Top ten reasons to become a member > #1 There is strength in numbers

"A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead's words ring true today as the day she said them.

Membership in Surfrider Foundation is a step in this direction.

We all know that it's easy to disregard the wishes of one person. We all also know that it's nearly impossible to ignore a large group of people.

Surfrider's mission is successful all over the United States and around the world because of this simple point: there is strength in numbers.

The photo below illustrates this point and we'd like you to join Surfrider and help us drive this point home further. If you value our oceans, waves and beaches. Join us in protecting them.

Micro-volunteer for Rise Above Plastics

It will take me longer to to explain this than it will for you to execute it.

In fact, it took me only one minute to execute this application.

Here's the background: anyone that has followed this blog knows that I like to talk about onramps to our mission. An onramp is a way for people to connect to our mission... that is, it's a way for people to plug in.

I also like the idea of making the initial ask a very small one, a micro-ask. If I was a stranger standing behind you in a line for coffee and asked to borrow $5 you'd think, "No way, I don't even know this person." But if I asked for 5 cents, you'd be stoked to offer it to me. This is because it's a small ask. A micro-ask.

Surfrider has announced a new onramp in the form of an iPhone app. This won't be our last and it won't be our most comprehensive. If you have an iPhone you can find the app called "the extraordinaries" at the App Store. Download it (it's free).

You'll be asked who you want to follow, pick Surfrider. You're ready to go.

As you can see from the screen to the right, we've created an application that feeds into our existing Rise Above Plastics campaign.

Our goal is simple, build a photo-library of single-use plastic trash we see as we're living our lives.

Click on the "Photograph discarded single use plastics..." and you'll be taken to your camera.











Take a picture of the discarded plastic.






















You'll be asked to add some comments.






















And map where you found the trash (which is done automatically as every iPhone has GPS embedded).





















And you're done!

Eventually we'll tag this data with what type of single-use plastics are in the image and since the map data is already embedded, we'll be able to sort through our library. For instance, we could search "plastic bags in Oregon" and have some interesting images and data to share.

It might be a micro-volunteer action but we're macro-stoked that you've plugged into our mission.

Music outreach program > live where people live > onramp to our mission

If you want to connect with people, live where they live.

Literally go to the places that people go, and make a connection.

Another way to say this is don't build a website and think people will come to you... they won't. Instead go to where they already are... Find a way to stream your messaging into their family and friends' Facebook updates.

Instead of popping up a table/booth at your own event and expecting people to stop by, pop up a table/booth where they are already going... like the 9:30 Club in Washington, DC.

This brings me to the Music Outreach Program.

I love it.

"The Music Outreach Program is a partnership between the San Francisco, CA and Washington, DC Surfrider Chapters, and the live music community. Chapter activists set up outreach tables at shows, and talk with live music fans about the Surfrider mission."

I believe it was Nicole Parisi-Smith that spearheaded this effort and it makes perfect sense to me. She loves music. She connects with Surfrider. The intersection is already so logical, so why not connect the two?

Nice onramp.

Live where people live. Connect with them there.

Waves as big as your imagination

By a random series of coincidences I found myself flying into Oahu just as Waimea Bay was exploding. I used to think of myself as a surfer... now I'm not so sure.

Image: New York Times

Ocean Beach outer reefs

This picture was sent to me this morning from Steve Chess in San Francisco. He shared that the surfer in the foreground is 400 - 500 yards from the (long lens) camera... that wave on the horizon is about two miles away.

Oahu: Keep keeping country country

I just came back from "Talk Story 2." The second in a series of community forums regarding the future of Turtle Bay on Oahu's north shore.

To better understand the Turtle Bay issue I suggest going to the Defend Oahu Coalition site, the Keep the North Shore Country site and the Trust for Public Lands site. I've also posted a link to a video below.

I was struck by two things at this community gathering.

First, this fight exemplifies the long view and multi-generational view required for long-term success. Twenty years ago Peter Cole and a handful of others were fighting to keep country country. I captured that story a few years ago in this Peter Cole podcast. Tonight I sat there and two decades later Peter Cole is still engaged. The great news is that so are many others.

A little girl was running around, not following the multi-hour dialog. I sat there thinking back to what Peter had told me about this 20+ year fight and I was connecting the dots to this little girl. She, and her peers, are the ones that are going to be called to take this fight and keep it alive. One thing is for sure, once people stop fighting to preserve the north shore's essence it WILL be lost.

Second, we sang. I should preface this point with the fact that the meeting wasn't overly contentious. This was the case because pretty much all of the developer representatives and government officials didn't show. They were were supposed to participate in this dialog and engage with the locals and instead they did something that is uncalled for... they no showed. The government officials snubbed the very people they are supposed to be representing. The developer representatives simply underscored their complete lack of respect for local views. Still, there were clear divisions in the room. There was some tension. Yet after the meeting drew to a close we, maybe 70 of us, gathered in a very large circle and... sang. I can't remember ever singing at the end of a meeting like this. Most times the different contingencies huddle in their respective corners and lick wounds... or brag about how savvy their arguments were. We sang. I'd love to let you know the song we sang but it was in Hawaiian.

What hit me like a ton of bricks was that the Hawaiian culture is a stunning gorgeous one. It's also one fighting for their rights, they are fighting to preserve their land. They are fighting to be heard. It was a memorable meeting. I was honored to be there.

Video on the Turtle Bay issue here.

Malibu changes it's name to Malipoo

OK... no they aren't. But check out the factoids below... maybe they should.

These were the driving forces behind the Clean water at the 'Bu campaign.

42% of groundwater comes from septic systems, and 92% of that makes it to the beach.
Source: November 2009 septics hearing presentation by the Regional Water Quality Control Board staff (in Malibu Creek area)

Surfrider Beach violated bacteria TMDLs (total maximum daily loads) 76 times in 2008, 64 times in 2009. Yuck.
Source: From Heal The Bay’s presentation during the November 2009 septics hearing

Malibu only had 21 weeks of polluted water compared to the Santa Monica Pier which had 29 weeks of failed water quality.
Source: Statement made by the city of Malibu during the City of Malibu’s presentation at the November 2009 septics hearing

Los Angeles County had the worst overall beach water quality in the state last year, with Malibu's Surfrider Beach ranking eighth on the report's list of "Top 10 Beach Bummers" in all of California, or beaches receiving an overall "F" for year-round dry weather. Source: Malibu times

All these facts make the recent win so notable. The LA Regional Water Quality Control Board voted 5-2 to ban new septic systems in central and eastern Malibu, and force existing ones to halt wastewater discharges by the year 2020.

Clean Water at the 'Bu may finally be on the horizon. More on the victory here.