By Thomas Paterek

Saturday August 21^th, The Surfrider Foundation Suncoast Chapter teamed up with Jack Johnson’s “All At Once” organization to put on an all day promotional event cleaning up the beaches, and giving away some great prizes. Prizes included a weekend stay at the Post Card Inn, a pro skimboard donated by Wave Zone Skimboards, 2 sets of Jack Johnson tickets, an autographed memorabilia set signed by Jack Johnson himself, and case of Celsius Energy Drinks. The winner of the most trash collected for the beach cleanup was given a great prize package from sponsor Ocean Rebel.  The focus of the day was to engage in a membership drive while spreading the awareness for the reduction of single use plastics. This event was the most successful membership drive in the chapter’s history, bringing 20 new and excited members aboard while raising over $600 on the day. These proceeds will be matched by Jack Johnson’s “All At Once” organization.

Special thanks to all who helped lend a hand to make this event such a success, especially Suncoast’s intern Austin Piazza. Austin not only promoted this event to the masses, he also oversaw the entire day and weeks leading up. This event wouldn’t have been as prosperous without him. As to the day of the Jack Johnson concert (Aug 25^th), the Suncoast Chapter will have a booth in the “Global Village” where they will be displaying their massive plastic wave made out of over1,000 recycled plastic bottles. Make sure you stop by and say Hi!

By Ron Henkel

Texas Hold’Em for clean water!!  Who would have thought? Many people stepped up to make this event happen. Thanks to all those that volunteered and or sponsored our event!! Special thanks go out to Ferg’s Sports Bar, Elite Poker Challenge, The Postcard Inn and Starbucks for sponsoring our event.

The Suncoast Surfrider Foundation, Ferg’s Sports Bar, The Postcard Inn, Elite Poker Challenge and many volunteers put on our second poker tournament in chapter history to raise funds for water test kits, and to help out other charities that are specializing in helping marine animals recover from the oil spill.  We came up big on the fun factor!  Also raising over $500 dollars on the day and plan on using this event as a spring board to introducing new groups to our foundation.  We had nearly 30 people attend the “Texas Hold”Em Event and more than half have never heard of Surfrider Foundation.

In the past, people thought that you had to be a surfer to be in Surfrider Foundation, but we are now adding clarity and reducing the turbulence on this thought process!  Our foundation is one of only a handful that’s main focus is on the beach environment and access.  Bottom line is that if you love water, you should join Suncoast Surfrider Foundation!

Results

1^st Place- Weekend for two at, The Postcard Inn, and dinner for two

Dave Register

2^nd Place- Nautical Trophy and $25 Dollar Gift Card

David Hendley

3^rd Place- $25 Dollar Ferg’s Gift Certificate

- Starbucks Gift Bag

T. J. Walsh

4^Th Place- $25 Dollar Ferg’s Gift Certificate

Martin Haas

5^th Place- $25 Dollar Ferg’s Gift Certificate.

Victoria Spera

6^th Place- Sport Shirt

Andrea Rosenberg

7^th Place- Sport Shirt

Jeff Bradshaw

8^th Place- Sport Shirt

Dennis Alimanuvio

Suncoast Surfrider Foundation Makes Waves

By Victoria Spera

The Suncoast Surfrider Foundation hit the beaches this past weekend to partake in an early morning beach cleanup at Archibald Park on Madeira beach. Fifteen members participated in the cleanup following a morning caffeine boost donated by Starbucks. The cleanup was motivated by the Rise Above Plastics Campaign. With the large concern for plastic use, the event itself was plastic-free; cloth bags were used to hold the trash and reusable water bottles and coffee mugs were also used throughout the event. Ending the cleanup was a raffle for two Ray’s tickets.

Following the cleanup was the construction of our 7 foot tall plastic wave. Twenty members gathered sorting plastic water bottles, sawing PVC pipes and talking waves. The chapter provided volunteers with an assortment of food, water and music to keep the momentum going. After four hours and 500 plastic bottles, our wave was constructed. Congratulations to Tammi for winning the Jack Johnson ticket raffle!

The concept of the wave was a product of passion, creativity and commitment to the Surfrider Foundation. The goal of the RAP campaign is to instill in others the same passion and creativity in hopes that the community can join together to protect our beaches and oceans by limiting their consumption of single use plastics. The wave represents each individual pledge to rise above plastic use. Collectively, everyone’s written pledge will be on a piece of blue paper, which will transform a clear, dull plastic wave into a vibrant blue wave. The message here is that each individual can make a difference; even on a larger scale.

Jessica’s write up in Creative Loafing can be seen here.