Surfrider Foundation’s mission is the protection and enjoyment of the ocean, beaches and waves for all people. Surfrider Foundation focuses on five pillars: clean water, coastal preservation, plastic pollution, ocean protection and beach access. Surfrider Pacific Rim, which operates on the central west coast of Vancouver Island, is a direct action nonprofit organization, whose volunteer network provides thousands of hours of donated time to the betterment of the community in this region. Surfrider is not an exclusive club for surfers, Surfrider is for all individuals who depend on and love the coastline and ocean. We welcome everyone. 

Surfrider provides education, advocacy and action on the issues the community cares most about. We always encourage community members to share concerns and ideas they would like to work on with us. If these ideas fit within Surfrider’s mandate and strategic plan, we can give advice and provide solutions, and in some cases, create campaigns and programs. Since 2016, we have had countless residents voice their concerns over plastic pollution and waste management on the west coast. In response to this and the global plastics and climate crisis,  this is where we have been directing our focus. Since 2016, we have won numerous coastal victories on plastic pollution, have grown to be one of the largest Chapters in the Surfrider network (total 84 Chapters), and have removed over 50 tonnes of marine debris from Clayoquot and Barkley Sound, including from First Nation’s territories and from surf breaks.

Surfrider Foundation works on beach access when public beaches become privatized, by corporations or wealthy individuals. Surfrider works with decision-makers to ensure full and fair beach access for all to enjoy. Across the Pacific Rim, there is no lack of beach access, with 15+ surf breaks across Tofino, the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve and Ucluelet. Furthermore, Surfrider stands in solidarity with all Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations who have closed their territories due to COVID-19. With this, in accordance with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Surfrider recognizes and respects that Indigenous peoples have sovereignty over and rights to the lands, territories and resources which they have traditionally owned, occupied or otherwise used or acquired. Indigenous peoples have the right to own, use, develop and control the lands, territories and resources that they possess.

Surfrider Pacific Rim does not condone any surfer, or any other person in breaching these closures in order to access beaches. This means we will not advocate for anyone to breach these closures and endanger First Nations communities. Surfrider also recognizes that we are in a global pandemic with travel restrictions in place, and that we all need to do our part to keep each other - especially vulnerable and marginalized populations, safe.