Elisabeth Calvete-Dugast

Surfrider Foundation Europe

Our mission : Protection and sustainable management of the coastline Surfrider Foundation Europe is a non profit organization, dedicated to defending, saving, improving and managing in a sustainable manner the ocean, coastline, waves and the people who enjoy them. From its creation, efforts have been concentrated on coastal issues, but today our scope of interest and involvement is spreading to related areas of lakes and rivers. Originally, surfers… Created in 1990 in Europe (Biarritz, France) by surfers, including 3-time World Surfing Champion Tom Curren, the organization brings together today about 1500 volunteers, 8000 members, about 40 local chapters, and more than 40 000 supporters in Europe. Surfrider Foundation is a global network of regional organizations and local chapters present in many countries and on every inhabited continent (USA, Europe, Japan, Australia, Latin America,…). It started in 1984 in Malibu, California, where surfers aimed to protect their favourite surf spots from local pollution. Today, an Ocean community in a broad sense Surfrider Foundation Europe brings together people from all walks of life, with a common passion for the ocean and dedication to caring for the coastline. No matter how you enjoy the coastline (sporting, bathing or walking), if you feel the need to act in order to save your coastline's natural heritage, then you can start by joining the Surfrider Foundation. Its distinguished members include several sports and other well-known personalities.