Surfrider Canada is the newest member of the global network. Our northern neighbors used to be part of the US network until they affiliated several years ago. I used to help support their work, and I was bummed when they became independent, as that meant I no longer got to work with them. Luckily, they still invite me to attend their conference each year, and I always leave feeling stoked and inspired!
This year's conference was once again in Vancouver, hosted on the traditional territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. It opened with a warm welcome and an acknowledgment that protecting our coasts begins with recognizing the Indigenous communities who have continued their stewardship of these places for countless generations. Throughout the weekend, that spirit of stewardship, collaboration, and respect remained at the center of every conversation.
I had the privilege of leading a session on our Coasts & Climate initiative, describing the challenges of increasing erosion and sea level rise, the problems with hard-armoring solutions we often default to, and the potential of nature-based alternatives to offer more long-term and sustainable solutions.
One of my favorite parts of the conference was hearing directly from Surfrider Canada's chapters about the work they're leading in their communities. Every presentation offered something new: a creative approach to engaging volunteers, a successful local campaign, or a lesson learned through persistence. It was inspiring to see how much can be accomplished when local communities are empowered to lead.
Program-specific breakout sessions gave participants the opportunity to dive deeper into Surfrider's core initiatives, including ReSurf (a really cool wetsuit recycling program), Water Friendly Gardens, and the Blue Water Task Force. The challenges of recruiting and retaining volunteers, staying organized and focused in a time of chaos and crises, and preventing burnout are ubiquitous across our network, and these opportunities to support each other through those shared struggles are more critical now than ever.
Of course, no Surfrider gathering would be complete without some hands-on stewardship. In celebration of World Ocean Day, conference attendees gathered together with members of the public for a beach cleanup along Vancouver's shoreline, putting our shared values into action.
Beyond the scheduled presentations, some of the most meaningful moments happened over meals, during walks along the beach, and in conversations between sessions. These informal opportunities to exchange ideas often become the foundation for future collaborations, allowing chapters to share resources, celebrate successes, and tackle challenges together.
The conference concluded with volunteer recognition and an optional tour of Ocean Legacy's marine debris processing facility, highlighting the innovation and partnerships needed to address marine plastic pollution at every stage—from cleanups to circular solutions.
This is the third Surfrider Canada Conference I’ve had the privilege of attending, and I can’t say enough good things about our neighbors up north. I always leave feeling so inspired and so grateful to connect with share with the incredible humans that continue to grow and strengthen Surfrider Canada. Huge shout-out to the organizers, staff, presenters, volunteers, and sponsors who made for such a kickass weekend, and here’s to working together across international boundaries to protect and enjoy the amazing ocean ecosystems that we share.