Global Forum for Sports and Environment
Surfrider Europe
Surfrider Foundation Europe is part of Surfrider International, a 60,000 member strong organization with affiliates in Europe, USA, Japan, Brazil, Australia, Argentina, Canada, and New Zealand. Surfrider is the only ‘grassroots’ organization of its span to represent the ‘ocean community’ that includes surfers, swimmers, windsurfers, kite boarders, sailors, fishermen, divers and other ocean enthusiasts that participate in aquatic and marine activities. Surfrider Europe alone encompasses 25 local and national chapters, with more than 1000 active volunteers at the heart of their communities. These volunteers contribute to programs established across Europe (France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Switzerland etc.) but also overseas including Reunion Island, Tahiti, the Caribbean, and a number of African countries, such as Morocco, Senegal and Mali. Surfrider works in Europe on 3 major campaigns on Water Quality : The organization has established two laboratories in France, in Marseille and Biarritz, with the function of testing the bacteriological quality of bathing water and water sport areas throughout the year. This data supplements the existing network of information on the bacteriological quality of coastal waters, informs Surfrider members and relevant authorities about water quality, exposes contamination and promotes a dialogue on water quality issues. To promote awareness on water quality issues to a diverse audience, Surfrider uses a range of multimedia tools, such as traveling exhibitions, videos, TV ads, audio tools and online games, showing impressive surf images and eco-citizen messages to educate the young audience on water management issues. ‘Waves and Coastlines’ is Surfrider Foundation Europe’s latest educational program, featuring a 220m2 multimedia exhibition dedicated to water management, protection of the oceans and coastlines, and encouraging eco-friendly citizenship. The exhibition has been running since April 2004 across France. In 2 and a half years, it has received more than 50,000 visitors and close to 10,000 students. Since 1995, Surfrider has also organized a massive beach cleaning operation across Europe and various African countries during the first weekend of Spring. In March 2006, tens of thousands of volunteers participated in hundreds of beach cleaning operations. To find out more about Surfrider Europe, see http://www.surfrider.fr or contact contact@surfrider.fr LINK : |
Surfrider Foundation Europe is a non-profit organization created in Europe in 1990 by the 3-time World Surfing Champion, Tom Curren. The organization is dedicated to protecting our oceans, waves and beaches, and has been granted national recognition in France for its educational and environmental programs.