Greenpoint Surfriders Foundation aims to promote conservation

"We aim to educate and promote conservation, while respecting and giving back to the same ocean and beaches that provide us so much joy. I am very proud to be involved as one of the pioneers of this foundation with all my fellow Greenpoint Surfriders," said Shayne McGee, chairman and one of the founders.

Describing themselves as the 'surfing division' of the Clansthal Conservancy, the Greenpoint Surfriders Foundation is made up of local surfers who span several generations, these surfers have all spent most of their lives surfing these beaches and they are passionate about conserving and improving the natural world they live in. Arising from reaching a level of social and environmental maturity these surfers have formalised themselves with a code and a clearly set out mission statement.

Pressing need

"We see a pressing need for change because of the various threats the area faces," said McGee. Currently, their focus is on the beaches of the KwaZulu-Natal south coast, between Mhlongwana River in the north and the Mhlongwa River in the south.

All the members of the Greenpoint Surfriders Foundation are also members of the Clansthal Conservancy, to which the surfriders pledge their full support. "Through our Greenpoint Surfriders Foundation's identity and establishment, the foundation members become automatic custodians of the area and are required to behave as role models," said McGee.

Saturday, 20 September is International Beach Clean-up day and the Clansthal Conservancy and the Greenpoint Surfriders will be going out in force to clean up the area. "This is the first of our joint initiatives and we are inviting all members of the public to come join us; you don't have to be a member to get involved, bring your family and make a day of it. Being involved in the clean-up with leave you with huge sense of accomplishment and the scenery is beautiful so it won't seem like work as you go about making difference," McGee concluded.