer jewelry and is committed to earth-friendly business practices. This International Surfing Day it featured an Alex and Ani Beachcomber Set of 3 Bangles with 20% of the retail price going directly to Surfrider. ZeeBerry.com has supported Surfrider since 2012 by offering jewelry by Dogeared Jewels and Gifts, Satya Jewelry and Energy Muse with 20% of the retail prices going directly back to the Foundation. Shop all items and learn more here: www.zeeberry.com/surfrider-foundation.
Surfrider Media Contact: Katie Ferguson, 949-212-3335, kferguson@surfrider.org
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