The Surfrider Foundation Scholarship program is managed by The Ocean Foundation (TOF). Lead staff at The Ocean Foundation for the Surfrider Foundation Scholarship program are TOF Pacific Region Program Officer and former Surfrider Foundation National Board Vice-Chair, Kevin Ranker and TOF President and former Surfrider National Board Chair Mark J. Spalding. TOF administers the program for the Surfrider Foundation. Together TOF and the Surfrider Foundation are seeking promising, talented, and dedicated students that are vital to the future of our oceans and coasts.

Overview:
As a demonstration of the Surfrider Foundation's continuing commitment to education, in 2005 its Board of Directors extended the guidelines and scope of the Surfrider Foundation's Scholarship program and allocated $10,000 in funds to be made available to grantees enrolled in an accredited college or university in the U.S. or internationally for the academic year of 2008-2009. Awards may be made at the undergraduate, Masters and Ph.D. levels, and are now available to qualified applicants pursuing studies in a wide range of fields deemed compatible and consistent with the Surfrider Foundation's Mission Statement and Guiding Principles.

The Surfrider Foundation Scholarship Program was originally established in 1994 in memory of Thomas Pratte, who was a co-founder of the Surfrider Foundation. As explained by Kira Stillwell, Chapter activist and past Chair of the Program Committee of the Board of Directors. "Tom was surfing’s first full-time environmental advocate. He dedicated his life to the study and preservation of waves and beaches. It is a reflection of the growth and health of our Foundation, and our unwavering commitment to supporting our membership, that we have expanded our level of assistance to those who are following in the path that Tom lead."

Pratte graduated from California’s Humboldt State University in 1982 with a degree in Natural Resource Planning & Interpretation. Along with surfer/activist Glenn Henning, he founded the Surfrider Foundation in 1984 to confront dredging and discharge practices that were destroying Malibu's famous point break wave. From 1985-1989, he served as the Foundation's first Executive Director and paid employee and received a Coastal and Ocean Management Award for his landmark work in organizing the surfing community as an effective public interest group. His environmental victories were many, including his pivotal role in a legal precedent setting settlement with Chevron Oil Company in El Segundo, California that represents the first time a government agency, department or office at any government level, has recognized the significance of a breaking wave as a natural resource deserving of protection. Thomas Pratte died on April 7, 1994 after a short battle with cancer.

Completed application materials must be received by May 15, 2008 and need to be sent by regular mail to:

The Ocean Foundation
1990 M. Street, NW, Suite 250
Washington DC 20036

To be eligible, you must be a member in good standing of the Surfrider Foundation with a satisfactory aggregate GPA and clearly demonstrated interest in coastal environmental science and issues relevant to the Surfrider Foundation Mission. Employees, as well as family of employees and board members of The Ocean Foundation are excluded from eligibility to receive a scholarship.

Both full and part time students are welcome to apply. Award announcements will be made during the first week of July, 2008. Applicants who are not selected are eligible to re-apply in subsequent years.

2008-2009 Surfrider Foundation Scholarship Guidelines

2008-2009 Surfrider Foundation Scholarship Application

2008-2009 Surfrider Foundation Scholarship Reference Sheet

Questions regarding the Surfrider Foundation Scholarships should be addressed to: kevinr@oceanfdn.org

Photograph by Warren Overman