At September’s chapter meeting these members self-nominated and were seconded for inclusion in the executive committee nominations:

• Erin Handy
• George Arco
• Danny Barley
• Tamil Singh

The Executive Committee is composed of 7 members. The positions include Chairman, Vice Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary, Volunteer Coordinator and two open slots for whatever the chapter needs (we typically make these Environmental Coordinator, Outreach Coordinator or Special Events Coordinator). There are obviously a few more slots to fill and more if we’d like to hold nominations versus just placing the willing and able!

Surfrider Foundation By Laws state that to vote, you must be a current Surfrider Foundation member and you must be physically present at the meeting. All nominations require members to self-nominate, be seconded and then voted on by the chapter. If you are an active Surfrider member that has been to at least three Surfrider events (meetings, fundraisers, cleanups, etc.) in the past year, you are eligible to run.

To quote are most inspiring member, Paulie, “Let’s make it happen!” Now is the time for fresh talent from motivated individuals.

Total members in attendance: 19
Guest speakers: Felicia Boyd of WAV/St John’s Water Management District
Presiding Chairperson: Rhea Drysdale

SEPTEMBER 2008 CHAPTER BUSINESS

New member recognition:
There were four new members in attendance who were recognized and were given the opportunity to introduce themselves.

Upcoming Events:

• International Coastal Cleanup will be held on 9/20/2008. Surfrider is scheduled to meet at Oceanfront Park at 8:00AM and work until 10:00AM. Volunteers are needed.
• The Surf Expo will be held September 12-14th in Orlando. Volunteers have been designated to help man the Surfrider booth at the event.

Guest Speaker:

• Felicia Boyd of WAV:
  Our speaker, Felicia Boyd, spoke with us about the WAV program and updated us on outreach events they will conduct in local area schools like the Science Nights we participated in last year. She also talked about their storm drain marking program and asked for volunteers to help with a marking event that First Coast Surfrider will be partnering with them on later in the year. After concerns expressed from chapter member Nathan Arnold about illegal dumping of oil from a Jacksonville Beach restaurant, the question of storm drain tagging was brought up. The chapter wants to help canvas the beaches to ensure that all drains have a clearly marked tag. Since their original installations, many have disappeared or had damage. Felicia also spoke with regards to the upcoming International Coastal Cleanup.

Recap of Past Events:

• Sisters of the Sea BBQ:
  Erin Handy updated us on the Sisters of the Sea contest, which had superb waves and the cookout, which we helped sponsor. The event brought in nearly $725.00 and was attended by about 150 people. Much thanks was given to Mojo’s Kitchen who donated the food as well as The American Legion who made the space available and donated the bartender. Thanks to Erin, Ed Cronin and Val Zevins who helped make it a success.

Other:

• Rhea provided insight for the new members as to events and activities that our chapter is involved with during the year as well as historical references.
• Rhea announced that she and Brad will be relocating to NY soon and unfortunately they will not be able to stay on here with the Chapter.
• She also announced that it is time for the election of the new board for the coming year. Nominations were taken and others will be made prior to the next meeting. At that time the new EC will meet and elect the new board. If you would like to be on the EC, please contact us with your interest. The only requirements are that you be an active Surfrider member and have attended at least three events in the past year, which can include meetings, cleanups, fundraisers, etc.

Next meeting:

• Our next meeting will be held at the same venue and time on the second Monday of October.

Sisters of the Sea and Surfrider’s End of Summer BBQ

This Saturday, September 6th from 6:30pm-late, Mojo Kitchen presents an End of Summer BBQ with Sisters of the Sea and First Coast Surfrider!

Location: American Legion Post 129, 11th Ave South and 4th Street in Jacksonville Beach

$5 Donation, proceeds benefit Bosom Buddies, includes soda/water and raffle ticket to win a Mystic Surfboard. Cash bar for those of age. All ages welcome!

Don’t miss the 10th Annual Sisters of the Sea Surf Classic earlier in the day at the Jacksonville Beach Pier!

Chapter Meeting - Monday, September 8th at 7pm

Location: Fionn MacCool’s in Jacksonville Beach

Agenda:
It’s that time of year again, time to elect fresh faces to the Executive Committee. If you’d like to be considered, you need to attend the next chapter meeting where names will be nominated, seconded and added to the ballot for October’s election. In order to run all you need is to be a member in good standing (active Surfrider membership) and have attended at least three events in the past year (meetings, cleanups, expos, etc. count).

We’ll keep this meeting short and sweet. Housekeeping, nominations and then we’ll break into groups to tackle special issues. No speaker this time, but thank you to John Hearin for an incredible presentation at last month’s meeting on artificial reef construction. If you missed it, you can grab the presentation here: http://www.asr-america.com/index_files/Projects.htm

The Surf Expo in Orlando, FL is September 12th-14th

Want to attend the Surf Expo? Volunteer for the Surfrider booth!

It is a 2 hour requirement for entry. No one under age 16. Contact Erin Handy for details, email: volunteer@surfriders.org She needs your name, age, day available (fri, sat or sun) (AM or PM), and contact info. Deadline for volunteer sign up is Monday, Sept 8th.

Expo Booth Number: S1113. Grab more info about the expo here: www.surfexpo.com

Take Qigong classes on Jacksonville Beach!

Experience the benefits of the ancient art of qigong (pronounced Chee-Gung) Sunday September 28th at 8am at the Florida Blvd beach access. This is free and open to the public with a beach cleanup following the 45 minute class, a $5 donation is greatly appreciated and all proceeds benefit the First Coast Chapter of Surfrider.

What will I do in a Qigong class?
A typical class consists of breathing exercises, movements & postures, meditation & visualization.

For more information please contact Meredith Woodard, email: meredith.woodard@gmail.com or phone: 318-3789

Moved from 7/14 to Monday, July 21st

Same place, same time. Monday, July 21st at 7:00pm at Fionn MacCool’s in Jacksonville Beach. It will be a relaxed meeting. We’ll discuss the Friends of Huguenot Park, past events and the upcoming Fall calendar. Grab a cool pint on a hot summer’s day from your favorite bartender!

Boards & Waves Expo 2008

When: July 12 & 13, 2008 from 10am-5pm daily
Where: Daytona Beach Resort & Conference Center at 2700 N. Atlantic Avenue, North Daytona Beach
Cost: $5 admission (under 12 free)
Details: Visit BoardsandWaves.com or call 949-466-4110

Events:

• Surfboard shaping demonstrations
• Surfboard painting & art by Drew Brophy
• Young Guns of Foam featuring today’s up-and-coming shapers
• Q&A seminars with top shapers
• Wave Forecasting with Surfline’s Mike Watson
• Beach- and ocean-inspired artwork
• Vintage surfboard collection
• See the Kicker Audio Polaris!
• Lots of product giveaways
• Raffle drawings for surfboards
• “after Expo” party at the Ocean Deck Saturday & Sunday night

“The Boards & Waves Expo will allow consumers the unique opportunity to talk face-to-face with over 50 of the industry’s top shapers, fin designers, foam & accessory manufacturers, local surf retailers, pro & amateur surfers, and more in a fun, friendly, and informative environment”, says Dave Seehafer–Expo organizer and action sports industry consultant.

A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Surfrider Foundation!

JaxSurfArt.com Launches!

Surfrider members and active First Coast surfers just launched a website dedicated to their amazing artwork! Current artists include Danny Barley, Damon Williams, David Lee and Kendrick Kidd. The Jax Surf Art Blog is a way to buy original artwork directly from local artists for a “bro” discount.

You can view the art at JaxSurfArt.Blogspot.com

Not a member?

All Surfrider Foundation members receive the following benefits:

• 1 year’s worth (6 issues) of Surfrider’s award-winning publication,
• Making Waves
• Discounts at a growing number of retailers and restaurants
• Surfrider Membership sticker
• Surfrider Chapter contact and volunteer information
• For signups $100 and above, you receive a special Surfrider T-shirt

Become a Surfrider member, Join Today!

Read the full story!

Congratulations to The Robin Shepherd Group for winning such a prestigious award!

Video premier for “OUT THERE,” a 16mm and HiDef film by Teton Gravity Research at The Ocean Club on Friday at 7 p.m. Through the eyes and experiences of surfers and locals, the film takes a thought-provoking look into the environmental destruction threatening key surf spots such as Trestles, California, Southern Chile which is threatened by pulp mills, mainland Mexico, North Shore Hawaii near the Turtle Bay development and beyond.

View the trailer!

The event will also feature live music by eight local bands (Love, She Wrote, Wait For Green, Brandy Robinson, ACME, Johari, Vyshon, DJ Lord Swift & Mike Fout & the Barons sponsored by SyncLive.com), plus a surfboard raffle and other give-aways from local sponsor, K9Coils. Admission is only for ages 18 and up and is $10 at the door. Proceeds benefit the First Coast Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation.

The movie premier is sponsored nationally by Jeep, SoBe Life Water, Billabong and Surfer Magazine.

AND on Saturday, June 21….

The City of Jacksonville’s Clean It Up, Green It Up program will partner with the First Coast Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation to observe Surfing Magazine’s “International Surf Day” with a beach cleanup and surf session on Saturday, June 21.

The Beach Cleanup and Surf Session (waves permitting) will be held on Saturday, June 21 from 9-11 a.m. Litter bags and gloves will be distributed to volunteers at the following locations:

• Neptune Beach Lifeguard Station
• Jacksonville Beach Pier
• Jacksonville Beach Lifeguard Station
• 16th Avenue South in Jacksonville Beach
• A Street Access in St Augustine

Cleanup participants must be at least 18 years old or accompanied by an adult and should bring water and wear sturdy footwear and sun protection. Advance registration is NOT required.

Following the cleanup, experienced surfers are invited to bring their own boards and enjoy the ocean. Each location will have a first aid kit and site captains standing by, but surfing is at your own risk.

In addition, volunteers are invited to attend an awards ceremony featuring organic iced teas from Fusion Tide at cost and free food at the Jacksonville Beach Pier at noon. Awards will be presented to cleanup volunteers, sponsors and partner organizations for their commitment to preserving the communities’ beaches.

Partner organizations for the beach cleanup include Sisters of the Sea, WAV, MySurfari and Pit Surf Shop. The event is sponsored nationally by Monster Energy, Earthpack and Pacsun.

And, don’t miss out on a special offer from the Surfrider Foundation and Surfing Magazine!

‘OUT THERE’ Movie Premier in Jax Beach

When: Friday, June 20th from 7pm til midnight
Where: The Ocean Club in Jacksonville Beach
Cost: $10 per person at the door

Shot on 16mm and HiDef, OUT THERE is the story of endangered surf locations around the world through the eyes and travels of today’s most progressive surfers. OUT THERE features world-renowned surfers taking on some of the heaviest swells surfed last year.

Athletes: Ian Walsh, Shane Dorian, John John Florence, Jamie O Brien, Jordy Smith, Nate Yeomans, Donavan Frankenreiter, Jamie Sterling, Pancho Sullivan, Garrett McNamara

Locations: Chile, Tahiti, California, Hawaii, Galapagos

SyncLive presents the after party!

Featuring: Love, She Wrote, Wait For Green, Brandy Robinson, ACME, Johari, Vyshon, DJ Lord Swift & Mike Fout & the Barons 

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International Surfing Day

Established four years ago by the Surfrider Foundation and Surfing Magazine, International Surfing Day is the one day a year where surfers from around the globe come together to celebrate the sport of surfing and pitch in to give back to our world’s oceans, waves and beaches.

International Surfing Day is sponsored nationally by Monster Energy Drink, Pac Sun and Earthpack.

City of Jacksonville’s Clean It Up, Green It Up division and First Coast Surfrider are teaming up again for second annual multi-location beach cleanup on Saturday, June 21st from 9am - 1pm.

The cleanup will last two hours, followed by an awards ceremony and food for everyone who participated at the Jacksonville Beach Pier. Organic iced teas will be available for purchase from Fusion Tide Teas, so bring a few bucks for a delicious and earth-friendly refreshment.

Partner organizations: Sisters of the Sea, Pit Surf Shop, MySurfari

Locations:

• Access 1 at Hanna Park
• Neptune Beach Lifeguard Station
• Jacksonville Beach Pier
• Jacksonville Beach Lifeguard Station
• 16th Ave South
• A Street in St Augustine

All ages are encouraged to participate, but children must have a parent or guardian present.

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Want to volunteer for either event? Contact Erin Handy at volunteer@surfriders.org.