What is your current role with the Surfrider Foundation?
I’m currently the President of the Surfrider Student Club at the University of California, San Diego.
When and why did you choose to get involved?
I heard about Surfrider in 7th grade and got involved with the South Bay Chapter. Their Blue Water Task Force program offers something known as Test & Test, which is specifically geared towards students.
Growing up in a coastal community, I’ve always felt connected to ocean conservation, and participated in a lot of beach cleanups throughout my childhood. I was also really interested in lab sciences, so BWTF was a perfect fit for me.
Earth Day 2026 at UCSD.
What are some local environmental issues that you have witnessed?
Living in Redondo Beach, I’ve witnessed numerous beach closures due to sewage and oil spills, in addition to the LA fires in January 2025.
What Surfrider projects have you been involved with? How have these projects impacted your community?
I was the student lab director for the South Bay Chapter’s BWTF, where our water quality results were shared publicly to inform surfers and the rest of the community of bacteria levels at different beaches.
What can Surfrider do to foster an inclusive and welcoming environment?
I would love to see Surfrider engage with more students in further inland and low-income neighborhoods.
What is the most important thing you tell others about Surfrider?
Surfrider has a history of successfully driving change through public policy. Coastal conservation efforts would not have come as far as they have without the community engagement that Surfrider leads, and dedicated individuals who volunteer their time and energy.
Rani conducts a beach water quality test in 2022.
What has been the highlight of your Surfrider experience?
The highlight of my Surfrider experience has definitely been starting up the main campus club at UC San Diego. A lot of UCSD students are interested in coastal conservation but don’t know how to get started, so it’s been so amazing to create that community for them.
Thanks so much, Rani! Is there anything else you would like to add?
I’m so proud of the community I’ve formed at Surfrider, and I really want to thank my mentor and BWTF champion, Mary Simun, who has encouraged and supported me throughout the years.