The power of Surfrider’s activist network didn’t go unnoticed this month. Surfrider’s multi-tiered approach to advocacy—at the local, state, and federal level—is essential when it comes to protecting our ocean, waves, and beaches for all people.
Photo credit: David Braun
California Ocean Day
This year marked the 20th anniversary of California Ocean Day. What began with a handful of concerned ocean advocates visiting the state capitol has grown into a powerful day of statewide action. On May 6th, we joined around 200 students, community leaders, and ocean lovers in Sacramento to speak directly with legislators about critical bills that protect our coast and ocean—for everyone.
Our key priorities included:
Protecting our ocean, coast, and marine habitats
- Stop Offshore Oil Drilling (Support AB 1448)
- Strengthen and Expand Marine Protected Areas
- Protect Marine Wildlife from Becoming Bycatch (Support AB 1056)
- Protect the California Coastal Act & Support the Coastal Commission
- Defend Budget
- Clean up Tijuana River Valley (Support SB 10)
- Right to Clean Water Act (Support SB 601)
- Ban Disposable Vapes in CA (Support AB 762)
- Ban Microplastics in Cleaning Products to Reduce Microbeads (Support AB 823)
- Implementation of SB 54 (Allen) the Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act
The day kicked off in a large briefing room, where each regional delegation met in person—often for the first time! Californians from all walks of life came together to game plan strategy, assign speaking roles, go over key talking points, and get ready to hit the halls of the Capitol. Most teams connect virtually ahead of time and select the bills they’ll focus on. After one rehearsal (if you're lucky!), it’s off to the first legislative meeting.
Photo credit: David Braun
Throughout the day, participants could join events like a press conference, a “Beach Party” lunch on the lawn with inspiring speakers, and panels focused on ocean access. After a final round of meetings, attendees gathered at the California Museum for an evening reception.
If your feet weren’t sore by the end of all that walking and standing, you could enjoy some final networking and heartfelt goodbyes before heading home.
From the San Diego Chapter, we had a fantastic crew representing our coast:
From L to R: Julia and Addie (Scripps Institute of Oceanography Surfrider Student Club), Bethany (Clean Border Water Now Volunteer Lead), AnaLeesia (OFR Co-Lead and Ocean Beach Cleanup Captain), Sarah (Clean Border Water Now Campaign Manager), Joana (Chapter Manager), Gabriel (Beach Cleanup Coordinator). Back: Mitch (SD Policy Manager)
And if you filled out a postcard at one of the 14 stops on the Love Your Beach Tour with the Surfrider CA team—your postcard got delivered!
We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who made this day a success, and proud to celebrate 20 years of Ocean Day. California’s 1,100-mile coastline is a treasure—and it takes all of us to protect it.
The California Ocean Day Steering Committee includes: Environment California, CALPIRG Students, Azul, Coare, Monterey Bay Aquarium, COAST, and the Surfrider Foundation.
Coastal Recreation Hill Day
Unlike California Ocean Day, Hill Day is led solely by the Surfrider Foundation and brings our national network to the halls of Congress in our nation’s capital —well, virtually.
This year,177 Surfrider activists participated in over 120 meetings across 28 states and territories, meeting with our nation’s federal leaders to achieve one goal: a clean ocean and healthy beaches for ALL.
Our key priorities included:
Protect Clean Water and Public Health - TAKE ACTION!
We urged Congress to reauthorize and fund the BEACH Act, an EPA program that supports critical water quality monitoring programs to coastal regions nationwide, including San Diego County. We also called upon our representatives to keep fighting for solutions to the Tijuana River pollution crisis, which is ravaging our South Bay coastline and communities.
Ensure Healthy Communities and Economies in the Coastal Zone - TAKE ACTION!
We urged our reps to fully fund NOAA, the federal agency responsible for managing and researching our ocean, coasts, and climate. We also asked them to oppose efforts to weaken the Coastal Zone Management Act, a foundational 1972 law that helps states protect their coastal resources. Prevent New Offshore Oil Drilling - TAKE ACTION!
We called upon Congress to protect our coasts, marine wildlife, and coastal economies from new offshore drilling. Almost ⅔ of Americans oppose offshore drilling, along with thousands of elected officials, businesses, and fishing families. Congress must prevent new oil and gas development in all U.S. waters. 
From the San Diego Chapter, again, we had a fantastic crew advocating for our coast:
- Bethany Case- Clean Border Water Now Volunteer Lead
- Sarah Davidson - Clean Border Water Now Campaign Manager
- Mitch Siverstein - San Diego Policy Manager
- Eric Leach - N. Ponto Beach Cleanup Captain
- JP Bruner - Executive Committee Member
- Katharine Callahan - Executive Committee Member
- Annie Hafer - Downtown Cleanup Captain
Since Hill Day takes place virtually, teams have a bit more time to prepare and coordinate beforehand—but finding a meeting time that works for everyone across time zones is always a challenge! Thanks to our dedicated Hill Day Captain, Mitch Silverstein, we were able to ensure that everyone from San Diego had the chance to participate and be heard.
For all people.
Whether it’s in the state capitol or through a Zoom screen with federal representatives, Surfrider’s network continues to show up and speak out for the ocean. These moments of collective advocacy are powerful reminders that our voices—when united—can move policy and protect what we love.
From Sacramento to Washington, D.C., we're incredibly proud of the volunteers, students, staff, and partners who took the time to prepare, share their stories, and advocate for a healthier ocean and more just future.
It takes all of us—scientists, surfers, students, cleanup captains, and coastal community members—to make change. And we’re just getting started.
Want to get involved? Join us at an upcoming event! Learn more about Surfrider Foundation San Diego County Chapter here.