Looking Back 20 Years To Inspire Looking Forward

by Nancy Hastings

Surfrider Founding members Glen Hening and Lance Carson

On Wednesday, September 29, 2004, the Malibu Chapter hosted a very special meeting at Pt. Dume Marine Elementary School to commemorate Surfrider Foundation's very first town hall meeting - held at the same location 20 years ago.

Surfrider founding members Glen Hening and Lance Carson treated attendees to an inspirational journey back in time to explain how and why Surfrider got started.

Surf culture from the 50's and 60's planted the primal seed that led to the birth of Surfrider; the music of Dick Dale and the Ventures, having the often controversial, outspoken and very stylish Micky Dora as a role model, and applying the concept of surfing leashless to how one should approach everything in life - by taking risks.

In 1984, surf culture took a turn for the worse with an explosion of surf industry conventions, crowded surf breaks, day-glo neon wetsuits, and Hollywood's new surfer-dude role model - Jeff Spicoli (Fast Times at Ridgemont High). However, the Olympics were held in Los Angeles that year, creating a spectacular venue for taking sports from all corners of the earth and sharing it with so many people.

Why not taking surfing to a whole new level, and share it with the world?

Another significant thing happened in 1984 - Glen Hening became a father. This major event in his life led him to reflect on what he could do to "Pay Back" for his enjoyment of the environment, and at the same time "Pay Forward" to future generations - specifically for his beautiful new daughter.

Looking back 20 years from 2004, this historical meeting provided a first hand account of how aq small group of motivated surfers and visionaries started a grassroots movement that over the past two decades has championed water quality issues, placed a value on treasured surf breaks and shaped coastal watershed management policies throughout the world.

Jeff Duclos, Ed Mazzarella, Michelle Kremer, Lance Carson
Glen Hening, Alan Reed, Nancy Hastings

Lance Carso read the exact same speech he read to State Parks in that very same room (and in the same suit jacket!), and Glen played video footage from that meeting - 20 years ago.

The global message: While taking time to honor the past, it should serve as inspiration for us to look ahead, take action, give back, and pay forward to protect the future of our oceans, waves, and beaches - for all to enjoy.

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Lance's Historical Speech to State Parks (Quicktime Video - 51.9MB)
Glen Hening's Closing Statement (Quicktime Video - 7.7MB)

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PS - Sorry folks, the name "Surfrider" did NOT come from Surfrider Beach. The name actually comes frm the Surfrider Inn in Santa Monica, CA - the place where Glen Hening first cast his eyes upon the Pacific Ocean.

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Congratulations to Jeff Duclos, winner of the coveted 10'6", triple stringer, custom shaped Lance Carson Longboard!