I’m a firm believer that the best way to get people together for a great cause is to start off with an equally great party. And if the guest list for that party happens to have plenty of surfing royalty, a rockstar or two, and maybe even a big wave surfer DJ’ing the whole shindig before the headline band hits the stage, well, you just might have a solid turnout. Now that you’ve grabbed our attention you’re free to spread the good word.
So on a beautiful evening in Malibu the Surfrider Foundation tried out this radical little practice for the second time on as many coasts. Just a few weeks ago Two Coasts: One Ocean had been held in Montauk. Now another group of surfers and supporters of the Surfrider Foundation were rounding out part two of Two Coasts: One Ocean, in the same town where it all started in 1984. The silent auction and the live auction were just part of the fundraising and generosity the surf community put on display – to the tune of raising over $350,000 to be exact. I mean, how much would you bid on a trip to Santa Barbara to surf with Shaun Tomson? That’s priceless in itself. But just as priceless is seeing a group of people gathered in somebody’s backyard for the very straightforward purpose of supporting a 31 year old organization whose mission is to protect 100 percent of our coasts. Consider how daunting of a task that is and setting aside an evening to show which corner you’re in doesn’t seem like much of a chore at all.
But like I said, this was all a celebration anyway. So while we all sat down over dinner a few of those familiar faces and influential voices jumped on stage to share stories. “These are the places you grew up and where you live,” so why wouldn’t you join the fight to protect them? And earlier that day the Malibu chapter had held a beach clean up, clearing almost 200 pounds of mostly single use plastics from shore. It’s scary that this is just one tiny stretch of coast where it all started. And now the Surfrider Organization operates through 84 different chapters, still looking for more supporters to help take on the cause. Because if there’s still that much trash to clean up in Malibu, imagine how much more is washing up on other beaches today. So Surfrider protects the ocean, fights to maintain beach access, preserve the ocean, and to keep our water clean. “Our story began in Malibu when a handful of surfers fought to protect their favorite surf spot,” Surfrider CEO Dr. Chad Nelsen said. Which is exactly why it made sense to hold the inaugural Two Coasts: One Ocean event here. And that’s what brings it all full circle as I’m planning my approach to chat it up with the next surfer, actor or rockstar that crosses my path. It only took a handful of people 31 years ago to get the ball rolling on environmental activism in the name of the entire surfing community. And each year the mission seems to get bigger and bigger. It’s more than just fundraisers, and it’s more than just beach clean ups. It turns out the most valuable thing any person can give, regardless of the cause they’re encouraged to support, is their time. The more than $350,000 raised here will go a long way for the foundation, and it all started with a handful of people giving their time. So now we have one of the greatest collections of surfers/humans doing just that to keep the mission going.
What’s the big lesson? The more people give their most valuable commodity, the more infectious it becomes. Just ask the Surfrider Foundation. They’ve been doing that for three decades, and now they know how to throw one heck of a party too.
Visit the Surfrider Foundation online to find your nearest chapter and protect our ocean.
