Summer’s here, although you might not know it along the coast from Ventura County to the north with a steady dose of no-sky-July and cooler temps. Nonetheless, Surfrider chapters have been hot! Here’s a look at some of the ways we have been making an impact.
July 5th is the dirtiest beach day and Surfrider chapters across the country were out hosting beach cleanups. From the border to the bay and beyond, California chapters stepped up to keep their coastal communities clean. This year, 1,246 volunteers showed up in force for 18 cleanups across the state to remove 3,323 pounds of trash from our beloved beaches. Click here to read how chapters turned post-holiday pollution into a powerful moment of community action and coastal stewardship.
The LA Chapter One Watershed program continues to share the stoke with kids from across LA and their July session was an extra special one. One Watershed brings youth and families from inland communities to the beach for hands-on environmental education and beginner surf instruction. It’s not just about learning to ride waves; it’s about building confidence, creating connection, and deepening a sense of belonging in coastal spaces where too many have felt excluded for too long.
This summer, One Watershed carried even deeper emotional weight. It began with a phone call from Stephanie Mayer, a mother navigating unthinkable loss after the passing of her son, Cooper, a surfer, mentor, and force in and out of the water. Cooper had volunteered with Surfrider and taught with AquaSurf, inspiring young people and showing them what was possible on a surfboard and beyond.Thanks to the generosity of the Mayer family, in honor of Cooper, this summer’s One Watershed events have been able to grow in scope and heart. Click here to read more and click here to watch a feature on Spectrum News.
The San Diego Chapter joined a coalition opposing the City's barriers on nonprofit groups that provide ocean safety and surf programs to underserved communities. Despite state law guaranteeing these organizations fair access, City staff asked the City Council to exempt San Diego from following the law. Thanks to strong community turnout, the Council rejected the resolution and voted to allow more time for a solution that addresses both safety concerns and nonprofits' coastal access rights.
Also in San Diego…. The SD Chapter submitted LOSSAN EIR scoping comments to SANDAG and the chapter sent out an action alert & IG post asking our network to submit comments to move the train off the eroding bluffs. We moved a step closer to ending transboundary pollution of the Tijuana River Valley as the US & Mexico Commit to Expediting Solutions to Tijuana River Sewage Crisis.
The San Mateo County Chapter supported Ayudando Latinos A Soñar surf classes by working with Ocean Friendly Restaurants, Half Moon Bay Brewing Company and San Benito House Deli, to provide lunch to hungry young surfers! The free 3 day surf camp is a collaboration between ALAS (Ayudando Latinos A Soñar), City Surf Project, Surfrider Ocean Friendly Restaurants (Half Moon Bay Brewing Company and San Benito House Deli), and Surfrider San Mateo that has been taking place annually since 2021.
Quick Bits: North OC Chapter volunteers removed 1,865 lbs of debris from their Adopt-a-Channel site in the Santa Ana River! The Long Beach Chapter replaced 6400 sq ft of grass lawn with rainwater retention features, over 500 native plants and trees, and water-efficient irrigation this year. The Ventura County Chapter hosted their second dune restoration event in Port Hueneme and removed over 1000 pounds of invasive plants in July alone. The Santa Barbara Chapter is encouraging people to call on Gov. Newsom and the Director of CA State Parks to require environmental review before authorizing a new easement for the offshore oil pipeline through Santa Barbara County. The LA Chapter hosted their first beach cleanup at fire-impacted Topanga with a blessing by Tataviam Tribe reps and support from RCDSMM. (Featured photo at the top of the blog)