Why did you join Surfrider?

I got involved because I love the water and I wanted to give something back.

What are your favorite Surfrider activities?

Beach cleanups and other volunteer functions. Oh yeah, and great parties!

What can you recommend to others on how to be more Ocean Friendly?

Join Surfrider and find out how you can contribute to a healthier environment.

Why should others get involved in Surfrider?

If you enjoy the water you need to protect it.

Why did you join Surfrider?

My parents taught me a deep respect for the environment for as long as I can remember.  When I started surfing it was a natural attraction to become a paid member of Surfrider.  Then when Upham was destroyed and there was no group protesting the destruction I knew I had to get involved.
What are your favorite Surfrider activities?

Hands down protests, it’s empowering to let your voice be heard.  A close second is action alerts; it feels great to write a local politician about an issue that’s important and get an actual personalized letter or email back.  I’m not sure if many people realize that sometimes it really only takes a few letters/emails/phone calls to really make a difference.
What can you recommend to others on how to be more Ocean Friendly?

If you own a home adopt Ocean Friendly Landscaping.  Surfrider has a good amount of resources to help show you how to implement changes that WILL affect the ocean. http://www.surfrider.org/ofg_cpr.asp Also on a local level IFAS has a great program that can help guide you http://fyn.ifas.ufl.edu/
Why should others get involved in Surfrider?

There are a lot of good organizations to get involved in, but the fact is if the ocean and beaches are let to go to hell the rest of the earth is screwed.  Surfrider is driven by hard working volunteers, without the volunteers the organization would not exist.

Why did you join Surfrider?

I have always been so so interested in protecting the oceans, beaches, and all that surrounds us. Nature isnt always capable of taking care of herself and it’s up to us (as Surfrider members) to step up!

What are your favorite Surfrider activities?

I always enjoy beach cleanups – so much progress is made in one day and it’s amazing to see your hard work payoff. However, I would gladly give up cleaning the beach in exchange for people picking up after themselves! Oh – I also love when creativity takes over and we bring new/fantastic/fun ideas to the table!

What can you recommend to others on how to be more Ocean Friendly?

Clean up after yourself! Carry an extra reusable bag and pick up trash when you see it – when walking out to the beach for example. Oh, and if you havent already, sign our plastic wave and pledge to reduce your dependency on single-use plastics! Trade in your plastic bags and water bottles for reusable ones.

Why should others get involved in Surfrider?

I 100% recommend getting involved so that you can check out what Surfrider has to offer. There’s something for everyone and new ideas are always welcome!

Ron Henkel selected Volunteer of the Month June 2010

Why did you join Surfrider?

I joined Surfrider Foundation so I could become more involved with improving the beaches in my hometown and my neighboring communities.  There were just too many unchecked developments and activities.  As an individual I felt powerless, but as an avid surfer and beach lover I wanted to join a group that would help to support the beach community when needed.  I did not feel like I was making a difference as an individual.

What are your favorite Surfrider activities?

My favorite Surfrider activities include the meetings (believe it or not), educating the public, beach cleanups, and last but not least, movie festivals!

What can you recommend to others on how to be more Ocean Friendly?

Being more ocean friendly is about choices. I try to do the little things daily.  For example, recycling is an easy first step and reusing goes widely unpublicized but just using a reusable coffee mug is a great first start. Finally, every time I am at the beach I make a point to pick up some trash.

Why should others get involved in Surfrider?

People should get involved with Surfrider Foundation because it truly is the right thing to do.  If you love the beach, why not join an organization whose sole purpose is to protect the beach environment.  I believe we all have a responsibility to ensure that all generations have a safe, clean environment to enjoy.

Julie Selected for Volunteer of the March 2010

Why did you join Surfrider?

I’m a life long water baby. Growing up on the Gulf Coast, I’ve seen first hand the way the population changed over the last 40 years and the impact those changes have on our coasts. When I learned through Gulf Surf Forum that a Surfrider Chapter was to start up here, I jumped at the chance to become a member and join up with like minded folks to keep our special coasts healthy.

What are your favorite Surfrider activities?

My favorite activities are outreach events where we have the free opportunity to educate the public about Surfrider Foundation. For a healthy chapter to thrive its important to bring in new faces and fresh ideas.

What can you recommend to others on how to be more Ocean Friendly?

The simplest thing anyone, of any age, can do is have zero impact on the environment. When you visit the beaches and waterways leave it cleaner than you found it.  Pick up the trash you see as you walk the coasts or surf the waves. Please leave the sealife where you find it, like don’t dig up sand dollars and bring them to shore, don’t harass manatees, dolphins, turtles and don’t feed the seabirds.

Why should others get involved in Surfrider?

Surfrider Foundation is a well structured, ocean friendly organization. The  Foundation is tens of thousands of members strong world wide. We are a young at heart population, active and healthy. We have fun while being serious advocates for earth’s water environments. Join Surfrider Foundation and know that you’ve joined the best.