Surfrider Foundation Europe

About us

The Surfrider Foundation is a collective of positive activists who take concrete action on the ground every day to pass on a preserved ocean to future generations.

Our mission: to speak out loud and clear on behalf of the ocean!

Discover the 2024 annual report

The history of Surfrider

Founded in 1990 by surfing enthusiasts driven by an unconditional love for the ocean, Surfrider Foundation Europe is much more than just an association.
It embodies an international community united around an essential mission: to protect the ocean, including waves and coastlines, lakes and rivers, from numerous environmental threats.

For more than thirty years, Surfrider has established itself as a key player in the protection of aquatic environments.
Its recognised expertise is based on three essential pillars: the fight against pollution from waste, particularly plastic waste; the preservation of the quality of aquatic ecosystems in order to limit health risks; and the management of coastal risks in the face of the growing effects of climate change.

Surfrider Foundation Europe is part of an international network with a presence in the United States, Brazil, Japan, Canada, Argentina, Australia and Morocco.
This global network facilitates the exchange of knowledge and the pooling of initiatives.
In Europe, Surfrider Foundation, headquartered in Biarritz, relies on a dynamic network of around fifty local groups spread across twelve European countries.

Since 2023, the association has adopted a federal model that aims to consolidate its actions across Europe. This development is accompanied by increased support for existing entities in Spain, Germany and the Netherlands, as well as the creation of a new entity in Portugal. These initiatives increase Surfrider’s impact within European Union Member States and contribute significantly to regional and international environmental issues.

Surfrider is driven by the belief that every individual can become an agent of change.
With citizen mobilisation at the heart of its DNA, the association combines concrete actions in the field, such as waste collection and participatory science campaigns, with active engagement with public decision-makers to drive environmental policy change.
At the same time, it works with businesses to promote more responsible and sustainable practices.

By bringing citizens, businesses and institutions together around a common cause, Surfrider is committed to protecting the ocean and its riches for future generations. Its goal is clear: to build a healthier world where aquatic ecosystems and the communities that depend on them can thrive sustainably.

Our values

Surfrider works every day to protect the ocean. This quest for balance, where our needs are not met at the expense of the environment, is what guides its fundamental values. Convinced that preserving the ocean is inseparable from the well-being of the communities that depend on it, Surfrider works towards a sustainable model where humans and nature coexist in mutual respect and shared prosperity.

Sincerity

Surfrider acts with authenticity and transparency, remaining true to its convictions. Sincerity guides every action and commitment of the association, creating a relationship of trust with all those involved in protecting the ocean.

respect

Surfrider strives for harmonious coexistence between humans and nature. Respect for ecosystems and people is at the heart of its actions. Nature must not reclaim its rights; it is up to humans to grant them by humbly and respectfully keeping their place within nature.

Sharing is a core value of Surfrider, which strives to include everyone in the fight for a healthy ocean. The association values diversity and active participation, so that protecting the ocean is a collective and universal commitment.

Freedom

Surfrider defends the freedom to express oneself and take action in favour of nature. This freedom also extends to the ocean itself, which must be able to evolve and thrive without being threatened by human pressures.

requirement

The association sets high standards to ensure the effectiveness of its actions. Surfrider is committed to always seeking the best solutions to protect the ocean, adopting a rigorous and ingenious approach.

pleasure

Pleasure is at the heart of Surfrider’s commitment: living in harmony with the ocean, sharing unique moments in contact with nature, and transforming every action into an enriching and positive experience.

Surfrider committed to a rigorous CSR policy

Surfrider Foundation places exemplary behaviour at the heart of its approach, convinced that sustainable environmental and social transformation must first and foremost be reflected in its own practices.
In 2021, the association marked a turning point by commissioning an in-depth audit of its social responsibility and an assessment of its carbon footprint.
This ambitious initiative, carried out with the ‘Positive Company’ label, enabled it to measure its impact and set concrete objectives for improvement, resulting in the award of a 2-star CSR label (out of 3).

Based on this assessment, Surfrider worked with all the association’s stakeholders to develop a roadmap structured around the three fundamental pillars of social responsibility: Environment, Social and Governance (ESG).
These pillars guide the actions implemented to align its internal practices with the values it defends in the field.

In the environmental field, Surfrider is taking action to reduce its daily ecological footprint. For example, the association has introduced composting guidelines, collaborated with Tree6Clope to recycle cigarette butts, and organised workshops to raise awareness of zero waste and eco-friendly digital practices.

Initiatives such as creation of a permaculture garden by employees reinforce the collective commitment to ecological transition.

On a social level, Surfrider has made well-being at work a priority. Employees have been trained in psychosocial risks, which are now taken into account in annual appraisals and the induction process, as well as in NVC (Non-Violent Communication).
The association is also committed to inclusion, as demonstrated by the signing of the Diversity and Respect Charter by all members of the organisation and the introduction of Duo Day to promote the professional integration of people with disabilities.

Finally, governance has helped to strengthen gender parity and improve decision-making processes.
Surfrider has continued to train its teams in shared governance, developed new training modules and clarified the responsibilities of the various strategic bodies.

Transparency, inclusion and environmental responsibility are the pillars of this CSR policy, which reflects the association’s deep commitment to a more sustainable world, in line with its mission to protect the ocean and the ecosystems that depend on it.

Our ambassadors