World Water Day, March 22, 2010

SURFRIDER FOUNDATION CELEBRATES WORLD WATER DAY

Organization Launches New Water Quality Program, Online Contest and Special Membership Offer

San Clemente, CA (March 8, 2010) – March 22^nd is World Water Day – a global observance of our planet’s most precious resource. In recognition of World Water Day, the Surfrider Foundation is unveiling a robust offering of events and activities, including the launch of a new water quality and management-related program, a new educational video, an exciting water quality-themed online contest, and a one day-only membership offering.

Founded in 1993 by the United Nations General Assembly, World Water Day was created to help focus public attention on the critical water issues facing our global community. The theme for this year’s World Water Day is “Clean Water for a Healthy World.”

“Water is the foundational basis for all life on the planet,” says Matt McClain, Surfrider Foundation’s Director of Marketing and Communications. “How we interact and manage water has a direct affect on not only our marine resources, but the whole of our world as well.”

To help illustrate this point, the Surfrider Foundation is launching “Know Your H20” – a new program that focuses on the issues behind use and management of our world’s water resources – on World Water Day.

“Know Your H20 is the next evolutionary step in Surfrider Foundation’s long-running Blue Water Task Force monitoring program,” says McClain. “Our goal is to move beyond telling people there are challenges to marine water quality, and towards educating them on how they can take steps to improve it.”

The Surfrider Foundation officially launches the program with the premiere of their highly anticipated animated movie “The Cycle of Insanity: The Real Story of Water.” The film, which was created by a cadre of Surfrider Foundation volunteer activists, is narrated by LOST star Zuleikha Robinson and focuses on the various challenges and solutions relating to water management. Check out this film's trailer here. The full film will be available for viewing by World Water Day at http://www.knowyourh2o.org.

Surfrider Foundation will also be kicking off an online contest for its Blue Note Karaoke event on World Water Day. Starting March 22^nd, people can log onto MySpace and enter for a chance to win an all-expense paid trip to California to participate in Surfrider’s Blue Note Karaoke event on May 6^th.

Finally, the Surfrider Foundation will be offering a special one-day only World Water Day membership package on March 22^nd. For the discount price of $20 (regularly $25), purchasers will receive a one-year membership to the Surfrider Foundation and their choice of either a reusable FilterForGood Nalgene bottle or organic tote bag.

For additional information on the Surfrider Foundation’s World Water Day activations, visit www.surfrider.org.

About Surfrider Foundation

The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of our world’s oceans, waves and beaches. Founded in 1984 by a handful of visionary surfers in Malibu, California, the Surfrider Foundation now maintains over 50,000 members and 90 chapters worldwide. For more information on the Surfrider Foundation, go to www.surfrider.org.