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Published by The Surfrider Foundation
The Surfrider Podcast dives beneath the surface of today's most pressing coastal environmental issues. Each episode takes you beyond the headlines to explore the compelling stories behind Surfrider's mission to protect our ocean, waves, and beaches — from the plague of plastic pollution to the coastal impacts of climate change. Join us as we spotlight the extraordinary people who power Surfrider's environmental work: dedicated volunteers making a difference in their communities, passionate advocates fighting for policy change, and everyone in between who's making waves to protect our ocean. Listen now to discover the deeper currents of change at work at the Surfrider Foundation, and learn more about how you can get involved at www.surfrider.org
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In 2005, a proposed six-lane toll road threatened to pave through and destroy San Onofre State Beach and its world-famous break, Trestles. This episode reveals how the Save San Onofre Coalition, Surfrider Foundation, and the Acjachemen Nation joined forces to stop it — protecting a coastline shaped by nearly 10,000 years of Indigenous history. Host David Scales talks with Surfrider's Coastal Adaptation Manager Alex Ferron Mignogna, Acjachemen Nation Tribal Chairman Nathan Banda, and longtime California State Parks lifeguard Steve Long about how a grassroots coalition took on a multi-billion-dollar highway project — and won. But saving Trestles from asphalt didn't end the fight. Today, San Onofre faces chronic coastal erosion, a forecast "Super Niño" winter, and the countdown to the 2028 LA Olympics, where Lower Trestles will host the world's best surfers on a global stage. This episode explores Surfrider's nature-based solutions for coastal resilience and what's at stake for public beach access and tribal cultural resources, and how you can help protect Trestles for generations to come.
A "Super El Niño" is building in the Pacific, and forecasters warn the 2026–27 winter could bring some of California's most powerful storms, highest seas, and worst coastal erosion in decades. But the greater long-term threat isn't the waves — it's how we respond to them. Surfrider CEO Dr. Chad Nelsen and Dr. Charles Lester, director of UC Santa Barbara's Ocean and Coastal Policy Center, unpack what makes this El Niño so strong, and what back-to-back storms could mean for a coast where up to 70% of beaches are at risk of disappearing by 2100. This conversation centers on the knee-jerk reaction to armor shorelines with seawalls and revetments — and the "coastal squeeze" that quietly erases the beaches in front of them. Our guests explain why emergency armoring is the wrong answer to a disaster we can see coming, and make the case for pragmatic coastal adaptation. It's a clear-eyed, hopeful look at how Californians can protect their public beaches and coastal access, before the storms hit.
In this episode, join the Surfrider Foundation's Healthy Beaches Program Manager Jenny Harrah and Plastic Pollution Initiative Sr. Manager Miho Ligare as they break down the data behind the organization's 40-year beach cleanup program — including the 2025 Beach Cleanup Report, which tracked the efforts of 34,000 volunteers at over 1,000 cleanups to remove 340,000 pounds of trash from beaches across the U.S. This conversation explores why plastic pollution accounts for 85% of what's collected, why cigarette butts remain the #1 item found nationwide, and how Surfrider's volunteer-collected data, powered by the Better Beach Alliance, is used to drive meaningful change in environmental policy and legislation. Plus, learn how anyone can host their own beach cleanup, even without a local Surfrider chapter nearby. Visit https://www.surfrider.org/pages/beach... to learn more and get involved now!
Sun protection is important to protect your health, but depending on what type of sunscreen you use, it could also be harming marine life while also exposing you to chemical sunscreen ingredients. Y In this episode, we're joined by Katie Day, Surfrider's Senior Manager of Science and Policy, to unpack the concerning science behind the active ingredients in chemical sunscreens that are shown to be toxic to marine ecosystems, and have been proven capable of permeating into the deeper layers of your skin and entering your bloodstream. Our conversation explores why the FDA recommended removing chemical UV filters from its "generally recognized as safe and effective" list back in 2019, and why that final ruling still hasn't been issued. We also get into what "reef safe" actually means, why Hawaii and the U.S. Virgin Islands have banned certain chemical sunscreens, and why protecting coral reefs — which cover just 1% of the ocean but support 25% of all marine life — is more urgent than ever. The good news: making the switch to a healthier option for you and the ocean is simple. Give this episode a listen to dive deeper, and visit surfrider.org to prepare for summer beach days with Surfrider's Reef-Friendly Sunscreen Guide .
Clean water is essential for healthy beaches, but across the country, aging infrastructure, population growth, and climate-driven storms are pushing our wastewater systems past their limits. In this episode, we're joined by Surfrider's Clean Water Initiative Associate Director, Mara Dias, and Blue Water Task Force Volunteer Mitch Milligan to dig into what's really behind the rise in sewage spills and beach bacteria hotspots from coast to coast. Surfrider's Blue Water Task Force is on the front lines, turning community science into actionable data to help the public understand a simple truth: just because the water looks clean doesn't mean it is. Through hands-on water quality testing and advanced DNA tracking, Surfrider volunteers are connecting the dots between upstream infrastructure failures and downstream health risks, all while building community support to drive real solutions. It's a story about local action with national impact, and a reminder that your local water quality is just as important as your weather forecast when planning your next beach day — so visit https://www.surfrider.org/ programs/blue-water-task-force to check the latest water quality data to keep you and your family safe, because no one should get sick from a day at the beach.
Legendary pro surfer Rob Machado is widely regarded as one of the most influential and stylish surfers of all time. But Rob's relationship with and impact on surfing and the ocean run much deeper than his professional career. In this episode, Rob shares about his deep family roots in Southern California and traces his personal journey as an ocean advocate — from taking water samples for Surfrider's Blue Water Task Force as a high school student in Cardiff to founding the Rob Machado Foundation, which has installed water refill stations across San Diego County schools and eliminated millions of single-use plastic bottles. In this wide-ranging conversation, he opens up about the competitive mindset that took him to the pinnacle of the world tour, why that famous high-five with Kelly Slater at Pipeline actually deepened his connection to what surfing should be, and how becoming a father shifted his priorities from tour life to environmental stewardship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode, we're joined by Surfrider's Ocean Protection Manager, Pete Stauffer, and Surfrider's CEO, Dr. Chad Nelsen, to learn more about what will happen next in the complicated and consequential offshore oil drilling process unfolding now that the initial public comment period has ended. We also discuss what obligation, if any, the federal government has to listen to and "consider" the overwhelming popular opposition to its expansive offshore drilling plans, which are putting over 1 billion acres of our ocean and coasts at risk. Join us to learn more about how your local beach could be affected, who ultimately pays the price when oil spills happen, and what comes next in Surfrider's fight to protect our coasts from offshore drilling. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Despite federal environmental rollbacks and budget cuts to NOAA and EPA, the Surfrider Foundation secured more than 40 coastal victories in 2025 — proving that grassroots activism and community-level action can still deliver real results for ocean protection. CEO Dr. Chad Nelsen and senior staff Emma Haydocy and Miho Ligare reflect on groundbreaking wins, including the completion of the 30-year Surfers Point coastal adaptation project and the Climate Action Program's restoration of 20+ acres of coastal habitat with the help of over 2,000 volunteers. The team also shares how Ocean Friendly Restaurants served 42 million single-use plastic-free meals, and Surfrider brought the plastics crisis to international negotiations in Geneva, Switzerland. But 2026 brings urgent new threats. The Trump administration is proposing to open the coasts of California, Florida, and Alaska to new offshore drilling — sparking bipartisan opposition from coastal communities across the country. With federal protections crumbling and a January 23, 2026, public comment deadline looming, this episode breaks down what's at stake and how you can take action at surfrider.org . Whether you're concerned about beach erosion, plastic pollution, water quality, or climate change impacts on your favorite coastline, discover how Surfrider's network of volunteers, chapters, and policy experts is protecting the beaches you love — and how you can join the movement . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires didn't just devastate communities — they unleashed a cascade of toxic contamination into Southern California's coastal waters. When flames consumed over 16,000 structures in the Palisades and Eaton fires, they created a new environmental crisis: ash, heavy metals, PFAS chemicals, and hazardous debris washing directly into the Pacific Ocean. In this episode, we are joined by Eugenia Emacora, Surfrider's LA Chapter Manager, and Mara Dias, Senior Manager of Surfrider's Water Quality Initiative, to dive deep into Surfrider's critical efforts to protect public health and the marine environment by conducting frontlines post-fire water quality testing and keeping the local community informed. We examine what contaminants are actually in the water, what the data reveals about safety for swimmers, surfers, and marine life, and how Surfrider is advocating for transparency and environmental protections during the complex federal cleanup process. This episode explores how communities can build coastal resilience through nature-based solutions. Whether you're a concerned beachgoer, environmental advocate, or coastal community member, this episode provides essential information about navigating water safety in the aftermath of urban wildfires — and how Surfrider's network of local activists is fighting to protect the coasts we all love. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
When half of America's beaches could vanish by 2100, what's the solution? Join Surfrider's Climate Action Program Manager Carla Avila-Martinez and Coasts & Climate Initiative Sr. Manager Emma Haydocy as they reveal how Surfrider's network is restoring America's coastlines using nature-based solutions like planting mangrove forests, removing invasive plant species , and restoring coastal dunes. This episode also features Paul Jenkin, the dedicated campaign leader who spent decades fighting to save Ventura's iconic Surfers' Point — and won. Listen now to discover why working with nature beats fighting against it, how Surfrider's grassroots activists are leading coastal climate adaptation projects nationwide, and what your community can do to protect local beaches from rising seas and extreme weather. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode, we explore Surfrider's decades-long campaign against offshore drilling and the devastating environmental costs of our dependence on fossil fuels with Surfrider CEO Dr. Chad Nelsen and Surfrider's Ocean Protection Manager, Pete Stauffer. We also hear from Violet Sage Walker, the Chairwoman of the Northern Chumash Tribal Council — nominators of the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary — and learn about her multigenerational connection to the California coast, and her Tribe's battle to protect our ocean and beaches from the harms of offshore drilling, dating back to a 1969 oil spill in Santa Barbara. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Over 40 years ago, a group of surfers from Malibu, California, were concerned about escalating coastal development at their favorite surf spot, and they took action. In this episode, we hear from Surfrider's co-founder Glenn Hening, world champion surfer and Surfrider's first ambassador Shaun Tomson, and current CEO Dr. Chad Nelsen to explore the motivation behind and the evolution of Surfrider's environmental mission to become the world's most impactful grassroots coastal and ocean conservation organization. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Montauk, known locally as "The End," is a historic fishing village at the eastern tip of Long Island that boasts some of the finest surf beaches on the East Coast — many now threatened by serious water quality and beach erosion issues. In today's episode, we speak with Taylor and Liev Schreiber, exploring their special connection to the town, the ocean, and their long-standing support of Surfrider's coastal conservation mission. We'll also spend time with Surfrider's Water Quality Initiative Senior Manager and Montauk local Mara Dias alongside Surfrider CEO Dr. Chad Nelsen to learn more about the environmental challenges facing Montauk's coastal community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Tijuana River is poisoning San Diego residents. Every day, millions of gallons of untreated sewage, toxic chemicals, and trash are crossing the international border, and the problem is spreading to an increasingly greater area of San Diego County. In today's show, we talk to Surfrider's Clean Border Water Now Program Manager Sarah Davidson, Doctor Kimberly Dickson, who is treating local residents for medical conditions related to the pollution, and Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre, to learn why Surfrider is calling on the Trump administration to declare a national emergency which is essential to containing and correcting what is rapidly becoming the biggest public health crisis in America. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ranking source
Apple Podcasts rankings via the Mato Topic Intelligence Platform.
Observed September 20, 2026. Cached outside the daily freshness window; the positions keep the date they were taken on.
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