Surfrider Foundation
The Surfrider Foundation is a non-governmental organization dedicated to the protection of the coasts and waters. This goal is pursued through awareness training, research, advocacy and mobilization. Originally founded in the United States, the Surfrider Foundation is now a worldwide network with chapters on every inhabited continent, as well as in Europe and in Germany.
Mission
According to statutes, the Surfrider Foundation Europe is dedicated as a non-profit organization of defense, rescue, improvement and maintenance of the oceans, coasts, waves and the people who use it and enjoy. This is done in a sustainable way, through education and awareness, research, lobbying against pollution, lobbying against the obstruction of coasts, local actions, public mobilization and protests, as well as the production and sale of brand products of the non-profit organization.
History
1984 decided surfers in Malibu (California ) to get through active resistance to vulnerable local surf spot. After several years as a loose association finally an official organization was formed and called the Surfrider Foundation to life. Three-time surfing world champion Tom Curren in 1990 founded the first chapter of the Surfrider Foundation Europe in Biarritz ( France). From there, the SFE spread further and is now present in several European countries.
Surfrider Foundation Europe
The Surfrider Foundation Europe is an independent organization based in Biarritz ( France). From there, the activities are coordinated and supported in Europe. The bulk of the chapter is located on the French Atlantic coast with its many surf spots. Other countries with active groups are Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Portugal, Italy, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Spain and Austria. Across Europe, about 5,000 members, 1,000 volunteers in 40 chapters and 15,000 supporters committed to the Surfrider Foundation.
The Surfrider Foundation in Germany
Currently in Germany there is an active Chapter, in Hamburg. The chapter is committed to the coasts, seas, rivers and lakes in Northern Germany.
Initiatives and programs
Annually organized clean-ups on the coasts of oceans, lakes and rivers, or in the woods in the spring on the first weekend In the Océane initiative. The aim is on the one hand, to improve the situation on the ground, especially to make but public attention to the increasing pollution. In the year 2012 2.150 km of coastline were thus freed of 2500 m³ waste at 1,200 locations with 50,000 participants.
In Keepers of the Coast program a network is set up that goes beyond the Chapter and members of the Surfrider Foundation. Residents and users of all surf spots will be encouraged to stand up for their receipt on the spot and tackle dirt or obstruction. Assign network members to such grievances, they receive support in areas such as scientific research, lobbying or communications.
The Surfrider Foundation maintains laboratories as an independent scientific facilities that collect on the coasts of information on water quality and monitor these. Possible problems are thus detected and remedied in a timely manner. So far there are laboratories in Marseille, Biarritz and Bilbao, are in the next few years more in the Netherlands, Toulouse, Le Havre and Brittany arise.
The educational program aims to inform children about environmental issues and to make them the importance of an environmentally conscious lifestyle conscious. To this end, teachers and parents appropriate materials of different media will be provided and volunteers visited facilities of the Surfider Foundation.