How local chapters fuel Surfrider’s impact 🏄🏻‍♂️ Chad Nelsen, CEO of Surfrider

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Episode at a glance:

GUEST: Chad Nelsen

COMMUNITY: Surfrider Foundation

HOSTS: Bailey Richardson & Kevin Huynh

"Why join Surfrider? You’re going to have friends for life. I hear people say this is the best thing that they’ve ever done, and that’s pretty amazing. Beyond all the good work we’re doing, there’s that human element that’s probably equally valuable." - Dr. Chad Nelsen

Ifyou’re a surfer, you probably know Surfrider. But if you don’t know them, you’re in for a dose of inspiration in this episode of the podcast.

The Surfrider Foundation was formed in 1984 by a handful of surfers who gathered together to protect their home break in Malibu, California from development and pollution. Today, there are 190 Surfrider chapters and clubs and over 500,000 activists and supporters worldwide. Chapters share resources, insights, and form coalitions to push forward the same purpose: protecting the world’s ocean, waves, and beaches.

We spoke to Dr. Chad Nelsen, the CEO of Surfrider. Chad started working at Surfrider when he was 28 years-old and fresh out of grad school. At that time the foundation had just six employees and 20 chapters.

In our conversation, Chad shared a little bit about what they’ve done to expand the organization and its impact—a mix of refining their strategy, structure, and storytelling and keeping a sense of fun at the center of what they do.