# Surfrider Foundation

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Non-profit environmental organization

Surfrider Foundation Founded 1984 (42 years ago) (1984)[1] Founder Glenn Hening, Chris Blakely, Lance Carson, and Tom Pratt[1] Type Social welfare organization Tax ID no. 95-3941826 Legal status 501(c)(3) charitable organization Focus Environmental activism Headquarters 942 Calle Negocio, Suite 350 Location San Clemente, California, United States Region served International Methods local activist network, litigation, research Key people Chad Nelsen, CEO Revenue $12,434,931[2] (2022) Expenses $11,651,732[2] (2022) Employees 78 (2025)[3] Volunteers ~100,000 (2022) [4] Website www.surfrider.org

The **Surfrider Foundation** is a [U.S.](/source/United_States) [501(c)(3)](/source/501(c)(3)) non-profit environmental organization that lobbies for the protection of oceans and beaches.

## History

The Surfrider Foundation was started in [Malibu, California](/source/Malibu%2C_California), in 1984 by a handful of [surfers](/source/Surfers) to protest threats to their local [surf break](/source/Surf_break) at Malibu Point. The organization continued on for several years as a loose advocacy group until 1991, when the first chapters were founded. Rob Caughlan served as president from 1984 to 1991.[5]

In their 2025 report on the previous year, it was estimated that the Surfrider Foundation collected 365,000 pounds (166,000 kg) of trash with 40,000 volunteers.[6] Of the waste collected, 83% were [plastics](/source/Plastic) and 32.5% were plastic fragments.[7] The most numerous items collected were [cigarette butts](/source/Cigarette_butts).

### Activism

The foundation was a key plaintiff in the battle to open [Martin's Beach](/source/Martin's_Beach) in [San Mateo County, California](/source/San_Mateo_County%2C_California).[8] The case resolved in 2018, when the [United States Supreme Court](/source/United_States_Supreme_Court) rejected [Vinod Khosla](/source/Vinod_Khosla)'s appeal.[9]

Starting in 2005, The Surfrider Foundation was one of several environmental organizations that led efforts to prevent a 6-lane toll road that would have cut through [San Onofre State Beach](/source/San_Onofre_State_Beach), the Donna O'Neil Land Conservancy, sacred sites of the [Acjachemen](/source/Acjachemen) and endanger San Mateo Creek Watershed. On September 25, 2020, California governor [Gavin Newsom](/source/Gavin_Newsom) signed AB1426 prohibiting the development of any roadway(s) that might impact or encroach upon the state beach, ending the decades long battle.[10][*[better source needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Verifiability#Questionable_sources)*]

#### Advocacy against housing and rail

In 2024, Surfrider opposed legislation that would reduce the ability of the [California Coastal Commission](/source/California_Coastal_Commission) to block housing in already urbanized parts of the coastal zone.[11]

In 2024, Surfrider called for the closure of the [Pacific Surfliner](/source/Pacific_Surfliner) rail that runs adjacent to the [San Clemente](/source/San_Clemente%2C_California) shoreline.[12] Surfrider said that the rail service had an adverse environmental impact and should be subjected to a full environmental impact study.[12]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-surfertoday_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-surfertoday_1-1) ["Surfrider Foundation launches new logo to celebrate 500 coastal victories"](https://www.surfertoday.com/environment/surfrider-foundation-launches-new-logo-to-celebrate-500-coastal-victories). *Surfertoday* (Press release). August 23, 2018. Retrieved August 21, 2019.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Ratings_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Ratings_2-1) ["The Surfrider Foundation"](https://20811975.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/20811975/2022-Annual-Report.pdf) (PDF). *Foundation Center*. Retrieved August 3, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Staff_3-0)** ["Our Team - Staff"](https://www.surfrider.org/our-team/staff). *Surfrider Foundation*. Retrieved October 27, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Volunteers_4-0)** ["The Surfrider Foundation"](https://20811975.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/20811975/Publications/Surfrider%20Foundation%202022%20Form%20990%20-%20Public%20Disclosure%20Copy.pdf) (PDF). *Foundation Center*. Retrieved August 8, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Whiting, Sam (January 22, 2026). ["Rob Caughlan, Surfrider Foundation leader and coastal access advocate, dies at 82"](https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/rob-birdlegs-caughlan-dies-21307239.php). *San Francisco Chronicle*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Harrah, Jennifer. ["Surfrider's 2024 Beach Cleanup Report: Clean Beaches, Clear Solutions"](https://www.surfrider.org/news/surfriders-2024-beach-cleanup-report-clean-beaches-clear-solutions). *www.surfrider.org*. Surfrider Foundation.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Liszewska, Magda (July 16, 2025). ["The Surfrider Foundation Releases Its Annual Beach Cleanup Report"](https://shop-eat-surf-outdoor.com/press-releases/the-surfrider-foundation-releases-its-annual-beach-cleanup-report/609791/). *Shop Eat Surf Outdoor*. Emerald X.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Fimrite, Peter (June 22, 2014). ["Surfers sue over blocked beach access"](http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Surfers-sue-over-blocked-beach-access-4349486.php). San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved July 27, 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Xia, Rosanna (October 1, 2018). ["U.S. Supreme Court declines to take Martins Beach case — a win for California's landmark coastal access law"](https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-martins-beach-supreme-court-20181001-story.html). *Los Angeles Times*. Retrieved August 4, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Trestles Has Been Saved (For Good, This Time)"](https://www.surfer.com/news/trestles-has-been-saved-for-good-this-time). *Surfer*. 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["San Francisco becomes testing ground for battle over California coastal protections"](https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/coast-housing-wiener-18624806.php). *San Francisco Chronicle*. 2024.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_12-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_12-1) Hicks, Angelina (July 31, 2024). ["Environmental Groups Say Saving Train Tracks Harms San Clemente's Beaches"](http://voiceofoc.org/2024/07/environmental-groups-say-saving-train-tracks-harms-san-clementes-beaches/). *Voice of OC*.

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Surfrider Foundation](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Surfrider_Foundation).

[Surfrider's Five Key Initiatives (Mission)](https://www.surfrider.org/mission)

[Surfrider Campaigns](https://www.surfrider.org/campaigns)

- [Official website](http://www.surfrider.org)

- [Know Your H2O program and The Cycle of Insanity Film](http://www.knowyourh2o.org/)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Surfrider Foundation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surfrider_Foundation) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surfrider_Foundation?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.