Central Coast Branch launch ‘Clean up the coast’ campaign
On Sat 28th February local members of Surfrider teamed up with the crew and grommets from the Avoca Boardriders for a beach clean up.
Ben Smith Central Coast Branch President said that numerous industrial sized garbage were filled with rubbish and large plastic items such as broken chairs and plastic crates were sent to landfill.
“Of particular concern is the state of the rock fishing platform at Avoca,” he said.
“It is littered with bait bags, plastics and even human faecal matter.”
“It is disturbing to see the complete disregard and contempt that people who use this area show for our marine environment.”
The Central Coast Branch hope to educate people to clean up after themselves and to remind them that the ocean is not a rubbish tip.
“Don’t destroy what you came to enjoy…”
The Branch plan to team up with other boardrider clubs and continue their campaign along the coast.
If you would like to help or for more info…
Ben Smith
Central Coast Branch President
M: 0409 693 205 E: qben_8@bigpond.net.au
Surfrider volunteer makes top 20 of Take Care Ambassador
Voting time for the Garnier Take Care Ambassador has started. One of your own has made it into the top 20 in Australia but to get into the top 10 they must be voted in. Click this link and vote for Sally Atkinson from Surfrider Foundation Australia Sunshine Coast.
And the winner is…
Congratulations to our Wave of Support competition winner Ben Hedrick from Albury.
Summer days
sunshine rays,
Pristine beaches sun bleached sand
wave of support i lend my hand.
Protect the beauty we love the surf
the greatest privilege we have on earth.
Perfect waves every now and then
paddle out and do it all again.
Need everyones support such an important one,
to continue enjoying this water fun.
ocean dips
surf trips
Riding waves
happy dayz.
Join the Wave of Support
Thanks for joining our Wave of Support to protect our waves and beaches.
Australia’s coastline is one of the largest and most pristine in the world with the vast majority of us living along it. As surfers, families, mums, dads and kids, we’re activists engaged with environmental issues that affect this coastline. We are a grass roots organisation of 25 branches who work together both locally and nationally to achieve our goal – the protection of waves and beaches.
It is important to us that you join our Wave of Support as without it we would not be able to continue our work.
We have been successful in many campaigns including the banning of oil drilling in the South West of WA (Margaret River), opposition of inappropriate developments including surf clubs, boat ramps and groynes that would have a huge impact on dune erosion, loss of surf breaks and loss and damage to important marine life all around the coast. This is just to name a few.
Just by entering the comp and becoming part of our community will help us with our campaigns.
You will receive our newsletter 4 times a year and receive some great membership offers if you decide to join.
You will also be able to have your say about anything that affects your local beach and know someone will help.
Good Luck!
Bringing back Kirra
Restoring the big groyne at Kirra Point is now a clear possibility.
We need your help.
We hope you’re still as passionate about bringing back Kirra as we are.
The $1.5M Kirra Beach Restoration Project initiated by the 2009 Australia Day Kirra Paddle Out has $0.5M left and is looking for public feedback.
Kirra Point Incorporated (KPI) has worked with the Queensland government on this project to fix Kirra’s surfing & beach amenity. So far the excavation works (Stages 1 & 2) have improved the beach but made little impact on the surf quality at the point or uncovering Kirra Reef. We’re advised by the project manager that restoring the groyne will be considered and negotiated with Gold Coast City Council and KPI if an overwhelming response is received.
Restoring the Big Groyne to its original form will help scour the sand build up north of the groyne, re-align the banks and shoreline and bring back the world class wave that worked so well before. No geo-textile bags please, they’re not permanent and won’t withstand repeat major storm events.
This is our only formal opportunity to date to get this issue on the table, it may not come again. Takes a minute to complete the online form at
Here’s the response KPI submitted, copy-paste if you’re busy surfing…
Q1. How successful do you believe Stages 1 and 2 of the Kirra Beach Restoration Project have been in restoring Kirra Beach?
A. Minimal impact on restoring the surf at Kirra Point, but has improved beach amenity.
Q2. What long term options do you believe should be included for further investigation in Stage 3 of the Kirra Beach Restoration Project?
A. Extend the Big Groyne at Kirra Point to its original dimensions (prior to 1996 removal) with basalt rocks to improve surf quality and restore Kirra Reef ecology. Improvements to the groyne walkway and foreshore to be conducted by council after groyne restoration.
We only have until 30 November 2011 to be considered so please get on it fast
Forward this info on to everyone in your address book, go viral…the more submissions the better.
Stoked that you’re a part of bringing back Kirra,
Kirra Point Incorporated
www.kirrapoint .org
SA Branch Position Statement on KI Surf Music Festival 2011
The South Australian Branch of Surfrider Foundation Australia (Surfrider Foundation SA) have considered all concerns raised by the general public, members and volunteers of Surfrider Foundation SA. These concerns have been considered against Surfing South Australia’s (Surfing SA) proposed event coordination and associated management. Further to this, Surfrider Foundation SA have been in contact with relevant stakeholders both government and non government, including Birds Australia, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and Surfing SA.
Surfrider Foundation SA has posed several questions to Surfing SA, all questions highlighted by interested parties, regarding the environmental concerns and policies associated with the Kangaroo Island Surf Music Festival run by Surfing SA. We acknowledge all points of contact and thank Surfing SA for reviewing our questions, providing a written response and offering and attending a recent Surfrider SA committee meeting to address our concerns.
Liaising with professional organisations, both government and non-government, and the individuals involved in providing professional advice and consultation for the event, Surfrider Foundation SA are confident in the knowledge and expertise provided to Surfing SA, aimed at ensuring no or minimal impact on the fragile coastal environment as a result of the 2011 Kangaroo Island Surf Music Festival. Again, Surfrider SA have listened to the concerns of surfers both for and against the event, and discussed these views. Generally, most surfers appear supportive of the event.
Surfrider Foundation SA believes it is in the best interest of both the coastal environment and the public to take a proactive and positive approach to the 2011 Kangaroo Island Surf Music Festival. Surfrider Foundation SA’s proactive and positive approach to the event will continue as long as event organisers strictly adhere to all constructive, professional advice and recommendations provided. As this event is the first of a 3-year program, Surfrider Foundation SA’s position will be reviewed, having the potential to change this position following the 2011 event. Surfrider SA also proposes a post event de-briefing with stakeholders to assess any proven positive or negative outcomes associated with the event. From this debrief, Surfrider SA believe any future events at Vivonne Bay be based on knowledge gained and shared from the 2011 Kangaroo Island Surf Music festival. Future decision making processes could be based on such meetings to appease environmental concerns associated with similar future events.
Surfrider Foundation SA has and will continue to provide advice and support to Surfing SA to ensure positive environmental outcomes are achieved while preventing irreversible damage to the coastal environment. Several volunteer members will be in attendance at the 2011 Kangaroo Island Surf Music festival, offering any assistance or advice in an informal capacity. Managed correctly, Surfrider Foundation SA believes the event has the ability to raise awareness in the greater community regarding the environmental importance of South Australia’s coastal environments.
On behalf of the Surfrider Foundation Australia South Australian Branch
BL’s Blast Off 2011 results and snapshot
Snapshot of ‘BL’s Blast Off’ presented by Hurley 2011
301 kids participated
Monday September 26th Pittwater Council suggested there were 3000 spectators at Palm Beach for the first day of BL’s Blast Off 2011.
Every day was conducted at a different break. The first 3 days were at Palm Beach. Day 1 was held at the Southern corner, Day 2 was North of the pavilion at the South end, and Day 3 at North Palm Beach. On the finals day we moved to North Avalon.
We held simultaneous heats on two banks for the first 3 days – the waves were perfect for the kids in the 2-4ft range with great shaped lefts and rights on both banks and offshore winds.
The final day at North Avalon was bigger with 5ft sets and perfect conditions, although very challenging for the smaller kids in the 6s and 8s divisions, it was a surprise to everyone that the micro groms and their parents actually ventured out the back charging waves that were at least 3 times over their heads and barrelling.
With their entry into Blast Off every participant received a years membership to The Surfrider Foundation and $6.00 from every entry fee was donated giving $1,842.00 to Surfrider on behalf of BL’s Blast Off 2011.
Chilli Surfboards & Board Bog made up the hardware and repair hub of BL’s Blast Off 2011. Each day of the event Chilli had 15 plus demo boards, Board Bog mechanics were there to instantly fix any dings, and Future Fins were on hand to hook the grommets up with a world first demo of their new super-grom fins.
Streetboardz were there everyday with demo boards, and the groms especially loved the tarp surfing.
The lucky draw winners (2 boys and 2 girls) each received a ‘Dragon’ or ‘Streetboard’, and the winners of boys & girls 6’s received a ‘Dragon’ in their prize bag.
Action Sports Ready were on hand to introduce their online training tool to all the kids, and Amazon Power provided them with the super food Acai to power them through the day.
Our Tuesday evening celebration “Blast Off Idol” presented by Skullcandy including the presentation of the “Keenest Groms Awards” was a raging success. It was held at Palm Beach RSL with a full house on hand to watch the kids show off their other talents. 1st place went to Banjo Hunt for his version of the ACDC classic “TNT” closely followed by India Thornton, & in 3rd was Luka Reentz.
Every division finalist won Hurley products, Skullcandy headsets, Board Bog, and a ton of other goodies from our sponsors. Each division winner also received a brand new ‘Chilli’ Surfboard. The first 3 places in every division also won a gold, silver or bronze medal featuring unique Blast Off artwork.
World Champions Layne Beachley, Rabbit Bartholomew, Damien Hardman, Laura Enever and Terry Richardson all hung out at the Blast Off with the kids.
We held the Hurley/ Electric/ Beach Without Sand Monday evening BBQ and team signing. The BWS shop at North Avalon was packed to the rafters, we gave away a heap of prizes, the kids got autographed posters signed by team riders and everybody enjoyed a free BBQ.
On Wednesday we held the ‘Fantasea’ Palm Beach to Blast Off Whale Spotting Cruise where people could enjoy the scenic ride on a Fantasea ferry out through the heads and to the Blast Off event site at Palm Beach. This is the 4th year we have offered this opportunity to see our beautiful area from the sea for free.
The ‘Beecraft Blast Off Scholarships’ is for the boy and girl who BL believes shows the potential to be a future pro. The 2011 recipients were 12 year old Billie Melinz from Stanwell Park and 13 year old Chris Zaffis from Angourie, both kids received $500 worth of coaching with BL courtesy of Beecraft.
In 2011 BL’s Blast Off donated $5,162.00
$1,100.00 to the Disabled Surfers Association
$1,842.00 to The Surfrider Foundation
$2,000.00 to the Palm Beach SLSC
$ 220.00 to the Avalon SLSC
BL’s Blast Off continued to pay its respect to the Indigenous people of Australia by teaching the kids Koori dance with Terry Olsen. This year in conjunction with www.coastalwatch.com BL’s Blast Off is able to provide a platform for the promotion of the Aboriginal Medical Service Redfern for their website and assist with the development of a donations page.
The Blast Off print partner Surfing World Magazine provided advertising in two issues – a single page in August and a double page in September 2011. They also provided editorial coverage. The event had print media coverage via articles in The Manly Daily, Pittwater Life, Peninsula living, Byron Bay News, & other regional newspapers.
FUEL TV will air a 6 minute story on high rotation for the month of December 2011.
Coastalwatch.com was again Blast Off’s online partner providing banner ads and promotion for the event. We also got extensive web coverage from sites such as Bluesnapper.com, waxheads.com, surfingnsw.com.au & Surfrider.org.au
youtube.com has Blast Off stories from every year since 2006 and the 08, 09, 2010 Blast Off FUEL stories.
BL’s Blast Off 2011 would like to thank…..
Hurley
Board Bog
Skullcandy
Electric
Action Sports Ready
Amazon Power
Fantasea
Streetboardz
Chilli Surfboards
Beach Without Sand
Coastalwatch.com
Fuel TV
Surfing World Magazine
Native
Beecraft
Please see results below.
For more info..
BL’s BLAST OFF 2011 RESULTS
BOYS 14s
1st JACKSON GILES
2nd CHRIS ZAFFIS
3RD JARED HICKEL
4TH LLIAM MORTENSEN
5TH KALANI BALL
6TH SAM BOND
GIRLS 14s
1ST CALI McDONAGH
2ND HOLLY WAWN
3RD TESS MAWSON
4TH TIANA REID
5TH JEMIMA HUTCHINS
6TH RUNI-JANE LATHAM
BOYS 12s
1ST KYUSS KING
2ND LUKE WRICE
3RD KEHU BUTLER
4TH SANDON WHITTAKER
5TH MITCHELL RAYMOND
6TH JACK MURRAY
GIRLS 12s
1ST ALYSSA LOCK
2ND KIANI DOBBYN
3RD KOBIE ENRIGHT
4TH BILLIE MELINZ
5TH ALYSSE COOPER
6th BELLA WILTON
7TH KIARA MEREDITH
BOYS 10s
1ST MIKEY McDONAGH
2ND KEANU MILLER
3RD KARNE BLACKWELL
4TH LACHLAN FOSTER
5TH CONNOR LEE
6TH KAYA HORNE
GIRLS 10s
1ST KIRRA-BELLE OLSSON
2ND MACY CALLAGHAN
3RD BODHI LEIGH-JONES
4TH CHARLI ALLPORT
5TH HOLLY WILLIAMS
6TH PIPER HARRISON
BOYS 8s
1ST ZAYNE OLSSON
2ND LENNOX CHELL
3RD JOEL VAUGHAN
4TH TANE DOBBYN
5TH KAI BLACK
6TH EMERSON RAPER
7TH ETHAN PRESTAGE
8TH RIVER HOBBS
GIRLS 8s
1ST SUMMA LONGBOTTOM
2ND CEDAR LEIGH-JONES
3RD CLAIRE BIERKE
4TH EVIE COULTER
5TH LUCY GREEN
6TH MILLI ALLPORT
BOYS 6s
1ST KOBI CLEMENTS
2ND COREY LAWSON
3RD WINTER VINCENT
4TH LENNIX SMITH
5TH RASMUS KING
6TH TAANE MITCHELL
GIRLS 6s
1ST KEIRA BUCKPITT
1ST ELLIE HARRISON
2ND MARIA-GABRIELA SPAKE
4th MADISON DAVIDSON
4TH JOCELYN SELLAR
5TH MARLI DODSON
Notice of 2011 Surfrider Foundation Australia Annual General Meeting
Notice of 2011 Surfrider Foundation Australia Annual General Meeting
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF SURFRIDER FOUNDATION LIMITED WILL BE HELD AT GNARABAR, 1 RESORT PLACE, GNARABUP (MARGARET RIVER), WESTERN AUSTRALIA ON SUNDAY 12TH OF NOVEMBER 2011 COMMENCING AT 10.00 AM.
BUSINESS
1. Registration
2. Opening of Meeting
3. Apologies Received
4. Chairman’s Report
5. Directors Report
6. General Managers Report
7. Finance Report
8. National Awards · Supporter of the year · Campaign of the year · Branch of the year · Volunteer of the year · Appreciation Certificates
9. Audit Report
10. Adoption of AGM 2010 Minutes and Business Arising
11. Election of Directors
12. Notice of Motion
13. General Business
14. Proposed Venue for 2012 AGM and National Education Conference
15. Closure
Campaign images win award
A series of campaign shots taken for a Leo Burnett and Surfrider Foundation Australia campaign has seen Sydney-based photographer Adam Taylor take out the Advertising Photographer of the Year at the International Photography Awards (IPA).
To read more…
Want the coolest job on the coast?
We are offering two of them. Both jobs at Surfrider HQ in the beautiful Avalon, Sydney. It is an exciting and rewarding place to work, as you play a key role in protecting Australia’s waves and beaches.
Operations Manager (30 hrs/wk)
The Operations Manager reports to the Board as the senior employee responsible for running our National Office. This is a challenging and rewarding role, requiring excellent administrative and management skills.
Applications close October 7th 2011.
Partnerships Manager (20 Hrs/wk)
The Partnerships Manager is responsible for building relationships with donors, sponsors, government and grant bodies, and developing related marketing and environmental campaigns with our branches. You will hit the ground running and make the role your own.
Applications close October 14th 2011.
Surfrider is a NFP environmental organisation with 25 volunteer based branches across Australia and is an equal oppoortunity employer.
The office is in the amazing Coastalwatch building shared with other surf entities like Surfing World, Surf Aid and all just 100m from the Avalon surf breaks.
These two roles replace the role of General Manager which has been held by Kristy Theissling for the last two years.
For more info and how to apply …
APPLICATIONS HAVE NOW CLOSED…
