The Surfrider Foundation is the newest member of the Outdoor Alliance coalition. Surfrider joins nine other human-powered outdoor recreation organizations that make up Outdoor Alliance, including American Whitewater, American Canoe Association, Access Fund, International Mountain Bicycling Association, Winter Wildlands Alliance, the Mountaineers, the American Alpine Club, the Mazamas, and the Colorado Mountain Club.
Surfrider’s focus on protecting America’s oceans and beaches will strengthen Outdoor Alliance’s approach to public lands and water issues. Surfrider brings a passionate community of advocates who love the nation’s beaches and the outdoor recreation opportunities they provide, including surfing. The powerful grassroots network that Surfrider has built will be an asset for the coalition’s work to build the power of the outdoor recreation community to protect public lands and waters and secure strong policies that conserve our shared resources.
“Surfing, swimming, going to the beach and coastal recreation aren't possible without clean water and healthy beaches,” said Dr. Chad Nelsen, CEO of the Surfrider Foundation. “We are excited to join the Outdoor Alliance, and the other outdoor recreation groups that they represent, to work together to protect our public lands and waters so everyone can enjoy them.”
“We are stoked to have Surfrider join the Outdoor Alliance coalition,” said Adam Cramer, Outdoor Alliance's Executive Director. “We admire how Surfrider brings together policy expertise with a passionate grassroots network to protect the places they care about. Surfrider strengthens the coalition's work on coastal issues and access to beaches and waterways. Together, we're going to bring next level energy to protect public lands and waters and the experiences they provide to Americans.”
As a coalition, Outdoor Alliance brings local voices together to improve both national and state-level outdoor recreation policy. The addition of the Surfrider Foundation strengthens our collective voice, helping outdoor recreationists across the country to protect the places they care about. For example, Surfrider’s advocacy has protected funding for the EPA Beach Grants program over the past five years, ensuring coastal states have resources to monitor water quality and protect the health of beachgoers. In October of this year, the Surfrider Foundation won a protracted legal battle to restore public access to Martin’s Beach in San Mateo, California, establishing an important precedent for protecting beach access in California and beyond.
Currently, Surfrider is waging campaigns to defend national monuments and marine sanctuaries from administrative attacks, and oppose the federal government’s plan to expand offshore oil drilling to 90% of U.S. coastlines. These campaigns support and complement Outdoor Alliance’s efforts to protect our nation’s public lands and waters for the benefit of recreational users.
The Surfrider Foundation is the third membership and advocacy organization that has a focus on water issues, and the first that focuses on protecting America’s coastlines and beaches. American Whitewater and American Canoe Association works on protecting rivers, waterways, and boating across the country. Outdoor Alliance’s work is a testament to the idea that voices to protect the outdoors are stronger when they are united. As a coalition, we look forward to helping Americans who love our public lands and waters work together to protect these landscapes.