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The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of our world’s oceans, waves and beaches. Founded in 1984 by a handful of visionary surfers in Malibu, California, the Surfrider Foundation now maintains over 50,000 members and 80 chapters worldwide.

GET INVOLVED - Join, Donate, Volunteer!

Surfrider isn’t just for surfers. It’s for anyone who loves the ocean, its beaches and is concerned about protecting it. You can get involved in many ways. First, join Surfrider! It only costs $25 ($15 for students) and it makes you a member of both National and First Coast Surfrider. Plus, you get Surfrider’s award winning publication “Making Waves.”

Another way to get involved is to attend our monthly meetings and other events. You can contribute funds to Surfrider Jacksonville - we are a registered 503c charitable organization and your donation is tax deductible (mail checks to: Surfrider Foundation ~ Jacksonville Chapter, PO Box 51225, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32240-1225).

Last, volunteer for one of our committees: Water Testing, Outreach, Website, Marketing, Special Issues, Events and Contests. Contact us today to give your time in the fight to protect our beaches, waves and oceans!
THE HISTORY OF FIRST COAST SURFRIDER:

Planting Seeds
In February of 2000, a group of local surfers started the first effort to form a Surfrider Chapter in Jacksonville. This group realized that continued urban growth and development was having new and potentially negative impacts on the coastal environment, while there was no organized group representing the interest of surfers and beach goers. There was a lot of enthusiasm around these first efforts to start a Surfrider Chapter, however, it lacked a good communications system to galvanize its constituency and build momentum.

Born of a new technology
Two years later, Surfrider Jacksonville found new life by way of a new technology — the Internet. Long time Surfrider and web designer, Jamie Borders had created a highly successful surfing-related website that included a discussion board for surfing and related issues. In January of 2002, Atlantic Beach Pro/Am surfer Julia Skelton-Arnold posted a note on the message board expressing concerns over recently passed Federal regulations that soften wetland protection laws. It was quite a “phenomenon” as a flurry of responses followed announcing their solidarity with Julia’s concerns. This “phenomenon” did not go unnoticed by two members of the original team that attempted to set up a Surfrider Chapter two years prior - clearly, the Internet and fluidgroove.net could provide the springboard needed to build a communications network among the surfing community and make Surfrider Jacksonville a reality.

A ground swell of support
Officially filing papers with Surfrider National in March of 2002 to “organize” a local chapter, we went from five volunteers to over 100 in just three months. This makes Jacksonville one of the fastest growing local chapters in Surfrider’s history. What’s more, Surfrider National, Director of Chapter Operations approved our agenda and chapter plan, without amendment, and went on to say it was the “best” agenda document he had seen from a chapter in his 10 years at Surfrider. Today, we have several environmental and political action projects underway. We continue to grow our membership and expand our efforts to protect the coastal environment.