Surfrider Foundation, MAKING WAVES, June 2003

Surfrider Foundation's 2000 Club

by Nicki Hmielewski

The evening of Friday, March 28th saw an exciting 2000 Club event at the home of Jeff and Karen Farmer in Newport Beach. With good-vibe live tunes from the San Onofre Bamboo Room Orchestra, an ensemble of SanO locals who have played acoustic Hawaiian melodies together for the past 22 years, and a group of committed ocean lovers, the evening was a set-up for success.

Steve Pezman, Leroy Grannis, and Randy Olson

Steve Pezman, Leroy Grannis, and Randy Olson

It was a gathering bursting with legendary presence, and innovative ideas. Guests of honor included legendary surf photographer, Leroy Grannis, and filmmaker/marine biologist Dr. Randy Olson. Grannis signed his book, Photo: Grannis—1960-1969—Surfing's Golden Age, and gave rise to nostalgia with a powerful reminder of how our coasts used to look. Dr. Olson spoke on his Shifting Baselines campaign, stressing how critical it is to correctly record the true and natural state of our oceans by establishing, retracing and remembering the original baseline.

Harold Hofer, Surfrider Foundation board member and Chair of Orange County's 2000 Club, emphasized the importance of a major donor group like the 2000 Club, the possibilities that the funding creates, and the necessary support it provides to carry out the Surfrider Foundation vision.

Steve Pezman, co-publisher of The Surfer's Journal and noted surf historian, provided a glimpse into the past, sharing stories of interviews and surf culture evolution while highlighting our responsibility to protect the very environment we enjoy.

Leroy Grannis spoke of a time when waves were a lot less crowded and less polluted. An original pioneer of surf photography, Leroy fondly recounted the early days and development of his work, standing before the crowd as a true symbol of love for surfing and testifying to the lasting youthful spirit that comes with it.