Hang with Jack Johnson in Costa Rica

Founded in 1984 by a group of visionary surfers that were concerned about health risks caused by urban runoff, the Surfrider Foundation has grown to be one of the most highly effective grassroots environmental organizations. We are dedicated to the protection and preservation of the world's oceans, waves and beaches, for all people, through conservation, activism, research and education. While Surfrider engages in many activities and programs, our strengths lie in our powerful activist network and the ability to support this work. We foster citizen involvement with dedicated members volunteering their time and talents to protect our oceans, waves and beaches through civic engagement, focused campaign, program and educational initiatives in their communities.

Today, the Surfrider Foundation is measurably stronger, with more force and movement than ever before. We have 82 chapters, 90 high school and college clubs, and more than 500,000 supporters, volunteers and activists fighting around the country. Armed with a model to defend the coast, we have achieved over 500 victories since 2006. The Surfrider Foundation’s long-term success and growth is a tribute to our founders’ beliefs that taking on an environmental battle may not be easy, but with constant pressure, endlessly applied, it can be won.

Surfrider’s vision is to keep our beaches open to everyone, promote smart coastal development that avoids coastal impacts, protect special ocean and coastal places before they are threatened, ensure the water is clean to surf and swim and the oceans are free of plastic.