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The Surfrider Foundation

We're a community of everyday people who passionately protect our playground - the ocean, waves, and beaches that provide us so much enjoyment.

100% Protection of Our Coastlines

Our model is to engage environmental experts to create solutions, unite local and national resources to protect the coast, and leverage our local chapter network’s knowledge with a national perspective.

Our Model

Our ocean, waves and beaches are everything. Let’s save them.

Our Model

Who We Are

The Galveston Chapter was formed in November 2010 and approved in February 2011.  During our first year, we plan on focusing on preserving beach access, enhancing beach facilities, and improving the quality of our beaches through public outreach and education.

Executive Committee

Jeff Seinsheimer
Chair

Jeff, Galveston Chapter Chair, has been an executive committee member since the Galveston chapter’s inception. He guides the Chapter through our activities. Jeff likes to attend Houston chapter, state and national meetings when possible and bring that knowledge back to the island.

He is a fourth generation Galvestonian, a University of Florida graduate, Surf Instructor, and Dog Whisperer.

Kaitlin Grable
Vice Chair

Kaitlin has been a member of Surfrider Galveston since 2016.

As a native Hawaiian raised in California, she has always loved the ocean and surfing. Kaitlin graduated from Texas A&M University at College Station with a BS in Bioenvironmental Sciences, and received her MS in Sustainability from Texas State University. By day, she works at the Galveston Bay Foundation doing marketing and outreach for the water programs aiming at reducing bacteria pollution in our waterways. In her free time, she volunteers with Surfrider and runs her own travel blog!

Colm Atkins
Volunteer Coordinator

Colm Atkins first joined Surfrider Galveston on beach cleanups, combining his love of picking up other people's garbage with his ability to get sunburned even on overcast days in January.

He is a Postdoctoral Fellow at UTMB and in his free time he can be found walking his dog around the east end, drinking craft beer, and riding his bike. He looks forward to supporting Surfrider's mission of preserving the outdoors and making Galveston a cleaner place to live.

Our Core Values


The Surfrider Foundation believes that getting outside and engaging with the natural world, especially the ocean, waves and beaches, is inspiring, supports healthier lifestyles, improves productivity and ultimately creates a better culture.

 

1. Honor the mission.

Surfrider is dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s ocean, waves and beaches for all people, through a powerful activist network. At the center of every action we take is our mission, our grassroots structure and local perspectives. We aim for positive impact and measurable results on behalf of the communities that we serve.

2. The beach is fun and Surfrider should be, too.

Surfrider comprises people who love the ocean, work hard to protect it, and need to enjoy it as part of keeping advocacy gratifying and fun. We are optimistic about the future of our ocean and coasts because our volunteers make a positive difference every day.

3. We are open and inclusive.

Our ocean, waves and beaches belong to all of us, and we welcome all who are interested in joining our movement. Through our principles of Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI), we seek to engage and represent the communities that we work in, and tosupport, create, foster and champion diversity at all levels within our organization.

4. We cultivate leaders.

We believe that the most effective way to build a coastal protection movement is to provide leadership opportunities for our volunteers. By cultivating their voices and skills, we are preparing the next generation of coastal defenders to lead within their own communities.

5. We are problem solvers.

We are solution-oriented. Surfrider applies science, critical thinking and innovation to assess problems and develop practical long-term solutions that protect our coasts.

6. The Surfrider is yours to create.

The Surfrider culture is defined by the people who show up with a love of the ocean and care deeply for its well-being. Through science, community and respect, we are people who joyfully take on the challenges before us. Our culture is one of selflessness, sharing, and bringing people together to achieve Surfrider’s mission.