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05.02.18

Protecting 2 Miles of Smiles with Sanuk and Surfrider Isla Vista Chapter

In celebration of Earth Day, Surfrider HQ ventured up to Goleta for a day of activity with Sanuk, the Surfrider Santa Barbara Chapter the Surfrider Isla Vista Chapter. This dynamic partnership launched in early 2017 and is dedicated to protect clean water, healthy beaches and defend the Goleta coastline for current and future generations.

The crew rallied for an early morning surf and afterward met on the bluff above Devereux Beach which offers a great view of the coastline protected under this alliance. Coffees and breakfast burritos in hand, everyone was excited to take in the view and hear an update on recent local chapter efforts, including the increased water testing after the Thomas Fire in January 2018 caused devastating flooding and subsequent poor water quality in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. Surfrider's Southern California Regional Manager, Bill Hickman offered insights on the national fight against the newly proposed plan to expand offshore oil drilling and how this would impact the local area. Santa Barbara residents are all too familiar with oil derricks on their horizon line and the devastating effects of oil spills, such as the 2015 Refugio oil spill that resulted in a 4 mile oil slick or the 1969 the Refugio State Beach oil spill – the largest spill to have occurred in the waters off California and the third largest oil spill in U.S. waters. 

Inspired to roll up their sleeves, the volunteers descended upon the sand with gloves and buckets in hand and a goal of removing every ounce of trash from their special place. After an hour, over 60 lbs was removed including 10 lbs of recyclables, 30 lbs of hazardous waste and plenty of unusual oddities including a ball of computer wires and a road sign. The effort was critical and complimented the recently rejuvinated weekly beach cleanup scheduled hosted by the Isla Vista Chapter. Local surfers thanked the volunteers and even commented they recently noticed their beach was cleaner.

Next stop, a tour of local coastal vicotires by local Surfrider legend and a member of the Santa Barbara Chapter Executive Committee, Ken Palley. Ken led the enthusiastic group out to the Gaviota Coast and offered the history and current campaigns of the Santa Barbara Ranch property. “I explained the battles we are waging to try to preserve that parcel and several adjacent parcels which collectively comprise the bulk of the Gaviota Coast. The weather was perfect, the views spectacular and the responsive very positive. I think I was able to convey my love and passion for the Gaviota Coast and hopefully they all got infected with the same bug. A really great group of people and I look forward to working with them again soon”, said Ken.

Throughout 2018, the local Surfrider Foundation Santa Barbara Chapter and the Isla Vista Chapter and Sanuk will continue to work in partnership. Together, they will provide educational briefing sessions, spearhead beach monitoring and cleanups to help protect clean water, reduce plastic pollution and coastal erosion, and provide support to defend the coasts from offshore drilling and other environmental issues facing the Santa Barbara and Goleta coastlines.

And we echo this positive closing sentiment from Bill, “Sometimes we need to pause and take in the natural beauty that we are working to protect. It was awesome to spend a few hours with rad people from Sanuk and Surfrider where we saw a whale, dolphins, a seal, countless birds and the beautiful scenery of Isla Vista and the Gaviota Coast. Get out and protect what you love!'

Thank you to Sanuk for their incredible support and participation with our mission!