Emerald Coast Chapter to Lead Volunteer Monitoring Efforts

The Emerald Coast Chapter is continuing to monitor our Florida Panhandle beaches for ongoing impacts of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. As of the end of December, the Florida DEP and U.S. Coast Guard have completed their monitoring programs. It’s now up to the public and volunteers to report oiling, tar balls, and tar mats. Here’s a bit more information on our Vice Chair, Susan Forsyth’s volunteer efforts:

Susan Forsythe with the Emerald Coast Surfrider Foundation, a nonprofit environmental organization dedicated to the protection of the ocean, waves and beaches through an activist network, has spent 3,000 hours volunteering to monitor beaches from Bay County to Baldwin County, Ala., and documenting and reporting tar balls to the NRC since the oil spill.

She said she and other members will stay vigilant in that mission. They also are looking into recruiting other beachgoers to help fill the void left by DEP.

“We are talking with the Coast Guard, and they said they would have a training session with locals from the beach community and train them to know how to identify MC-252 oil,” she said. “It has a distinct color and look.”

Surfrider will alert the public when and if this training materializes.

Click here to read the full article. The Chapter is looking for volunteers to help with their monitoring efforts. To find out how you can get involved or to learn more, please contact Vice Chair Susan Forsyth.

Volunteer Spotlight!

Our very own Vice Chair, Susan Forsyth, was featured as the Surfrider Foundation Florida Chapter Network Volunteer of the Month!

Every Surfrider chapter has a core of volunteers who, when asked, will step up and get things done. If a chapter is fortunate, like the Emerald Coast Chapter, they may also have a leader who understands what needs to happen and makes it so, long before most folks would even notice the opportunity. In the Emerald Coast Chapter, this person is Susan Forsyth.

Susan first joined our chapter at the very onset of the BP oil disaster. She found our chapter in a state of emergency, desperately attempting to learn about the disaster and hopeful that we could protect our friends, families and beaches. Like many, she was dismayed at the shortcomings of local, State, and Federal disaster response. Rather than simply worry, complain, or try to ignore the impending crisis, Susan immediately embraced the opportunity to engage.

Click here to read about her many accomplishments!

Kid’s Surf Classic 2014

UPDATED: July 29 – 10:36pm

In the event that we don’t have a ridable wave, you will still want to come out for a morning of fun in the sun. Pack your cooler, bring some shade and don’t forget the sunscreen. Activities start at 8am and go until 11am. Beach games, music and more will be theme of the day.  Those that register will still receive their Kid’s Surf Classic t-shirts. Extra shirts are available while supplies last. Only 60 have been ordered.

Get Ready for the 3nd Annual Kid’s Surf Classic

When: August 2, 2014 (rain date is August 3, Sunday)

Time: 8am until champions are crowned

Location: June White Decker Park (near Back Porch restaurant) (Map)

Age Divisions: Super Grom (8 and under), Grom (9 to 13), Exceptional Surfers (Autism Surfs)

Cost: $25 – includes event t-shirt.

REGISTER FOR THE EVENT

You can also support the Emerald Coast Chapter with a donation.
DONATE NOW

About The Event

The Emerald Coast Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation, is stoked to announce the 2nd annual Kid’s Surf Classic. It’s a surfing contest just for kids! For many it will be a first time surfing experience and for some, a chance to show off their skills. For all involved, parents and children alike, it will surely be a great time on the beach. Need a surfboard? We will have a variety of longboards, shortboards, and fishes available for use. Need help catching waves? Have a parent assist you in the line-up, or we’ll provide a surfing expert to help get you into some waves.
More Details

International Surfing Day 2014

International Surfing Day is this Friday, June 20, 2014! Join others who love surfing and clean beaches at any of the local International Surfing Day activities.

• Fluid Surf Shop is hosting a pot luck-BBQ and gathering at Okaloosa Island Access #7.
• Dog House Surf Shop is hosting a SUP paddle out at Okaloosa Access #2.
• Our Emerald Coast Chapter will also gather at the Blue Mountain Beach Access for a late afternoon and sunset gathering.

Surfrider members, friends of the ocean, and family are all welcome to every event. If you are not a member, ISD is a great time to join or renew with special promotions going on!

JOIN NOW

Chapter Meeting & Training!

You are invited to an Emerald Coast Chapter Meeting. This meeting is open to members and non-members.

Date and Time

The meeting will be held on Thursday February 27, 2014 at 5:30 to 6:30pm CT.

Details

Join us as we renew our commitment to the protection and enjoyment of our surf and beach. We will discuss ongoing volunteer efforts and training. We will especially welcome your great ideas for new projects!

Location

The meeting will be held in the SoWal Library conference room.

Dial In

You can dial in using the following dial–in number: (712) 432-1212 with Meeting ID: 601-256-663#

Kid’s Surf Classic

Welcome to the 2nd annual Kid’s Surf Classic.

When: July 20, 2013 (rain date is July 21, Sunday)
Time: 8am until champions are crowned
Location: June White Decker Park (near Back Porch restaurant)
Age Divisions: Super Grom (8 and under), Grom (10 to 13)
Cost: $25 – includes event t-shirt

About

The Emerald Coast Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation, is stoked to announce the 2nd annual Kid’s Surf Classic. It’s a surfing contest just for kids! For many it will be a first time surfing experience and for some, a chance to show off their skills. For all involved, parents and children alike, it will surely be a great time on the beach. Need a surfboard? We will have a variety of longboards, shortboards, and fishes available for use. Need help catching waves? Have a parent assist you in the line-up, or we’ll provide a surfing expert to help get you into some waves.

The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to the enjoyment and protection of beaches for everyone. All profit from the contest goes to fund local Surfrider chapter campaigns. With your registration, you will be saving beaches around the world while playing and having a great time on your own beach.

WHEN
July, 20, 2013 (Rain date, July 21)
This event is limited to the first 60 registered. Day of the event registration will open at 7am. The first heat will begin at 8am. We expect the event to finish no later than 2pm.

WHERE
Destin, Florida — June White Decker Park. Located just east of the Back Porch Restaurant.

AGES
All kids, 13 and under. There will be two divisions, 8 and under, and 9 to 13 year olds.

Registration

Kid’s Surf Classic is Coming

Kid’s Surf Classic 2013 is coming this June 22nd in celebration of International Surfing Day. Check out this video of last year’s event and get ready for some exciting beach fun.

Emerald Coast Surfrider Presenting Oil Research Findings at NIEH Consortia

Surfrider volunteers are participating in the National Institute of Environmental Health Deepwater Horizon Research Consortia this weekend in New Orleans. We will be presenting our research findings. We have three essentials goals. -Educate the scientific community regarding the long term toxicity of BP oil and dispersant on our beaches. -Encourage the further study of health impacts with a dermal absorption study researching the passage of dispersed oil through the skin. And finally, – Highlight new research and advocate for removal of toxic dispersants from the list of approved oil disaster response methods.

Deepwater Horizon Research Consortia www.niehs.nih.gov

Surfrider Volunteer Opportunities for 2013

Still thinking about that New Year’s resolution?  How about a pledge to actively support your community and protect the beach you love? Surfrider Emerald Coast will be working on several great projects this year.  Each project is done by volunteers just like you…Regular folks who have decided to work together and do extraordinary things!

On deck for the first half of the year will be the following events:

February-  Log Jam, Surf contest at Pompano Joe’s

April-May-  Surf School, mentoring program

May-  Electric Mayhem, electric vehicle show

June-  International Surfing Day

If a project you are interested in is not listed, just say the word and we can get it going.  There are opportunities to lead campaigns for Beach Clean-Ups, Eco-Friendly Gardens, Rise Above Plastics, Ban the Bag, -all of these and more are ready for a passionate member to step in and crank it up!

So now, what’s your New Year’s Resolution gonna be?  Pump iron at the gym for a few days… or maybe pump up our beach for a lifetime or two of enjoyment!  You can always do both!

Happy New Year!

(-Use this contact button to send us a line about which project you would enjoy helping with!    –If you are commitment shy, you can easily help out by simply sharing a link to this post on any social media site- Facebook, Twitter, etc.)

Beach Spooktacular! -Saturday Oct 27th

Join Surfrider on the beach for a spooky good Halloween event.  We will meet at Pompano Joe’s restaurant in Destin from 10-2pm on Saturday Oct. 27th.  Enjoy a sand castle building contest. Bring your carved pumpkin for judging. There will be other fun games and a quick beach clean-up for the kids to participate in.  We’ll have prizes for the talented folks and a good laugh for everyone for sure! Bote Paddle Boards will provide stand up demos and a fun race.  Nothing to be sacred about! Kids even eat for free thanks to Pompano Joe’s.  And to top it all off, Pomp’s is making a donation to Surfrider just to thank us all for always taking care of our beaches.