welshkate

First published in the Willamette Kayak and Canoe Club Newsletter, Spring 2007. 

I caught up with a friend of mine, Charlie Plybon, who is the Oregon Field Coordinator for the Surf Rider Foundation and asked him to answer a few of my questions related to this organization. 

Kate: What is the Surfrider Foundation and what is it’s mission?

Charlie: The Surfrider Foundation is a grassroots, non-profit, environmental organization that works to protect our oceans, waves, and beaches. The Surfrider Foundation was founded in 1984 and is composed of a network of 60 chapters located along the East, West, Gulf, Puerto Rican, and Hawaiian coasts. Our mission as a non-profit environmental organization is a dedication “to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s oceans, waves and beaches for all people, through conservation, activism, research and education.” 

Kate: What do you think that Surfrider Foundation has to offer kayak surfers?

Charlie: Surfrider promotes the right of low-impact, free and open access to the world’s waves and beaches for all people and Surfrider acts to preserve this right of access. The key word being all people. Most kayak surfers care a great deal about beach access and their right to enjoy the beach. Another primary principle of Surfrider is a dedication to enhancing wave-riding opportunities in ways which will not adversely impact nearshore ecosystems. Many kayakers are environmental stewards, people who really care and value their nearshore resources and the ecosystems that exist there. Being involved with Surfrider is a way to help protect and enhance your recreational activities locally through stewardship, conservation and activism. 

Kate: If I want to check the ocean (or poop factor)  conditions before I go surfing- how do I do that? 

Charlie: You can check the weather, swell conditions, etc from links on Oregon’s homepage www.surfrider.org (these are just links to the most popular forecasting and current conditions websites). Also you can check out the water quality for many areas if you go to www.surfrider.org Select from the chapter drop down menu (Oregon) and then select what beach from the drop down menu on the next page. The most current test is listed at the top with a red, yellow or green indicator. Even if a beach hasn’t been tested on the day you wish to surf, you can still look back at historical samples to get an idea of how clean the beach is.

Kate: How do I become a member and what will Surfrider Foundation do with my donation?

Charlie: Becoming a member is quick and easy. Surf our website at www.surfrider.org and select “become a member.” Be sure and check out the Oregon page to find your local chapter. If you indicate what chapter, a portion from your membership will go directly to that (your) chapter. When you join, you are helping the Surfrider Foundation confront water pollution, beach access, beach loss and other serious concerns facing your beach.  

Kate: Is Surfrider Foundation a national program? If so, where are the nearest chapter meetings held and how often?

Charlie: Yes, Surfrider Foundation now has over 50,000 members in the USA; in addition, International Surfrider Foundation chapters and affiliates have been established in many foreign countries including the Surfrider Foundation Europe (with ongoing programs and Chapters in France, Germany, Spain, Portugal and Italy) as well as Japan, Brazil, andAustralia. In Oregon, we have two very active chapters (Newport and Portland). We also have an extensive network of volunteers and coastal activists throughout the entire state that function without the support of a chapter. The chapter meetings are posted on the Oregon Surfrider website calendar of events. 

Kate: I enjoy many aspects of beach life and would like help out with Surfrider Foundation. How can I get involved with volunteering with sampling, beach cleanups, or other activities?

Charlie: Contact me @  cplybon at surfrider.org or by contact information below. Also sign up for a membership of surfrider at www.surfrider.org.

Charlie- thanks a lot for taking the time to answer my questions and I hope to see you in the surf soon!

Charlie and his dog, Bleu, in South Beach Marina, Newport. Photo by Cristen Don