This week Surfrider Foundation's traveling "Sign the Surfboard Tour" representing opposition to offshore oil drilling by the coastal recreation and tourism industries kicked off in Brookings. Over the next few weeks, the board will travel up the coast of Oregon to Astoria, partnering with businesses and Surfrider chapters on events and building our coalition of businesses. The surfboard tour began in Southern California this spring and has traveled through coastal communities up to Oregon. It will continue through Oregon and Washington this fall, with local businesses signing the surfboard as it travels north.
Patagonia Store Managers from Ventura pose with the signed Surfboard on it's journey north to Oregon
The tour is one strategy to combat the Trump administration's proposal to open 90% of U.S. waters, including the Pacific coast, to new oil and gas drilling. The proposal threatens both the health of the marine environment and the many coastal businesses and industries that depend upon it for survival, thus Surfrider is engaged in a collaborative effort to build a strong coalition of coastal business voices.
The surfboard, donated to the Surfrider Foundation by Firewire Surfboards, began its journey in San Diego, CA in March and is traveling up the West Coast collecting signatures in local communities along the way. The Sign the Surfboard project has been enthusiastically received on its journey as hundreds of businesses add their signatures to our broader coalition effort with the Business Alliance to Protect the Pacific Coast. For BAPPC members, a healthy coast is vital to their bottom lines, as well as the lifestyles of their customers and staff.
An oil spill would spell disaster for Oregon's dynamic coastline such as the pictured Salmon river estuary, Cascade Head Marine Reserve and UN Biosphere.
“Oregon’s beaches are the pride of our state and the economic engine for our coast. An oil spill would prove to be devastating for our fishing, tourism and recreation jobs. Plans for offshore drilling put all of this at risk” said Jocelyn Enevoldsen, Surfrider’s Oregon Surfboard Tour coordinator. “We ask our federal leaders to protect our livelihoods from this threat.”
“Natural vistas and clean waterways are crucial aspects of the Oregon Coast identity. They are why visitors come and locals stay. Offshore drilling is incompatible with our way of life,” said Annie Pollard, CEO and co-owner of 7 Devils Brewing Co in Coos Bay and member of the BAPPC.
Annie Pollard poses with an Irish Lord rockfish. When not running her business, Annie moonlights as a marine biologist! She knows oil drilling is no good for business and the environment.
“This is an opportunity for local businesses who depend upon the health and beauty of the coast to speak out against offshore drilling. An oil spill will spell ruin for Oregon coast businesses,” said Jocelyn Enevoldsen, coordinator for the Oregon Surfboard Tour.
If you're a coastal business owner interested in hosting the surfboard for a sign on event or just want to find out more about how you can support the Business Alliance to Protect the Pacific Coast, contact tour coordinator Jocelyn Enevoldsen at jocey.enevoldsen@gmail.com.
The tour will be making stops along the way for events briefly listed below.
Weds 9/12, 6pm
Coos Bay, OR
7 Devils Brewing Co.
(short presentation, drinks and mingling, opportunity to sign the board)
Sunday 9/16, ~3pm
Pacific City, OR
Cape Kiwanda Longboard Classic
(short presentation about Sign the Surfboard Tour at announcers booth during awards ceremony 3pm, surfboard will be at the event all afternoon for business sign-on opportunities... find us at the Surfrider booth)
Monday 9/17, 6pm
Seaside, OR
Seaside Surfshop and Oregon Surf Adventures (Partnering to host this event)
(short presentation about Sign the Surfboard Tour, business sign-on opportunity, potentially adult beverages, socializing with ocean minded friends)
A healthy ocean is a major economic engine for Oregon’s coastal communities. Beyond the many fishing-related jobs, this includes small business owners who operate bed and breakfasts, restaurants, whale watching charters, and rentals for recreational equipment such as kayaks, surfboards, diving equipment, among others. A 2011 study by NaturalEquity, Surfrider, and Ecotrust found that coastal recreation alone generates $2.4 billion per year.
In spring of 2019, the surfboard will be presented to the U.S. Department of the Interior as a representation of opposition to the Draft Proposed Program for Oil and Gas Outer Continental Shelf Leasing Program.
More Info. and Related Articles
Oregon Leaders Hold Press Conference Opposing Offshore Oil - 08/24
Curry County Coastal Towns Oppose Offshore Oil Drilling - 07/18
Central Coast Ports and Cities Pass Resolutions Opposing Offshore Oil - 03/18
Hundreds of Oregonians, Leaders, Gather at Capitol to Oppose Oil Drilling - 02/08