Most surfers are natural students of weather, coastal physical processes and water quality.
Teaching oceanography and environmental protection from a surfer's perspective captivates students of all ages and makes learning about the ocean exciting, fun and very cool. The Respect the Beach program is brought into classrooms by Surfrider members, who represent ocean environmentalism from the surfers perspective, and who are role models that students can relate to. In the longer term, Respect the Beach will give participants the tools to become stewards of their coastal landscapes and engage their communities and decision-making agencies as leaders in coastal resources preservation and management. Respect the Beach was launched in California schools in 1991 and in junior lifeguard programs in 1992. In order to bring the best available science and educational techniques to the new program, Surfrider's program staff will work with teachers, scientists and other environmental organizations involved in ocean, coastal and environmental education.