The Surfrider Foundation

Surfer Stories: An Unrivaled Collection of Unique, Revealing, and Intimate Stories About Twelve of the World’s Greatest Surfers. 🌊✨ From the monstrous walls of water at Teahupo’o, to the reef-scraping barrels of Pipeline, to the endless peeling break of Jeffreys Bay, legendary surfers have made their mark on surf history, distinguished by their unique approach and artistry displayed while riding the world’s most exalted waves, as well as living life itself. Each surfer’s story is told by a different writer—fellow surfers, famed authors, musicians, and surf journalists—who also share a passion for surfing. Surfer Stories offers an insightful perspective on the life of each surfer, both in and out of the water, as could only be told by the writer with whom they are paired: Shaun Tomson on Kelly Slater; Selema Masakela on Michael February; Karen Renaldi on Rell Sunn; Chris Shiflett on Tom Curren; Jamie Brisick on Derek Hynd… and more. Claudia Lebenthal, the editor of Surfer Stories, is a lifelong surfer and lover of the ocean. She invited Surfrider Foundation CEO Dr. Chad Nelsen (@chadenelsen) to pen the book’s afterward, and Surfrider is honored to be the nonprofit beneficiary of Surfer Stories, published by Regalo Press. Preorder now at: https://lnkd.in/gMcQadxh Photo 1: Gerry Lopez by Jeff Divine, Photo 2: Michael February by James Wilson, Photo 3: Keala Kennelly by Richard Hallman, Photo 4: Rell Sun by Jeff Divine, Photo 5: Tom Curren by Jimmy Metyko, Photo 6: Garrett McNamara by Ian O'Roarty #SurferStories

Hurricane Milton has moved beyond the Florida peninsula, and now residents, as well as state and local officials, are only beginning to assess the loss of human life and damages wrought by this major hurricane. The impacts include at least 19 confirmed tornadoes from Wednesday night into Thursday morning. Although the storm did not make landfall with the storm surge predicted or impacts that were initially anticipated, Hurricane Milton’s intensification over the Gulf of Mexico this past week demonstrates the dangers of the new abnormal for tropical systems fueled by climate change. The affected areas stretch from Gulf Coast beaches across most of the state, with more than 3.5 million people still without power today. Our thoughts are with our affected Florida chapters and residents throughout the state as they begin the slow recovery process. We will share more information about the hurricane, including resources on how you can directly support those affected in the coming days. Photo Credit: Photos 1-2 by Tampa Police Department, Photos 3-5 by Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office

Building Coastal Resilience in the Rockaways 🌾🌊 The Surfrider Foundation partnered with RISE Rockaway in honor of New York Climate Week to install native plant species and restore coastal dunes at Rockaway Beach in New York. Dune restoration directly contributes to climate action by strengthening coastal resilience against sea-level rise, storm surge, and erosion — protecting coastal communities and habitats while sequestering carbon and enhancing biodiversity. Want to learn more about how to work with nature to protect your coastal community? Join Surfrider and become a volunteer today! https://hubs.la/Q02RH8bC0 Video Credit: Alex Markow

Soaring through the skies for a greener tomorrow! 🌱🌊 You can count on Surfrider Puerto Rico to get creative when fighting climate change with nature. To plant mangroves in hard-to-access areas, they took to the sky for aerial seeding. Mangroves are incredible ecosystems that absorb greenhouse gasses, act as barriers to coastal erosion, and provide habitat for wildlife. Want to join the fun and make a difference in your community? Join Surfrider and become a volunteer today. https://hubs.la/Q02RH8bC0 🎥: @mecanicodepacotilla

We hope all our chapters, friends, and family along Florida’s Gulf Coast remain safe as Category 5 Hurricane Milton approaches the state of Florida. Damaging hurricane winds and storm surge will be impacting the west coast of the Florida Peninsula, and residents in that area should follow the advice of local officials and evacuate if ordered to do so. This is a dire situation: If the peak surge coincides with high tide, the National Hurricane Center forecasts storm surge to be 8 to 12 feet above ground level along the western Florida Gulf Coast, including the Tampa Bay/Sarasota area. Strong coastal erosion is expected along northeast Florida once the storm moves into the Atlantic. Heavy rains and higher than average tides not associated with Milton are affecting Florida now, so the ground will be saturated by the time Milton makes landfall — further increasing the likelihood of flooding. We encourage everyone to prioritize safety and take necessary precautions, even if your location is outside the forecasted cone. Here are a few important reminders: ➤ Stay Informed: Monitor local news and weather updates for the latest information on the hurricane’s path and intensity. ➤ Emergency Preparedness: Ensure you have supplies like water, non-perishable food, medications, and a first-aid kit ready. ➤ Evacuation Plans: If instructed to evacuate, please do so as soon as possible. Have a plan in place for where you will go and how you will get there. ➤ Check on Neighbors: If you are safe, check in on friends, family, and neighbors, especially those who may need extra assistance before and after the storm. ➤ Protect Your Property: Secure outdoor items and follow guidelines from local emergency management. Visit the link below for the latest updates and more hurricane resources: https://lnkd.in/eMUYhBez  Photo Credit: CIRA/NOAA 

Hurricane Helene is a testament to the dangers posed by the new normal of climate change-fueled hurricanes and storm events. While we have witnessed countless hurricanes and storm events over the years, Hurricane Helene’s unimaginable impacts extend far beyond our beaches and coastal areas into inland communities like the mountains of western North Carolina, which have not experienced storm events of this magnitude, nor prepared for them, in over 100 years — if ever. As some rural communities in the Big Bend region of Florida saw a 15-foot storm surge and near total destruction as Helene made landfall, so too did small mountain towns like Swannanoa, Black Mountain, and Marshall, North Carolina. Rivers and local waterways swelled, infrastructure collapsed, communication was cut off, and entire communities were swept away by the storm. The impacts on affected communities and the magnitude of loss are unfathomable, as many are still working to locate loved ones and obtain basic needs like water, food, and shelter. Climate change is not some faraway, distant problem for future generations. It's here and now. While we at the Surfrider Foundation are committed to addressing the impacts of climate change head-on, today, we are tasked with supporting the individuals and communities affected by Hurricane Helene on the slow road toward recovery. Click the link below to learn more about Hurricane Helene, relief resources, and where you can donate to support affected communities. https://hubs.ly/Q02S3F_r0 Photo Credit: North Carolina Department of Transportation

Surfers’ Point, located along the Ventura, CA coastline, is renowned for its iconic surf break and natural beauty. However, in the 1990s, a poorly designed bike path and rock seawall collapsed into the ocean, endangering the public and destroying the natural beach habitat that had existed there for thousands of years. Surfrider’s Ventura County chapter has utilized the power of nature as a climate solution to restore this section of coastline to its natural state. Phase one of this project was a resounding success for our coast, and phase two construction will commence in just a few days!  Want to learn more about how to work with nature to protect your coastal community? Join Surfrider and become a volunteer today! https://hubs.la/Q02RH8bC0 

Victory 👏 All Plastic Bags Banned in California Grocery Stores! The Surfrider Foundation is proud to share that SB 1053 was recently signed into law. This bill improves California’s initial plastic bag ban to ensure consumers use either reusable or paper bags. The legislation requires stores to provide paper bags with a miniumum 50 percent post consumer recycled material and continues to encourage consumers to use reusable bags. Surfrider was pivotal in passing the nation’s first statewide bag ban ten years ago. Since then, we’ve seen an overall decline in plastic bags, but the thicker plastic bags are still causing problems. Single-use plastic bags are not recyclable, harm wildlife and our environment, clog sewage drains, contaminate our drinking water, and break down into toxic microplastics that accumulate in our ocean. A huge thanks to Surfrider’s California chapters and  student clubs, and all those who took action to make this momentous victory possible. Learn more: https://hubs.la/Q02RQzV_0 

Fighting Climate Change With Nature 🌱🌎 Check out professional surfer Mia Calderon and Surfrider Foundation Puerto Rico as they plant and restore mangroves in Puerto Rico. Mangroves are uniquely diverse ecosystems that are vital to our planet’s tropical and subtropical coastlines. They act as barriers against coastal erosion, can remove 10x more carbon per year than mature tropical rainforests, and offer critical habitat for thousands of species, including developing marine life. Mangroves are a powerful nature-based solution that Surfrider is implementing to protect our coasts in Puerto Rico and Florida. Want to learn more about how to work with nature to protect your coastal community? Join Surfrider and become a volunteer today! https://hubs.la/Q02RH8bC0 🎥: @mecanicodepacotilla

Plastic pollution is everywhere. It's in the water we drink, the food we eat, and even in the air we breathe. On average, a person will consume a credit card’s worth of microplastics every week. That’s why Surfrider has filed a landmark legal challenge against the fossil fuel giant Exxon, the world’s largest producer of single-use plastic polymers. Our complaint alleges that Exxon engaged in an aggressive campaign to hide the truth from the public to perpetuate the myth of recycling as the answer to plastic pollution, thereby exacerbating the plastic pollution crisis.  Will you help us take this historic legal stand against Exxon? Click below to join Surfrider, and stand up to corporate greed and single-use plastic pollution. https://hubs.la/Q02QPNV-0 #ExxonHidTheTruth #PlasticRecyclingIsAScam