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The Surfrider Foundation

We're a community of everyday people who passionately protect our playground - the ocean, waves, and beaches that provide us so much enjoyment.

100% Protection of Our Coastlines

Our model is to engage environmental experts to create solutions, unite local and national resources to protect the coast, and leverage our local chapter network’s knowledge with a national perspective.

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Our ocean, waves and beaches are everything. Let’s save them.

Who We Are

Our model is to engage environmental experts to create solutions, unite local and national resources to protect the coast, and leverage our local knowledge with a national perspective.

Our History

The First Coast Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation was founded in 2002 and spans the First Coast of Florida, from the Georgia border to the end of Anastasia Island. This includes the coastal counties of Nassau, Duval, and St. Johns, as well as the inland counties on the lower basin (northern most section) of the St. Johns River: Clay and Putnam. Major population centers include Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island, Jacksonville and the Jacksonville Beaches, and Saint Augustine and surrounding beaches.

However, anyone who appreciates the ocean and beaches (of the First Coast or otherwise) is welcome to join.

Our Executive Committee

Eli Cunningham
Chair
chair@firstcoast.surfrider.org

Frank Werner
Vice Chair
vicechair@firstcoast.surfrider.org

Justin Wiggins
Treasurer
treasurer@firstcoast.surfrider.org

Danielle Chism
Secretary
secretary@firstcoast.surfrider.org

Nicole de Venoge
Blue Water Task Force (BWTF) Coordinator
bwtf@firstcoast.surfrider.org

Jacob Marchese
Volunteer Coordinator
volunteercoordinator@firstcoast.surfrider.org

Jennifer Atlee
Ocean Friendly Restaurant (OFR) Coordinator
ofr@firstcoast.surfrider.org

Our Core Values



The Surfrider Foundation believes that getting outside and engaging with the natural world, especially the ocean, waves and beaches, is inspiring, supports healthier lifestyles, improves productivity and ultimately creates a better culture.

1. Honor the mission.

Surfrider is dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s ocean, waves and beaches for all people, through a powerful activist network. At the center of every action we take is our mission, our grassroots structure and local perspectives. We aim for positive impact and measurable results on behalf of the communities that we serve.

2. The beach is fun and Surfrider should be, too.

Surfrider comprises people who love the ocean, work hard to protect it, and need to enjoy it as part of keeping advocacy gratifying and fun. We are optimistic about the future of our ocean and coasts because our volunteers make a positive difference every day.

3. We are open and inclusive.

Our ocean, waves and beaches belong to all of us, and we welcome all who are interested in joining our movement. Through our principles of Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI), we seek to engage and represent the communities that we work in, and tosupport, create, foster and champion diversity at all levels within our organization.

4. We cultivate leaders.

We believe that the most effective way to build a coastal protection movement is to provide leadership opportunities for our volunteers. By cultivating their voices and skills, we are preparing the next generation of coastal defenders to lead within their own communities.

5. We are problem solvers.

We are solution-oriented. Surfrider applies science, critical thinking and innovation to assess problems and develop practical long-term solutions that protect our coasts.

6. The Surfrider is yours to create.

The Surfrider culture is defined by the people who show up with a love of the ocean and care deeply for its well-being. Through science, community and respect, we are people who joyfully take on the challenges before us. Our culture is one of selflessness, sharing, and bringing people together to achieve Surfrider’s mission.