Surfrider Foundation, MAKING WAVES, October 2003

MAKING WAVES, October 2003: Table of Contents

The 14th Annual Waterman's Ball

4th Annual Membership Drive Results

by Jenna Oldfield

The 14th Annual Waterman's Weekend was not only a tribute to the sport, culture and lifestyle of surfing, but a generous benefit for the organizations that strive to protect and preserve the ocean on which the sport depends. The renowned Waterman's events took place on August 22nd and 23rd in Monarch Beach, California, with industry leaders, visionary surfers and ocean enthusiasts in attendance. SIMA photos

The Surfing Industry Manufactures Association (SIMA) honored the legendary big wave surfer, Laird Hamilton, as Waterman of the Year; Wildcoast's Serge Dedina as Environmentalist of the Year; and Bill and Bob Meistrell of Body Glove International as recipients of Lifetime Achievement Awards. Each honoree expressed their unique connection to the ocean, whether through the mastery of big wave surfing, through resolute environmental activism or through innovative productsÐÐlike the first Neoprene wetsuitÐÐthat allow surfers to enjoy the ocean year-round.

Ocean advocate Serge Dedina of Wildcoast, spoke humbly of his earliest environmental battles, which are still very close to his heart. Dedina wrote his first letter to an editor of a newspaper about the issues facing the Tijuana Sloughs and the Boca Rios beach break in Imperial Beach, California at age seven. At 15, Dedina stood defiantly in front of bulldozers that threatened the waves at Imperial Beach and the Sloughs. Dedina affirmed that his love for surfing was often the catalyst for his activism, "My biggest thrill is surfing great waves at places that I've helped save. That's about as good as it gets.Ó

Last year the golf tournament and the ball raised approximately $130,000 for the Surfrider Foundation and the SIMA Environmental Fund expects this year's event to exceed last year's totals. The Environmental Fund is split up amongst eight dedicated environmental organizations such as Heal the Bay, The Ocean Institute, and Wildcoast. The Surfrider Foundation receives fifty percent of this fund, which significantly supports our endeavors to protect the world's oceans, waves and beaches.

Surfrider Foundation would like to extend its gratitude to the SIMA Environmental Fund, the remarkably talented people at SIMA who coordinated the intricate details of this colossal event and the volunteers who graciously donated their valuable time to help out. Congratulations also to Laird Hamilton, Bill and Bob Meistrell and Serge Dedina for their awards and their commitments. In their own distinctive ways, these Watermen have created a legacy that will remind future generations of the importance of clean, healthy and accessible oceans for all of humankind.

by Kim Novick

Huge congratulations to our entire chapter activist network for once again topping the previous year's membership drive results. The 4th Annual Membership Drive reigned in 1201 new members.

On behalf of the Surfrider Foundation National staff and the Board of Directors, we want to thank all of our chapters for their time, energy, activism and outstanding efforts at raising our level of recruitment for this year's Membership Drive.

Only 3 years ago, our membership drive results totaled 360 new members. Now, in our 4th Annual Membership Drive, we collectively recruited 1201 new members. These numbers are something to be proud of. Our new members are future activists, donors and advocates for the ocean. Thanks to you, our grassroots network is growing strong.

In 2000, the Rhode Island Chapter came in 1st place. For the past three years, the San Diego Chapter has taken the lead. We would like to recognize and thank the San Diego Chapter for successfully recruiting 189 new members and winning this year's Membership Drive. Their consistent recruitment, compelling campaigns and dedication benefit the entire Surfrider Foundation grassroots network.

We also would like to sincerely thank and acknowledge the superb efforts of the Jersey Shore Chapter for recruiting 180 members, just nine behind the San Diego Chapter. Undeniably, their leadership and friendly competition with the San Diego chapter kept us all on the edge of our seats. It is also worth mentioning that the weekend after the Drive closed, the Jersey Shore Chapter mailed in another 77 new memberships. Thank you to all the devoted members of the Jersey Shore Chapter for giving San Diego a run for their money.

We additionally would like to recognize the tremendous efforts of the Malibu Chapter, who came in 3rd place with 78 new members, the Texas Chapter who placed 4th with 70 new members, and finally the New York City Chapter which brought in 68 new members.

Congratulations to all of our chapter activists and members for attaining a great victory. Undoubtedly, membership is the lifeblood of the Surfrider Foundation, and as a result of your dedication, we are at an unprecedented high of 37,000 members.