WHEREAS, International Surfing Day, observed annually on June 20, was founded by the Surfrider Foundation to unify surfers from around the world to celebrate the sport of surfing and protect our beach and ocean environment; and

WHEREAS, The Surfrider Foundation is a nonprofit grassroots organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of our world’s oceans, waves, and beaches through a powerful activist network comprised of over 250,000 supporters, activists, and members worldwide; and

WHEREAS, California’s coastline spans 1,100 miles, and its beaches and coastal areas generate $1.15 trillion in economic activity annually; and

WHEREAS, California has the largest ocean economy in the United States, ranking number one for both employment (408,000 jobs) and gross state product ($42.9 billion); and

WHEREAS, The United States boasts approximately 3.3 million surfers, who spend between $1.9 and $3.3 billion a year on local surf trips, and in 2010, the surf industry, almost exclusively based in California, generated $6.24 billion in United States retail sales; and

WHEREAS, California is home to iconic surf breaks, such as Malibu, Trestles, Mavericks, and Rincon, which are destinations for both domestic and international surfers; and

WHEREAS, Every year, California surf breaks host numerous domestic and international surf contests, including the Association of Surfing Professionals World Tour events; and

WHEREAS, Now in its ninth year, International Surfing Day has grown to over 200 separate events in over 25 different countries and continues to unite surfers around the world to celebrate the sport of surfing, while raising awareness and showing appreciation for our coastal environments; now, therefore, be it