Press Release
June 19, 2008
For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Julie Pappas
Telephone: 727-322-2392
Email: suncoast@surfrider.org
St. Pete Beach, FL (June 19, 2008) The Suncoast Chapter Surfrider Foundation springs into action
once again – or did they ever stop?. These wave riding, beach cleaning, machines will be out on Upham
Beach this Saturday at 9 a.m. Friday designates International Surf Day; in response, the local chapter
will swarm Upham Beach in an array of sunshiny colors. Their mission: pay tribute to their beloved surf
break.
Education, Outreach, and leaving the beach a little better before they leave is the theme of the day.
Upham Beach is being held hostage by 5 large “T” formation geotextile groins. The Suncoast Chapter
wishes their hallowed ground to be set free. “Let the beach once again shift naturally”, demands Jason,
an active member. “How many police and firefighters are not being hired because of elected officials
are cutting budgets? The fact is everyone is starting to feel the pinch of the economy and who really
wants to pay more in taxes for some rocks our kids are going to end up getting hurt on?”
To date, the chapter has collected almost 1,000 signatures virtually and over 350 physically. They have
approached the Beach Stewardship Committee, St. Pete Beach City Council, and the Pinellas BOCC.
Their request: remove the (five) 5 Geotextile tube experimental project off of Upham Beach – with
promise of no future permanent structure.
About the 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. Founded in 1984 by a handful of visionary surfers
in Malibu, California, the Surfrider Foundation now maintains over 50,000 members and 80 chapters
worldwide. For more information on the Surfrider Foundation, go to www.surfrider.org.
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