People from all over turn out for the annual Clean Water Paddle on the Potomac River.
IT'S AN UPSTREAM BATTLE
So what can a Surfrider chapter that is 2+ hours from the beach do to help with ocean issues? Well, considering that we live in a major metropolitan area with waterways that feed into the Chesapeake Bay watershed, there's plenty that we can do to educate our neighbors about good practices that will keep our water clean. The Potomac and Anacostia rivers are part of the lifeblood of the Chesapeake Bay and need to be guarded against stormwater flow and pollution.
DC Surfrider holds educational events in the DC area and at the beach. We also partner with local environmental organizations and other Surfrider chapters (like Ocean City, Delaware, and Virginia Beach) for issues that arise, such as beach access, legislative disputes, coastal erosion, and various other water-quality topics. We will also help with national issues if necessary.
On top of all that, we make sure we do the fun stuff too. Surf trips, Movie Night, Snowrider Days are all part of keeping the stoke alive for the surprisingly large number of inland surfers.
Keep up to date with the latest upcoming events. Click here for the DC Surfrider email newsletter.
PROGRAMS & ACTIVITIES
If you are interested in getting involved with any of these programs/activites, just e-mail us or come to one of our monthly meetings. Whether you want to volunteer at an event, manage an entire activity, or have ideas about starting a new program, we're happy to have you on board.
Adopt-a-Beach Delaware - DC Surfrider has "adopted" a stretch of beach in the Delaware Seashore State Park. It is a commitment to keeping this area clean and litter-free throughout the year. The goal of the Adopt-a-Beach program is to promote environmental awareness, recycling, and litter abatement through community involvement. It gives people the satisfaction of directly making their beach a better place to visit. At least two beach cleanups are planned annually, but everyone is encouraged to visit at any time of the year and pick up trash. Click here for info about our beach.
Alice Ferguson Potomac River Watershed Cleanup - This yearly cleanup is the largest regional event of its kind. At locations such as fields, forests, and parking lots, trash is removed before it can enter creeks, rivers, and other waterways. DC Surfrider has traditionally helped to clean up the Georgetown waterfront.
Annual Clean Water Paddle - For over a decade, this has been our signature event. Participants meet up at the Georgetown waterfront and paddle to the Key Bridge and back, all for clean water awareness. Surfboards, kayaks, canoes, or any other non-motorized watercraft are welcome. And new to the event is a trash cleanup at Roosevelt Island.
National Marathon - Every March, DC Surfrider volunteers to distribute clean water at one of the water stations along the route of the National Marathon. It's a great opportunity to meet members of the chapter, help out with a local event, and spread our clean water message to thousands of runners.
Storm Drain Marking - The Storm Drain Marking Program is an easy way for anyone to get directly involved in reducing the amount of pollution in our waterways. It involves affixing labels to our areas storm drains that remind people of where our sewers ultimately end up - in the river, then the Bay, then the ocean.
Snowrider Project - The Snowrider Project was launched by the Surfrider Foundation in 1997 to bring greater understanding of the hydrological cycle (the foundation for the intimate environmental connection between snow, land and surf) and foster a sense of stewardship towards alpine and valley watersheds. While the Snowrider Project was initially conceived to give snowboarders and skiers a vehicle for environmental activism, the range of participants and activists has expanded to include kayakers, canoeists, back-country adventurers and others who appreciate the sanctity of a clean, connected system.
Respect the Beach - Respect the Beach (RTB) is an award-winning coastal educational program that includes field trips, classroom lectures, handouts, video, and hands-on projects designed to coastal watershed processes, shoreline ecology and coastal areas stewardship to K-12 students and community groups. The Respect the Beach program is brought into classrooms by Surfrider members, who represent ocean environmentalism from the surfer's perspective, and who are role models that students can relate to.
Annual Outer Banks Surf Trip - For the last two years, DC Surfrider has kicked off the spring season with a surf trip to the Outer Banks of North Carolina in May. Arranged as a meetup at Oregon Inlet Campground, it's a three-day, two-night trip where everyone is welcome to come and bring as many people as they'd like. It's a great way to get a jump on the warmer weather.
Movie Nights - Monthly get-togethers to socialize, share stories, and watch some surf movies. Usually held on the last Tuesday of every month at Finn MacCools, second floor.
PHOTOS
Click here for some photos from past DC Surfrider events.