Surfrider is proud to be partnered with our Surf Industry Coastal Defender, Electric to keep the eyes of Surfrider activists around the country protected from the elements as they carry out Surfrider campaigns and programs in their local communities. Support from Electric helps us achieve important programmatic work. Learn more about the amazing impact of one Surfrider activist from our Los Angeles Chapter, Joel Cesare, who is working to protect our ocean, waves and beaches for generations to come.
Tell us a little about yourself. Has the beach always been a big part of your life?
I have made the beach my life. I moved to LA for the year-round beach culture.
How’d you get involved with Surfrider and what is your role within your Chapter?
I wanted to start a program to help teach inner-city kids to surf and the Surfrider LA Chapter empowered me to launch a program. I'm now the Chapter Vice-Chair.
Can you tell us about one of the initiatives your chapter is focusing on right now that is high priority and of timely importance?
Our One Watershed program where we connect at-risk youth to the ocean through surf mentoring and experiential learning.
We launched the program in 2015 and have hosted over 10 events connecting over 200 kids from disadvantaged communities in LA to surfing. We have bigger goals but we think we're winning thus far.
Are there any specific challenges that stand out with this initiative that we can help raise awareness of?
We've built a really cool, crowdsourced model to make the events easy to pull off. It would be sick to build an online event management platform that could help this program scale to other chapters.
For those who don’t already participate with their local Surfrider chapter, how can they support this initiative, support your chapter or make a difference for our ocean, waves and beaches?
I'm a believer that the One Watershed program should be happening in every chapter. It just takes a few champions to get it going and the LA Chapter is happy to share what we've learned. Getting more people to enjoy surfing is a great way to build your eco-army.
Anything else you want to say about your new Electric sunglasses?
They have been a revelation. Not only am I stoked on the look of the Knoxville, but the lenses are incredible too! Compared to my last sunglasses it's like I'm now wearing a prescription.
About the Electric x Surfrider Partnership
All Electric sunglasses sold featuring the OHM+ Polarized Blue or OHM Sky Blue Chrome lenses will share a portion of the proceeds with the Surfrider Foundation. Every pair sold directly supports the extensive team of Surfrider activists who are on the ground, cleaning up our beaches, fighting development, and monitoring water quality. Electric pledges to protect our environment through a number of their best looking sunglasses, get yours now and help save our oceans. Surfrider supporters, use code COASTALDEFENDER30 for 30% off the Surfrider collection. SHOP NOW