The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit environmental organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world's waves, oceans and beaches for all people, through conservation, activism, research, and education.
Publication of The Surfrider Foundation
A Non-Profit Environmental Organization
122 S. El Camino Real PMB #67
San Clemente, CA 92672
(949) 492-8170
(800) 743-surf
fax (949) 492-8142
e-mail info@surfrider.org
Web Site: http://www.surfrider.org
Executive Director
Christopher J. Evans, Esq.
Deputy Executive Director/
Legal Director
Michelle C. Kremer, Esq.
Chapter Operations Director
Edward J. Mazzarella
Environmental Director
Eve J. Kliszewski
Development Director
Lori A. Booth
Environmental Programs Manager
Chad Nelsen
Membership Manager
Josh Wright
Membership Services
Carrie Heavey
Mail Order & Office Services
Sylvia Cantu
Communications Coordinator
John Hoskinson
Controller
Toni Craw
Web Master
Mark Babski
Chief Financial Officer
Christopher W. Keys, CPA
Making Waves Staff
Editor: Michelle Kremer
Contributors: Michelle Kremer, Ed Mazzarella, Chad Nelsen
Making Waves Designer
Patty Roberts
VOLUNTEERS/INTERNS
Jill Tierney
Chapin Tierney
Joey Cabana
Johnny Picante
1999 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President
Mark Cousineau
Chairman
Michael Walther
Vice-Chair
Elizabeth Sturcken
Secretary
Marty Fujita
Other Board Members
Tom Davis
Jeff Duclos
John Earhart
Al Ferguson
Nancy Gardner
Darryl Hatheway
Dan Orange
Gregory Pollack
Kevin Ranker
Helge Weissig
John Yamanaka
Surfing Legend Brad McCaul Phd. once wrote, "life is like a tapestry of many threads woven together to form a unified picture all of one piece, despite the fact that our daily experience often dictates that it be broken down into disjointed seemingly unrelated pieces." I knew when he said it that it was an often repeated, but profound point; a simple complexity. In rediscovering Surfrider Foundation in 1999 I found it poised on the brink of embodying Brad's quote. In 1998 Surfrider Foundation's Board of Directors created a five-year strategic plan that weaves a thread of holism through the tapestry connecting the release of scientifically and ecologically sound programs in the context of a great day at the beach.
The plan's execution has and will bolster our scientific credibility, raise our prominence in the media, increase our internal efficiency and build our capacity. All of this translates into increased support to our true power base; chapter coastal eco-warriors. Our plan demonstrates the shared belief that all life that flows to the coast and beyond is connected, and that it is in this chain of diversity that we find ourselves. It is in this larger context that we find the model for our work- the protection of oceans, waves and beaches.
The Beachscape program creates a sorely needed measurement of coastal status. It will produce a unified baseline that does not completely exist in science today, a baseline that must be considered before the advocacy of any coastal development, and a baseline that has proven valuable in the consideration of water quality solutions.
The overhaul of the Respect the Beach and Blue Water Task Force, gives us continued scientific relevance and renewed educational presence. The Surf Site Stewardship Program, due to begin in year 2000, weaves all of our programs into one place, unifies our work and allows us to proactively pursue solutions for the challenges on our home beaches.
In the fall of 1999 we find the Surfrider Foundation healthy in every respect. With 45 chapters in the United States, 4 international affiliates, 25,000 members and a 1.3 million dollar annual national budget, we continue to grow at a steady rate. Our growth is directly attributable to the visibility of our member's accomplishments. Last year, across the United States, chapters tested the water over 6,000 times. Chapters testified or participated in over 1,000 legislative, judicial or administrative hearings. Chapters presented over 500 educational programs to thousands of our children. Chapters cleaned over 250 beaches. Surfrider either researched or took legal action 65 times to protect our coast. And, members sit on over 30 task forces or multi-disciplinary bodies working to solve frequently increasing coastal issues. Through it all our membership renewal continues to remain strong and new membership continues to rise at a modest but steady rate.
The Surfrider Foundation has come long and far from those early days on the beach in Malibu, California. Mostly victories, some losses, but always fighting for the coast, always weaving the thread through the tapestry, we still stand where they did; on the beach- Keepers Of The Coast.
Christopher J. Evans Esq.
Executive Director
