SURFRIDER FOUNDATION NEWS
Source: Surfrider Foundation - www.surfrider.org

Clean Water Classic
Surfrider Foundation and Global Surf Industries will host the largest surfing event in the Pacific Northwest on Friday, May 15th through Sunday, May 17th 2009.

The 8th annual Clean Water Classic surfing contest will be held Friday, May 15th through Sunday, May 17th  2009at Westport, Washington.  This event is a benefit for the Pacific Northwest chapters of the Surfrider Foundation and, in the past, the event has been awarded the Surfrider Foundation Chapter Event of the Year. 

Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit environmental organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world's oceans, waves and beaches for all people through conservation, activism, research and education.

Surfrider Foundation has multiple chapters in Oregon, Washington and British Columbia.  Shannon Serrano, Washington State Field Coordinator for the Surfrider Foundation, describes the current work of the Washington Surfrider chapters. 

“I am very excited to see the chapters involvement in campaigns increase, from plastics to rescue tug out on Neah Bay.  And the continued public outreach by chapters to work for beach access, something we would all love to see more of in Washington.” 

Gus Gates, Oregon Policy Coordinator,  describes the work of Surfrider volunteers in Oregon.  “Surfrider Foundation volunteers and members in Oregon participate in a myriad of activities from water quality monitoring and beach cleanups, planning for marine reserves and protected areas, facilitating wave energy discussions, to education and outreach on the need to reduce the consumption of single use plastics and their impact on the marine environment.” 

Proceeds from the Clean Water Classic directly fund Pacific Northwest chapters of the Surfrider Foundation for a variety of campaigns.  Shannon recaps what the Washington chapters did with their proceeds from the 2008 event. 

“We had chapters use the funds to continue their Blue Water Testing efforts and other chapters look towards raising watershed awareness with carpool and busing efforts as well as upkeep of local surf spots.” 

The Classic is proud to announce Global Surf Industries (GSI) as the returning main sponsor for the 2009 Clean Water Classic. GSI President Mark Kelly describes one of the new twists for the 2009 event.  “GSI will be launching a wild new surfboard design at the CWC this year. 
The Meyerhoffer by Modern is a surfboard that has been designed in conjunction with world renowned designer  Thomas Meyerhoffer.  Check the preliminary information out on the board here at SurfIndustries.com/modern .

Thomas will be attending the Classic and GSI will be running a one-design competition using this board.  We are all looking forward to the event.  This is the third year we have been the title sponsor and just love being immersed in the surfing community of the Pacific Northwest”. 

The Surfrider Foundation (Surfrider.org) is a non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to the protection and preservation of our world’s oceans, waves and beaches.  Founded in 1984 by a handful of visionary surfers, the Surfrider Foundation now maintains over 50,000 members and 63 chapters across the United States and Puerto Rico, with international affiliates in Australia, Europe, Japan and Brazil.

Contacts:  Pamela Clark, Clean Water Classic Communications 503-805-9668clark_pamela at yahoo.com

Jean Olson, Clean Water Classic Operations and Logistics
360-220-5735 pnwcleanwaterclassic at gmail.com

PALM BEACH COUNTY CHAPTER WINS MAJOR COURT BATTLE
Administrative Law Judge Robert E. Meale ruled on March 2, that the Town of Palm Beach be denied a Joint Coastal Permit to nourish Reach 8. One year ago in March 2008, the Surfrider Foundation, Snook Foundation, and three individuals filed suit against the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for approving a Joint Coastal Permit for the Town of Palm Beach to dredge-and-fill Reach 8.

The Town of Palm Beach intervened on behalf of the DEP, and the City of Lake Worth and Eastern Surfing Association intervened in opposition of the project. The trial lasted three weeks, ending in October of last year.

Blue Vision Summit in Washington DC
On March 9 -11, Surfrider Chapter members from DC, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, California, Texas, Oregon and elsewhere congregated in Washington DC for the Blue Vision Summit. The goals of the conference included strengthening the nationwide network of ocean activists and promoting passage of effective federal ocean legislation.

On the third day of the Summit, conference participants met with their federal representatives to communicate the importance of national leadership on ocean issues, including passage of Oceans 21, reauthorization of the Coastal Zone Management Act, funding for the Federal BEACH Act, etc. Special kudos to the Capitol (DC) Surfrider Chapter which was an official sponsor of the Blue Vision Summit and hosted a terrific ‘Celebration of the Sea’ reception for conference attendees.

In the coming months, stay tuned for more updates on federal legislation as the 111th Congress moves forward with addressing ocean issues under the new administration.

About the International Surfing Association (ISA)
The International Surfing Association (ISA) is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the World Governing Authority for surfing, bodyboarding and surfriding. It was originally founded as the International Surfing Federation in 1964 and has been running world championships since 1964 and the Junior World Championships since 1980.

ISA membership includes the surfing National Governing Bodies (NGBs) of over 50 countries on six continents. Its headquarters are located in San Diego, California. It is presided by Fernando Aguerre, first elected in 1994 in Rio, and re-elected six times since. The ISA's four Vice Presidents are Alan Atkins (Australia), Robin de Kock (South Africa), Mike Gerard (USA) and Karin Sierralta (Peru).

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