Join us for a special screening of Stand: A SUP adventure through the Great Bear Rainforest.

Stand, the award winning documentary, takes viewers on a journey through the waters of B.C.'s west coast. Through the stories of an aboriginal high school class building their own stand-up paddleboards as a form of protest, the efforts of expedition stand-up paddler Norm Hann, and the powerful surfing of iconic west coast native Raph Bruhwiler, the diversity of people, landscape and wildlife that would be affected by an oil spill will be articulated. Stand will take you to the core of the issue and unfurl the soul of B.C.'s west coast one paddle stroke at a time.

“With the notoriously volatile open waters of Hectate Strait to the east and traditional Haida territory rising out of the ocean to the west, the expedition showcased what is at stake both in an environmental and cultural sense should oil tankers be allowed passage through these waters. The expedition presented many challenges, including consistent 50km days on the board, head winds, strong ocean currents, and times of complete isolation.”

Snacks and beverages will be provided courtesy of our friends at Georgian Bay Beverage Co.

Beach cleanups are a fun and exciting way of getting volunteers and community members out to local beaches and participating in a meaningful activity. All the debris is sorted, recycled and disposed of properly by our fabulous partners at Atlas Junk Removal. Please dress for the weather, we clean rain or shine!

Sign the waiver here

Come enjoy some great food and conversation as part of our March chapter meeting!

Join us for a chat about bioplastics with our Marine Pollution Prevention lead, Noah Snell!

Please RSVP to Lynn (chair@vancouverisland.surfrider.org) by Monday, March 25th.

Help us celebrate World Water Day by getting out and cleaning the shoreline! This month’s cleanup is sponsored by the BC Parks Foundation’s 25 Weeks of Adventure. To learn more and find other events happening in BC Parks, visit 25x25.ca

Beach cleanups are a fun and exciting way of getting volunteers and community members out to local beaches and participating in a meaningful activity. All the debris is sorted, recycled and disposed of properly by our fabulous partners at Atlas Junk Removal.

Sign the waiver here

Beach cleanups are a fun and exciting way of getting volunteers and community members out to local beaches and participating in a meaningful activity. All the debris is sorted, recycled and disposed of properly by our fabulous partners at Atlas Junk Removal. Please dress for the weather, we clean rain or shine!

Coffee will be provided by Cafe Vosino in Sooke - don’t forget to bring your own mug to enjoy!

Sign the waiver here

Join us for our first Hold on to your Butt Cleanup of the year as part of this month’s cleanup! We will be doing a shoreline cleanup as well as a focus on cigarette butts along the Galloping Goose walking path. As a reminder, we meet on the Railyards side of the trestle!

Beach cleanups are a fun and exciting way of getting volunteers and community members out to local beaches and participating in a meaningful activity. All the debris is sorted, recycled and disposed of properly by our fabulous partners at Atlas Junk Removal.

Sign the waiver here

Come join us as we recap 2023 and start to plan for 2024! We will be presenting data from our BWTF, beach cleanups, and updates from our other programs.

Join us for our final Hold on to your Butts Cleanup of the year as part of this month’s cleanup! We will be doing a shoreline cleanup as well as a focus on cigarette butts along the Songhees walking path.

Beach cleanups are a fun and exciting way of getting volunteers and community members out to local beaches and participating in a meaningful activity. All the debris is sorted, recycled and disposed of properly by our fabulous partners at Atlas Junk Removal.

Sign the waiver here

Come join us for volunteer appreciation night, where we thank YOU for all of the great work that’s been done this year! Refreshments and good eats will be provided.

Beach cleanups are a fun and exciting way of getting volunteers and community members out to local beaches and participating in a meaningful activity. All the debris is sorted, recycled and disposed of properly by our fabulous partners at Atlas Junk Removal.

Sign the waiver here

Beach cleanups are a fun and exciting way of getting volunteers and community members out to local beaches and participating in a meaningful activity. All the debris is sorted, recycled and disposed of properly by our fabulous partners at Atlas Junk Removal.

Join us for our second Hold on to your Butts Cleanup of the year as part of this month’s cleanup! We will be doing a shoreline cleanup as well as a focus on cigarette butts along the Dallas Road walking path.

Beach cleanups are a fun and exciting way of getting volunteers and community members out to local beaches and participating in a meaningful activity. All the debris is sorted, recycled and disposed of properly by our fabulous partners at Atlas Junk Removal.

Started in 2005, International Surfing Day (ISD) is an international celebration of the love of surfing for all people to enjoy. The day was established by the Surfrider Foundation and partners to raise awareness and support for our world’s beaches and coastal environments. Now in its 19th year, ISD has grown into the largest global activation for Surfrider each year, with more than 200 events taking place worldwide in 2022. Over the years, ISD event locations have included Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Canada, France, the UK, Argentina, Japan, and thousands of events in the United States!

Our event:

Our chapter will be celebrating ISD with a paddle on the Gorge followed by a BBQ social to thank our members and volunteers for all the support this year. There will be raffle prizes (one raffle ticket included, additional tickets are $2 each or 3 for $5), food, music, and a lots of fun! This is a family friendly event, so bring your kids and loved ones and celebrate International Surfing Day with the Surfrider South Vancouver Island chapter!

Join us at 4:30-5:30 paddle, followed by dinner and social from 6:00-9:00!

FREE to members! $25 otherwise

Fill in the google form (link here) to let us know you will be attending. Capacity is limited, so please don’t wait to sign up!

Beach cleanups are a fun and exciting way of getting volunteers and community members out to local beaches and participating in a meaningful activity. All the debris is sorted, recycled and disposed of properly by our fabulous partner, Atlas Junk Removal.

We encourage volunteers to bring their own reusable gloves, and bags/buckets to use as our supplies are limited.

Get ready for summer as we kick things off with a really fun announcement! Stay tuned for details and RSVP info (hint: there will be food, beer, and some giveaways!)

This month we are so excited to partner with Medicine Wheel Publishing and Indigenous author Willie Poll in the launch of Minnow - The Girl who Became Part Fish. In addition to our monthly beach cleanup, Willie will join us to talk about the book and give volunteers a chance to snag a copy! Surfrider will be giving away a few copies as prizes during the cleanup, so you definitely do not want to miss out!

Who is Medicine Wheel Publishing?

Medicine Wheel Publishing is based in Victoria, BC on the W̱SÁNEĆ and Lekungwen Lekwungen/Songhees Territory.

Medicine Wheel Publishing publishes culturally authentic Indigenous books, resources and tools specialized for moral and cultural education. Each book teaches a positive moral message designed to invite all children, youth and adults to engage and participate in culture with authenticity and respect.  

Medicine Wheel Publishing is the publisher of many Indigenous authors as well as being the official publisher of Orange Shirt Day written by the Orange Shirt Society. Medicine Wheel Publishing has books in thousands of locations across Canada and the United States. 

Description of Minnow- The Girl who Became Part Fish 

Minnow is a young Indigenous water protector who goes on an underwater journey; learning from our ocean-living relatives. When she returns to the surface, she gathers her community to help make a change. 

This story is told in lyrical rhyme and helps children gain a better respect for Indigenous water and land protectors, the environment and world around them, and helps show children age appropriate activism at an early age.

Who is Willie Poll (author)? 

Willie Poll is a Métis (Métis Nation of Ontario) author from the Robinson Huron Treaty Territory (Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada) and a proud member of the Metis Nation of Ontario. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Indigenous studies and a Master of Arts in archaeology. She grew up with a close relationship with her Métis grandpa who filled her with stories that connected her to her ancestors and culture. 

Willie has worked in Indigenous education across the Nation for over 10 years. Her stories are her feelings, emotions, and her tribute to the youth in her life. Willie currently resides on Prince Edward Island as a guest on the traditional lands of the Wabanaki and Mi'kma'ki people; however, she lives a nomadic lifestyle and has had the opportunity to be a guest in many places across Turtle Island.

Across the province, we’re seeing access to public lands challenged and threatened. In some cases, landowners encroach on marine access trails, lakes and streams are closed to boaters, and access to public trails are blocked. The UVic Environmental Law Centre recognized this challenge, and released the “Wild Places and Green Spaces” guide, which aims to empower people to stand up for their right to access public areas. At our April chapter meeting, Liam McGuigan (UVic Law Student) will discuss the guide’s findings and recommendations for protecting public access.

Surfrider Foundation has always stood up for the right to access and enjoy oceans, waves and beaches. Following Liam’s presentation, we will discuss marine access issues local to Southern Vancouver Island and what we can do to raise awareness about our rights to enjoy local beaches and marine areas.

Report Link: https://elc.uvic.ca/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Wild-Places-and-Green-Spaces-Guide.pdf

Come out and take part in the discussions and provide your input. Snacks and beverages will be provided!

Please arrive no later than 7:15 PM as doors will be locked.

Special Event: Coextinction (94min) Screening in partnership with Canadian Orca Rescue Society

After a mother orca carries her dead calf for 17 days, two filmmakers take action, joining Indigenous leaders and scientists making a final attempt to protect the last 73 Southern Resident orcas from extinction.

Coextinction shows the interconnected web of ecosystem collapse exposing the Salish Sea’s most pressing environmental threats.

This award-winning documentary is recommended viewing for all environmentalists.

General admission tickets are $12, student and senior tickets are $10, and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

Doors open at 6:00 PM and the screening will be followed by a panel discussion with Chiefs George Quocksister and Bill Watson.   

Beach cleanups are a fun and exciting way of getting volunteers and community members out to local beaches and participating in a meaningful activity. All the debris is sorted, recycled and disposed of properly by our fabulous partner, Atlas Junk Removal.

We encourage volunteers to bring their own reusable gloves, and bags/buckets to use as our supplies are limited.

Beach cleanups are a fun and exciting way of getting volunteers and community members out to local beaches and participating in a meaningful activity. All the debris is sorted, recycled and disposed of properly.

We encourage volunteers to bring their own reusable gloves, and bags/buckets to use as our supplies are limited.

A special thanks to Discovery Coffee for providing coffee for volunteers! Please bring your reusable mugs to warm up after the cleanup!

Join us for our return to Hold on to your Butts Cleanups as part of this month’s cleanup! We will be doing a shoreline cleanup as well as a focus on cigarette butts along the Galloping Goose Trail.

Beach cleanups are a fun and exciting way of getting volunteers and community members out to local beaches and participating in a meaningful activity. All the debris is sorted, recycled and disposed of properly.

Beach cleanups are a fun and exciting way of getting volunteers and community members out to local beaches and participating in a meaningful activity. All the debris is sorted, recycled and disposed of properly.

Beach cleanups are a fun and exciting way of getting volunteers and community members out to local beaches and participating in a meaningful activity. All the debris is sorted, recycled and disposed of properly.

Beach cleanups are a fun and exciting way of getting volunteers and community members out to local beaches and participating in a meaningful activity. All the debris is sorted, recycled and disposed of properly.