On Saturday, June 20 Surfrider L.A. joined with partner organizations to mark International Surfing Day with a paddle out to protect the coast. The Southern California Coast is under threat from the Trump administration's plans to expand offshore drilling. International Surfing Day began over two-decades ago as a celebration of the love of surfing, but the ongoing march of climate change puts the enjoyment of our oceans, waves, and beaches at risk.
Before paddling out, a line up of speakers shared the importance of ocean stewardship, the mounting attacks on our marine and coastal ecosystems, and encouragement to keep moving forward. Each speaker reiterated our bond - we were all there because of a love of the ocean (whether or not we were surfers). To some degree, we've all had an experience with the devastating effects of the oil industry, and we all want to bring about change.
Lauren Bash, storyteller and climate activist, shared her experience finding "oil blobs" or tar balls from both the 2015 Refugio Beach oil spill 2015 and 2021 Huntington Beach pipeline break.
"We're still finding them!" Someone shouted from the crowd.
"Oil spills are an inevitable reality of offshore oil drilling," said Anupa Asokan, Founder and Executive Director of Fish On during her speech, "we should be looking for innovative energy solutions to move forward — not reverting back to more drilling."
Standing there on the beach, listening to the all too familiar threats from offshore drilling (impacts of seismic blasting, environmental degradation, loss of coastal economies) it still seemed unimaginable. Who could look at a coastline and intentionally destroy it?
David Chokachi, actor and Surfrider Ambassador, recounted the devastating toll runoff from last year's Palisade fire took on marine life, "we can't add the threats from offshore oil drilling on top of the impacts from climate change we're already facing."
Offshore oil drilling will exacerbate climate change fueling increasing natural disasters. Once oil infrastructure is built the physical structures last for generations, the environmental impacts untold years beyond. If plans for offshore oil drilling move forward, our coastline will transform before our eyes. We need to defend our coast now, so that future generations can know it as we love it.
In the Water
After we paddled out, we floated in the water, fighting the pull of the currents to stay in a circle. Hands outstretched to the person on either side.
"What do we do when the coast is under threat?"
"Stand up fight back!"
Our circle rose and fell with the rhythm of the ocean. In his speech earlier, one of the things Dr. Chad Nelson said was most important for the movement, "get people involved." When we join together, we become stronger. We outnumber the forces against us. Don't hesitate to speak up and share your passion for the ocean. He also reminded us to lead by example, people notice what you do much more than they listen to preaching. The steps you take to add your voice against off shore drilling, and the small changes you make to reduce plastic pollution at the source, prompt others to take notice and follow suit.
As Ray Jackson, CA Coastal Commission and Hermosa Beach City Council member said, "choose action over apathy. Protecting our coast requires citizens that take action and stand their ground. Local elections and participation matter."
What Comes Next
There was, through everything, an air of camaraderie - genuine excitement to see others in the water. People left with new groups to surf with and a new commitment to stand together.
Follow Surfrider channels like social media and newsletters for national and local chapters for opportunities for further action to protect our coastlines. According to Pete Stauffer, Ocean Protection Senior Manager, Surfrider anticipates that the Trump administration will release the next draft of its drilling plan any day. Then, there will be a 90 day public comment period, so keep telling your representatives why you oppose offshore drilling.
We're proud to be out here in this beautiful ocean together! This gathering of ocean activism is so important because it also teaches the next generation of surfers, ocean enthusiasts and activists how to engage and show up for what they love. Action and results all begin within our own grassroots communities, and that's what we're doing today in Santa Monica with Surfrider!
~Dylan Sohngen, Aqua Surf, Executive Director
Wild fish need clean rivers, healthy estuaries, and thriving coastlines to survive. CalTrout's work to remove obsolete dams and restore fish passage is part of the same effort Surfrider is championing to keep California's waters healthy and accessible for the people and wildlife who depend on them. Rivers and beaches are part of the same connected system, and our communities thrive when our waterways are healthy.
~Curtis Knight, California Trout, Executive Director
Surfers live in the ocean, so we feel its health in a way most people don't. And honestly, we live on Planet Ocean, not Earth. When the ocean is hurting, it is often invisible from shore. Out of sight, out of mind, but more than ever, we need to look beyond that. That's why we stand with Surfrider this International Surfing Day, to protect the coast we love and every creature that calls it home.
~Alix Gucovsky, Venice Surfing Association, Vice President
Whether you enjoy the ocean on a surfboard, with a fishing rod in hand or take in the view from the sand, everyone depends on healthy, thriving waters. Offshore drilling puts the places we love and the communities that rely on them at risk. On International Surfing Day, our fishing community is proud to paddle out alongside surfers and other ocean advocates to make it clear that California’s coast is worth protecting.
~Anupa Asokan, Fish On, Founder and Executive Director