Surfrider Foundation Miami Announces New Board and opens 2012 Initiative Committees 

Board Members for 2012
Chair: Jesse Bull, Ph.D. Assoc. Professor, Dept. of Economics, Florida International University
Vice Chair: Scott Stripling, Meteorologist, National Hurricane Center
Secretary: Lauren Ordway, Sustainability Analyst, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.
Treasurer: Laura Guptill CPA, Tax Manager, BDO USA LLP
Volunteer Coordinator: Margarita Kruyff, Environmental Scientist, C3TS
Media Coordinator: Martha Greenlee, Greenlee PR 
At Large: Mike Gibaldi,  Manager, Business Wire                                                                                                                                                                                               At Large: Brad Wells, Managing Director, Alpha Current                                                                                                                                                                 Strategic Relations: Michael Laas, Project Manager at Gannet Fleming Inc.  

The chapter is currently seeking additional committee volunteers for 2012 Surfrider Miami Initiatives.  Email miami@surfrider.org with your specific interest. Committees will form & meet in February – GIVE BACK TO YOUR BEACH! 

·       Rise Against Plastics http://www.surfrider.org/programs/entry/rise-above-plastics
·       Education http://www.miamisurfrider.org/chapter-initiatives-2/education-and-awareness/
·       Offshore Drilling http://www.nottheanswer.org/
·       Dune Restoration http://www.miamisurfrider.org/chapter-initiatives-2/dune-restorations/
·       Reef Balls http://www.miamisurfrider.org/chapter-initiatives-2/stop-reefballs-in-south-florida/

   THIS WEEK!  Surfrider Miami is supporting the screening of  SPLINTERS, a brand new surf documentary

WINNER OF BEST DOCUMENTARY – SURFER MAGAZINE’S 2011 SURFER POLL AWARDS 
 
Thursday – Sunday, January 26- 29, 2012   (movie times/tickets)

O Cinema,  90 NW 29th Street
Miami, FL 33127(305) 571-9970 
 
More info + purchase tickets: http://www.o-cinema.org/2012/01/splinters/ 

ALOHA !

Thankfully the Mayor and City Commissioners of Miami Beach agreed with Surfrider and the local ocean watersports community that enforcing a 1960′s era ordinance was not in the public’s best interest. Read the Miami Hearld article here http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/01/11/2584452/surfers-beware-miami-beach-enforces.html .

However the issue is not dead and we must work with the City to modernize the laws regarding surfing and other board sports. To get involved in this or other Surfrider initiatives, send a note to miami@surfrider.org .

————————

Prior post:  On very quick notice, the local saltwater sports community came out for the Surfrider-hosted public meeting to discuss the alarming issue of banned watersports on most of Miami Beach. Thanks to the crowd of concerned, hard-core locals who participated and helped nail our strategy.

Surfrider will communicate the below talk points to the City of Miami Beach Mayor and Commissioners tomorrow at 12:15 pm in the 3rd Floor Commission Chamber at 1700 Convention Center Drive.

YOUR PARTICIPATION is welcome and needed. During the 12:30 Citizen forum session, anyone can have three minutes to speak up to reinforce our points and/or speak your mind about the issue.

Talking Points on Surfing and Stand-Up Paddling Rules on Miami Beach

 The recent prohibition of surfboards, stand up paddle boards, and kiteboards has created a huge uproar and has taken away basic rights to beach access. Continue reading ›

The rumors are true. Miami Beach police, lifeguards and code enforcement are being forced by City officials to stop people from launching & paddling SUPs & kite boards off the beach everywhere North of 3rd Street. The 1964 ordinance is WAY out of date and does not reflect current realities.

Surfrider is working on this issue and will keep our members informed.

Miami Beach Code of Ordinances Chapter 82 Public Property – Article V Beaches – Division 2 Restricted Areas[1]

 Keep what’s important in front of your face all year long.

- Surfrider calendars $9 ea.

- Two or more $8 ea.

To purchase, send email to miami@surfrider.org with tel # to arrange purchase with Surfrider volunteers.

Stay tuned Miami Chapter news coming soon!