The Surfrider Foundation is a U.S. 501(c)(3) non-profit environmental group that works to influence others to protect oceans and beaches.

History

The Surfrider Foundation was created in Malibu, California, in 1984 by a small group of surfers who wanted to protect their local surfing spot at Malibu Point. For several years, the group worked to support causes until 1991, when the first chapters of the organization were formed. Rob Caughlan was the president of the foundation from 1984 to 1991.

In their 2025 report about the year before, the Surfrider Foundation reported that it collected 365,000 pounds (166,000 kg) of trash with the help of 40,000 volunteers. Of the trash collected, 83% was made of plastic, and 32.5% was small pieces of plastic. The most common items found were cigarette butts.

The foundation played an important role in the effort to open Martin's Beach in San Mateo County, California. This case was decided in 2018, when the United States Supreme Court refused to allow Vinod Khosla to appeal the decision.

Starting in 2005, the Surfrider Foundation worked with other environmental groups to stop the building of a 6-lane toll road that would have gone through San Onofre State Beach, the Donna O'Neil Land Conservancy, sacred lands of the Acjachemen people, and the San Mateo Creek Watershed. On September 25, 2020, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a law called AB1426, which banned the construction of any roads that might harm or encroach on state beaches, ending the long fight over this issue.

In 2024, the Surfrider Foundation opposed a law that would have made it harder for the California Coastal Commission to stop the building of homes in already developed coastal areas.

In 2024, the Surfrider Foundation also asked for the closure of the Pacific Surfliner rail line, which runs next to the shoreline in San Clemente. The foundation said the rail service had a negative effect on the environment and needed to be studied fully for its environmental impact.