Honolulu, Oahu (Nov. 1, 2011): The Surfrider Foundation Oahu Chapter will host a beach cleanup at Haleiwa Beach Park on Sat., 11/5/11, from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm. Surfrider is partnering with Everpaddle and SPY Optic, who will be sponsoring lunch and donating t-shirts and prizes. Volunteers are encouraged to bring reusable water bottles and recycled plastic bags to pick up trash. Surfrider’s Oahu chapter will be selling reusable canteens, tote bags and T-shirts.
As part of its Rise Above Plastics (RAP) campaign, Surfrider is working to reduce the proliferation of single-use plastics, especially bags and water bottles. The RAP campaign seeks to educate people about the prevalence of plastic marine debris on our beaches and oceans (www.surfrider.org/rap). Surfrider hosts monthly cleanups with sponsors like SPY Optic and Everpaddle to keep our beaches clean and educate the public about ocean-related issues.
This year SPY® has teamed-up with the Surfrider Foundation and designed a new product that gives back to the Islands. A percentage of sales of the new SPY® + Hawaii Dirk™ sunglasses will be donated to Surfrider’s Hawaii Chapters. “I’m psyched on the charity effort behind the frames,” says Torrey Meister, Big Island professional surfer and SPY® team rider. “There’s nothing that bums me out more than seeing trash and pollution piling up on our beaches. SPY® is helping the Surfrider Foundation make an impact on preserving our coastlines.”
Anyone who joins Surfrider or renews their membership at the cleanup will be eligible to win a pair of SPY’s new sunglasses. “The SPY® + Hawaii Dirk™ looks insane,” Torrey says. “The Hawaiian flag printing on the arms looks so rad. I have so much love for my hometown and the rest of the Hawaiian Islands. Now I can show some Aloha on my face.”
SPY Optic designs, develops and sells premium eyewear products for the youth lifestyle market within action sports, including surfing, skateboarding, snowboarding, motorsports, wakeboarding and skiing. Everpaddle makes performance Stand-up paddle boards, paddles and accessories. They strongly value eco-friendliness, health, community and fun.
Founded in 1984 by a handful of visionary surfers, the Surfrider Foundation now has more than 80 chapters and 250,000 supporters, activists and members across the United States. The Oahu Chapter is in its 16th year of activism and has been working on issues of beach access, water quality, coastal preservation and plastic marine debris. For more information, go to www.surfrider.org/oahu.