A little over 25 years ago a group of surfers in Malibu, California found out that their favorite wave was about to be destroyed. Think about that for a second. Think about something you love. Something that gives you enjoyment. Taken away.

This wave is known as First Point and this quintessential perfect California wave was about to be destroyed. Those surfers organized and worked with the local municipalities until they were satisfied that their efforts to preserve this iconic wave would be successful.

This was the genesis of Surfrider Foundation.

Today, we are doing this same thing in over 15 countries around the world.

Our mission is the protection and enjoyment of oceans, waves and beaches through a powerful activist network.

You can think about that as three concepts. “Protection and enjoyment”, we don’t want to put a velvet rope around a beach and tell people to keep off. We are surfers, we are beach goers, we are watermen and women, but perhaps most of all we enjoy the coasts. We’re a user group. Next up is “oceans, waves and beaches.” Think coastlines, we are engaged with environmental issues that affect our coastlines. “Powerful activist network” speaks to how we go about this mission. We are a grassroots organization. We are local in many coastal regions throughout the world.

We are parents, we are surfers, we are youth…we are you. We are engaged and focused on protecting that which we love; our oceans, waves and beaches.