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  Back Row (L-R): Jason Latos

SURFRIDER FOUNDATION HONORS 2010 WAVEMAKERS

 

San Clemente, CA (February 7, 2011) – On Saturday, the Surfrider Foundation’s Board of Directors and Staff gathered at Irons in the Fire in San Clemente to honor the 2010 Wavemakers.

 

This annual awards ceremony honors individuals and companies for their outstanding volunteer efforts and support during the previous year to help the Foundation fulfill its mission of protecting oceans, waves and beaches.

 

The Surfrider Foundation congratulates the 2010 Wavemaker Award recipients:

 

Coastal Impact Award

Katherine Nguyen & Juli Schulz

Both Katherine and Juli have displayed outstanding efforts to make a positive impact on our coasts and oceans. They were instrumental in leading the West LA-Malibu Chapter’s victorious efforts in the recent Los Angeles County Bag Ban, which will be the largest municipal single-use plastic bag ban in the U.S., affecting more than 1 million people in unincorporated LA County.

 

As part of their work on the West LA Malibu RAP campaign they began a “teach the teacher” method of educational outreach that presented to almost 20,000 people in 2010. Additionally, both women have been active in the California RAP network and were active participants in the battle for the barely-failed statewide legislation AB 1998.

 

Outstanding Contribution Award

Know Your H2O Film Crew – Drew Albenze, Marty Benson, Laura Clapper, Jesse Pattison, Zuleikha Robinson & Belinda Smith

“The Cycle of Insanity: The Real Story of Water” is a 20-minute video that is a key component of Surfrider’s Know Your H2O program. It was created through a collaboration of Surfrider activists from several chapters, including the San Diego, West LA/Malibu and Ventura chapters.

 

The video connects the impacts of our current water management system to coastal issues and offers common sense solutions to illustrate how we can make progress toward sustainability in water and wastewater management.

 

Chapter Leadership Award

Rob Nixon – South Texas Chapter

Rob has shown time and again his commitment to strengthening the network of Texas Chapters and the effectiveness of their environmental endeavors.

 

He is a leader in his Chapter on the pressing coastal issues affecting South Padre Island, including beach parking access and coastal preservation fights. Additionally, he has been a tremendous asset in organizing grassroots support throughout the state for the Texas Open Beaches Act.

 

Development Award

Jason Latos

Jason hosted Surfrider’s first “salon” event in NYC at the UBS offices in Manhattan. He invited 25 of his friends, colleagues and clients who were not previously associated with Surfrider to introduce them to the organization – thereby increasing our pool of prospects in NYC.

 

He also worked to arrange a meeting for a representative from EarthShare with officials from UBS, resulting in Surfrider receiving a $10,000 Access Incentive Award.

 

Environmental Activism Award

Stiv Wilson

Stiv has become a Rise Above Plastics warrior/educator. Two years ago he gave up his daily 9-5 job to join the 5 Gyres Expedition and research marine plastic pollution. His reports from the gyres have been informative and educational.

 

In addition to the research he is conducting, he has also worked diligently to spread the RAP message to the entire Surfrider Chapter network as well as the general public.

 

Distinguished Service Award

Ken Palley – Santa Barbara Chapter

Ken has been an outstanding chapter activist in Santa Barbara for approximately 15 years. He served as chapter secretary for a number of years, and he was chapter chair for 3 years.

 

Today, he continues to work tirelessly on the Preserve Gaviota Campaign, serves as a Chapter representative for the Naples Coalition, and has given infinite hours of his time as a volunteer at beach clean-ups, tabling opportunities, and other chapter events.

 

Corporate Partner Award

Saatchi & Saatchi

For the last five years, the Surfrider Foundation has employed Saatchi & Saatchi Los Angeles (SSLA) as its creative agency of record.

 

Over the course of this partnership, SSLA have developed several renowned creative campaigns, including “Trash Billboard,” “Farmers Market,” and “Friends Helping Friends” all of which have won various awards, including the coveted CLEO award. SSLA has also worked to raise nearly $100,000 for Surfrider through a partnership with Toyota Motors. Most impressive of all, SSLA has provided all of its services pro bono.

 

Surf Industry Partner Award

Billabong

For the last eight years, every piece of Billabong labeled product has been shipped with a small hangtag encouraging customers to support the Surfrider Foundation. The company has also provided t-shirts for the majority of Surfrider’s membership promotions and they have supported many of the organization’s events, including Surfrider Foundation’s 20th Anniversary Auction and Gala, International Surfing Day and the Save Trestles campaign. As if this support weren’t enough, since 2001 Billabong has contributed over half a million dollars directly to the Surfrider Foundation.

 

About Surfrider Foundation

The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of our world’s oceans, waves and beaches through a powerful activist network. Founded in 1984 by a handful of visionary surfers in Malibu, California, the Surfrider Foundation now maintains over 60,000 members and 100 chapters worldwide. For more information on the Surfrider Foundation, visit www.surfrider.org.

 

Photo courtesy Surfrider Foundation