More than 40 years of grassroots action to protect our coasts and ocean just reached an extraordinary milestone, Surfrider won its 1,000th victory. The Surfers Point Managed Retreat Project in Ventura, California is a fitting win for this landmark achievement. The campaign required decades of advocacy, leadership, local expertise, and partnerships, all necessary components of a successful campaign. What the Surfers Point project achieves, the relocation of an eroded parking lot and bike path off the shoreline, will add decades of resilience to an iconic California beach for all to enjoy.
For coastal communities and businesses, surfers, anglers, and beachgoers, this 1000th win is more than a number—it represents Surfrider’s proven model of community-driven action to protect what we love.
Surfrider began in 1984 when a group of local surfers organized to protect their beloved surf break in Malibu, California. What started as a small local effort has grown into the world’s leading coastal and ocean protection grassroots network. Today, Surfrider supports over 200 volunteer-led chapters and student clubs working on coastal issues across the United States.
Surfers Point before and after Surfrider's 1000th victory.
Through a combination of grassroots activism, on-the-ground projects, and science-based advocacy, Surfrider transforms local concerns into meaningful campaigns at the local, state, and federal levels. When the network wins a campaign, a coastal victory is achieved. Like Surfers Point, these successes often come after years of organizing, working with partners, and unwavering leadership.
Reaching 1,000 victories demonstrates the scale of impact that local activism can accomplish when communities and stakeholders work together to protect the ocean. Surfrider campaigns tackle a wide range of issues that affect the health and accessibility of our coasts. Each victory represents a policy decision, a law created or defended, or a community action that strengthens protections for beaches and marine ecosystems.
Some examples of coastal victories include:
In 2026 alone, Surfrider has secured more than a dozen victories. Early this year in New Jersey, Surfrider led efforts to pass a Skip the Stuff law that will reduce plastic pollution from take out food containers and utensils. At the federal level, funding was protected for water quality monitoring on our coasts to keep our families safe when we surf, swim, and play at the beach. Meanwhile, just recently in Florida, a successful Surfrider campaign improves processes to protect the state’s coasts and communities through nature-based solutions such as the restoration of coastal dunes and mangrove forests. These are just a few of our wins so far this year. We expect dozens more.
The threats facing coastlines today are more complex than ever. Climate change is reshaping shorelines around the world. Oil drilling interests have 1.27 billion acres of U.S. marine ecosystems in the crosshairs. Plastic pollution is contaminating even the country’s most remote beaches. While we celebrate Surfers Point and the 1,000th win, we know that the work is not done. In fact, it never will be. As coastal activist and fearless environmental leader Peter Douglas said, “the coast is never saved, it's always being saved.”
Surfrider’s 1,000th victory belongs not just to the organization—but to the people that have stood up to protect the places they love. Thanks to Surfrider’s volunteers, members, and supporters for making this achievement a reality.
To be a part of the next 1,000 wins and make your lasting impact on the coasts and ocean, please join Surfrider today.