Surfers and wave riders, in general, celebrate International Surfing Day (ISD) on the third Saturday of June. Time for surfers to be proud of their sport and help to keep our oceans and environment pure and protected.
The International Surfing Day was established in 2005 by the Surfrider Foundation and other organizations.
Every year, surfers and surfing fans run contests, eco-friendly events, barbecues, film screenings, beach cleanups, and multiple ocean-based activities.
These celebrations are held all over the world. Until 2013, International Surfing Day was celebrated on two different dates.
The Surfrider Foundation ran one, and EuroSima put out the other one.
Today, the ISD is held annually on the third Saturday of June and engages thousands of surfers and activists from over 30 countries.
California has officially recognized International Surfing Day as a way of celebrating the Golden State's surfing heritage and the need to protect our oceans, waves, and beaches.
The United States has approximately 3.3 million surfers, who spend between $1.9 and $3.3 billion a year on local surf trips.
Planet Earth is home to nearly 40 million surfers, and the number has never stopped growing.
10 Celebration Ideas for the Surfer's Day
So, how are you going to celebrate International Surfing Day? We've got ten tips and suggestions for a great day at and with the oceans.
- Go Surfing: enjoy what the ocean has to give, no matter how small or wind-affected it is;
- Share Waves: invite friends and other surfers in the line-up to run a few party waves;
- Participate in a Beach Cleanup: pick up some trash from the sand or collect a couple of plastics from the water;
- Donate to a Nonprofit Surfing Organization: make sure entities like Surfrider can lobby for our oceans' integrity and help defend our coastlines;
- Learn More About the Oceans: know why Planet Earth can't live with a balanced ecosystem and how pollution is killing saltwater bodies;
- Learn How a Wave is Generated: get back to the source of the wave and improve your surf forecasting skills;
- Buy a Good Surf Book: learn more about the history of surfing, a surfer in particular, or about the science of waves;
- Respect the Basic Rules of Surf Etiquette: don't be a wave hog, don't drop in, a let other surfers have their fair share of fun;
- Get an Estimate of the Number of Waves You've Ridden: do your math and reflect on how surfing changed your life;
- Have a Beer with Friends: relax, enjoy the ocean vibes, and remember the best waves of your life;