On September 19th, we gathered in Malibu, where it all began, for part two of our Two Coasts: One Ocean event series. In an exclusive backyard setting, nearly 300 supporters came together to celebrate Surfrider’s network of activists and raise critical funds to insure our efforts to protect 100% of our coasts.
The evening was much more than a great party. It carried a strong message that global protection of our coasts starts locally, with each one of our guests. As the sun went down over sweeping coastal views, many reminisced about a group of surfers who fought to defend their favorite Malibu break over 30 years ago. Throughout the program, we were reminded of the volunteers, activists and
influential people that follow in the path of our founders and work tirelessly everyday to defend our coasts. In attendance were musicians Anthony Kiedis, from Red Hot Chili Peppers and Portugal. The Man, surfers Laird Hamilton, Kelly Slater, Stephanie Gilmore, Shaun Tompson, Kassia Meador, Greg Long, and Leah Dawson; actors Sam Waterston, Laura Dern and David Chokachi; swimwear designers Kalani and Oleema Miller; sports commentators Sal Masekela and Strider Wasilewski, among countless philanthropists and new friends to our organization.
2015 was the inaugural year for the Surfrider Foundation’s Two Coasts: One Ocean events – in Montauk, New York on August 8th and in Malibu, California on September 19th. Through notable support from sponsors Ted Baker London, KROQ, Gucci, Jet Blue and many more generous donors, the two events raised over $355,000 for Surfrider Foundation’s national effort to protect 100% of our coasts. These funds will go a long way to ensure clean water, accessible beaches, healthy coasts and oceans for all of us to enjoy. The investments made through the event will fund essential elements of our Clean Water Campaign, such as training chapter members to win a clean water victory, water pollution tests, building water quality labs, activism for our beach act campaign and providing world-class support to chapters for coastal protection and clean water activism.
At the Surfrider Foundation, we believe that every wave, beach and ocean is worth protecting and we are relentless in our pursuit to accomplish our goal. We hope you will join in 2016 for our next Two Coasts: One Ocean event as we work towards 100% coastal protection. View event photos here!