Mission Statement: The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit environmental organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world's waves, oceans and beaches for all people, through conservation, activism, research and education.
910-7 Hiroba, Kamogawa
Chiba 296-0044, Japan
Phone: +0470.93.5302
Fax: +0470.93.5362
E-mail: sfj@surfrider.gr.jp
Web site: www.surfrider.gr.jp
Formed: 1993
Membership Cost: 4,000Y (approximately $38USD)
Chapters: 3
Executive Director: Masuo Ueda
From the Beach: 25% contributions, 25% sales/mail-order, 50% memberships
To the Beach: 50% administration, 50% programs
Roots | Past Victories | Present Battles
Roots
Chances are you've probably never heard of Akate Point. Bruce Brown saw it while filming Endless Summer and was amazed. It was the best wave in Kamogawa, Japan. Masuo Ueda grew up surfing it and, when he heard in 1993 that they were going to put a breakwall up that would destroy the wave, he decided it was time. Along with Tomomi Okubu, Ueda started the Surfrider Foundation in Japan to protest the construction at Akate Point.
The infant organization mobilized forces: a petition to stop the breakwater garnered more than 7,000 signatures, and more than 300 folks turned out the day of protest. But despite this groundbreaking action, the breakwater was put in and now you'd be more likely to see lovers cruising around languidly in canoes than Japanese hellmen pulling in to Typhoon-produced barrels.
But Surfrider Foundation Japan emerged from the proverbial rubble. Ueda and Okubu, encouraged by the turnout, began organizing local ocean activists. And they were not alone. The first meeting saw 50 locals and a few Westerners: Yvon Chouinard, Rell Sunn, Joey Cabell and Mickey Munoz all made the trip from the United States to show their support. Ueda was stoked.
Also in the mix at the beginning were American-based eco-company Patagonia and the Nippon Surfing Association, and when the ASP came to town, they helped with public support. By 1995, the office moved out of Ueda's house and into an actual office, and Okubu went to the United States to take lessons from the mothership.
In 1996, Surfrider Japan had 200 members and got its first water testing grant. Masuo, now executive director, saw the need to align up with the government and become the "watchdog group" for the oceans. That relationship has gone up and down over the years -- the money for water testing quickly evaporated -- but Ueda sees an upswing in the near future.
As is the case with many environmental organizations, tragedy can be the biggest membership drive. In 1997, an oil spill in the Japan Sea saw the Japanese surfing community come together. Membership doubled to 600, wetsuits companies donated suits to protect the oil cleaners and Surfrider made the cover of a national newspaper. Oil may indeed be thicker than water.
After the spill, Ueda and the rest of Surfrider Japan focused their considerable energies on establishing relationships with the right people in the government and increasing membership. He had membership drive parties with Gerry Lopez in a Tokyo nightclub to make Surfrider hip, and they spent time researching coastal armoring and shoreline management to be qualified to act as consultants for the government. (Scary fact: only 45 percent of the shoreline in Japan is not developed in some way.)
Surfrider Japan's biggest strength is its surfing roots. As Ueda says, "surfing starts trends," and if environmentalism becomes a trend, Japan will be in pretty good shape. But they are operating in a culture unfamiliar with activism. The challenge is to convince Japanese surfers that they have a voice. And if thy yell loud and long enough, perhaps the fate of Akate Point will be nothing but a distant memory.
Past Victories
(1993) Organized 300-person breakwater protest at Akate Point
Though ultimately unsuccessful, it was the first public surfer protest in Japan.
(1995) Worked with Australian chapter on protesting nuclear testing in Tahiti
Established relationship with Australia that continues to present day
(1996) Established space in Japanese trade shows
Increased visibility in the surf industry meant more funding
(1997) Helped clean up worst oil spill in recent memory
Surfrider volunteers braved the frigid waters of the Japan Sea in winter to help clean up the beaches and save the animals
(2000) Attended Initiative Ocean in Biarritz, France
Ueda attended the international environmental conference along with the other four Surfrider executive directors and worked out plans for the coming years.
Present Battles
(1997-) Continue relationship with Ministry of Environment and Construction
Surfrider is using its educational tools to stay on a consulting basis when it comes to coastal structures.
(1999-) Working with other groups to halt a surf-spot destroying breakwater in Shirasuka
After losing 353 miles of coast to development between 1978-'84 and another 181 between 1984-'94, there's been enough wave-destroying structures in Japan. It's time to stop 'em.
(1999-) Develop coastal educational programs
For students ages 7 to 15.
(2000) Resume water quality testing
After a few year hiatus, Ueda says the government is ready to kick down with some more money for this much-needed program.
(2000) Increase membership
With continued support from the surf industry and various surf celebs such as Lopez, Surfrider is on its way to being cool in Japan. --Marcus Sanders
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