Our Chapter

The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to the protection and preservation of our world’s oceans, waves and beaches through a powerful activist network. Founded in 1984 by a handful of visionary surfers, the Surfrider Foundation now maintains over 50,000 members and 83 chapters across the United States and Puerto Rico, with international affiliates in Australia, Europe, Japan and Brazil

The South Sound Chapter of Surfrider serves the Tacoma, Gig Harbor and the southern Puget Sound region. We are an entirely volunteer run chapter consisting of 6 Executive Committee members. We are surfers, beach-goers, paddlers, divers, and those who simply love our marine waters and beaches in Washington State.

We are always looking for volunteers and have volunteer opportunities available! Table an event, collect water samples, install an ocean friendly garden, help reduce single-use plastics in Tacoma, or clean up your local beach. Just contact us or check out our Facebook page for upcoming events!

Monthly South Sound Surfrider Sessions
Plastic Free Holiday Challenge & Social**
Thursday, December 8th, 6:30-8 pm
Devil’s Reef, Tacoma WA (Look for the Ocean Friendly Restaurant sticker)
706 Court C, Tacoma, WA 98402

**Optional invitation to participate in the plastic free holiday gift exchange. Share a favorite recipe, an experience, or a beach glass treasure – anything NOT plastic. $15 limit

We meet on the second Thursday of every month, to share our work and how you can get involved. Each meeting typically will have a guest speaker so stay tuned for topics of interest. We will also have other fun updates including upcoming beach cleanups and events. Our meetings are open to the public. Check the South Sound Surfrider Facebook Page for the most up to date information!

https://www.facebook.com/SouthSoundSurfrider

Our BWTF is one of our main volunteer-powered programs, and rain or shine our Community Scientists collect samples throughout the year at 11 South Sound sites to provide critical water quality information to protect public health at the beach, raise awareness of local pollution problems, and bring together communities to implement solutions.

Our BWTF Community Scientists test for elevated levels of enterococcus, which is a is fecal bacteria generated by both humans and animals that is generally not harmful. However, when levels are too high, it can indicate the presence of more dangerous microorganisms and viruses. Every month, September through May, volunteers with the South Sound Surfider Chapter monitor water quality at local recreation sites in the area. Samples are currently collected at ten sites on the second Tuesday of the month to get a snapshot of enterococcus levels in our local waterways. AKA, if swimming in poo is not for you, take a look at this link for local water quality results. From this link, you can also download a full CSV file of the data taken over the years to look at trends. You may notice that if we get a high reading, the sites are retested. We sample on the second Tuesday of the month, so stay tuned for March results entered at the end of the week. And of course, a big cheers to the many volunteers who make this sampling possible including folks from the Harbor WildWatch team and the Science and Math Institute!

Water Quality Results: https://bwtf.surfrider.org/explore/29

Monthly Beach Cleanups – Look for the blue Surfrider tent and flag!
Check the South Sound Surfrider Facebook Page for the most up to date information! https://www.facebook.com/SouthSoundSurfrider

December 10, 12:30-2:30pm @ Owen Beach
5605 Owen Beach Rd, Tacoma, WA 98407

January 14, 2-4pm @ Tacoma Narrows Beach Park
1502 Lucille Pkwy NW, Gig Harbor, WA 98335

February 11, 1-3pm @ Chambers Bay
6320 Grandview Dr W, University Place, WA 98467

Rain or shine, dress for the weather! We encourage you to bring your own bucket and gloves for the cleanup, but we will have some spares to share. Please be sure to wear boots or appropriate footwear, and bring hydration in a reusable container. Our cleanups are welcome to individuals of all ages, schools clubs, Scouts, friends, family, and coworkers. This is an excellent way for students to earn service hours.

Beach cleanups are a fun and easy way to volunteer your time by helping to keep our beaches and oceans clean!
See you at the beach!