Surfrider Foundation Celebrates 10 Years of Stoke this International Surfing Day
Honoring special coastal places, Instagram contest and membership packages announced
SAN CLEMENTE, Calif., Jun. 10, 2014—As beach goers and surf enthusiasts around the world gear up for International Surfing Day, which is just 10 days away, the Surfrider Foundation (surfrider.org) 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 coastal 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.
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. It will be featuring 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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