Meet people and play beach volleyball

Great way to meet new people, get some exercise, have fun and make friends. Every Sunday this meet-up group gets together at Pelican Beach to play volleyball. After volleyball, they meet at a local restaurant for dinner and conversation. Bring your water and don't forget to RSVP. Not competitive - just fun! 3:30- 5:30  Sundays! Satellite Beach.

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Seashell Festival

Raise your hand if you like to pick up shells on the beach! OK - this weekend you seriously need to check out the Space Coast Seashell Festival at Melbourne Auditorium. There are shells and other beach things to see and some you will never see again, unless it is at a shell show. They are huge and beautiful. This is a must for any beach babies worth their salt! Find out more here.http://www.examiner.com/article/2013-space-coast-seashell-festival

Only in Melbourne Beach

Nice way to get from home to surf! Park the boards on top and away you go!

Ocean, Reef & Beach Fest

 
Satellite Beach encompasses a unique stretch of Florida's Atlantic Coast. There are many public access points to its tawny beaches and important reefs, where anglers, surfers and myriad wildlife live in harmony.
On Dec. 1, everyone is invited to Satellite Beach's First Ocean, Beach & Reef Festival, at Pelican Beach Park, where the community will celebrate the beloved resources with music, food, live entertainment, vendor displays, artwork and free professional training and educational activities.

Attendees can pick from a long list of clinics, including but not limited to Hooked On Surf Fishing programs, Sustainable Fishing, Survival of the Beach and Hooked On Kids on Fishing program instructor certification. It's a great place to get fishing lessons from some of the best anglers in the state. 

Non-governmental organizations, businesses, governmental agencies, and vendors can display for free. Event organizers from Pure Ocean TV are encouraging interactive activities that demonstrate to all ages how people and wildlife are connected by coastal ecology. 

Contact Rodney Smith at 321-750-3374 or via email at irlcoast@gmail.com.

Rough seas ahead!

Weather officials say waves will go from six to nine feet on Thursday to about 10 to 14 feet near the shoreline Friday and 15 to 18 feet offshore.Use caution! Big waves + our coast = not always worth the work required to get out only to get thrown around.

Mullett running

Observed Monday, Oct 8 in Melbourne Beach, by 8th St, mullet running and drawing many small shark. One surfer got out of water, got iphone and did video of a 5' shark no more than 15 ft from shore. Other surfers were a little surprised and had not seen one that size so close to shore. It swam back and forth, on a path about 200 ft long. One seasoned surfer in our group said 'no way' was he going out! Watch the mullet - it's their time and the sharks are hungry!

Own a piece of history and help the ocean!

 
Your chance to own a piece of surf history is here! Bid today on a mint-condition Modern/Classic solid redwood surfboard shaped by the legendary Dale Velzy.  Measuring 10’2” x 23” x 2” this is a tremendous example of Velzy’s renowned craftsmanship.

A Velzy-shaped redwood board of this quality has never come up for sale or auction so this is truly a once in a lifetime chance to own a piece of surf history. Click here to bid!

All proceeds from the auction will support the Surfrider Foundation’s efforts to protect and preserve the world’s oceans, waves and beaches. Don’t miss this chance to win a unique treasure while protecting the treasured coasts you love! 6 more days left to bid!

For our oceans, waves and beaches,

The Surfrider Foundation

Sugar, the surfing rescue dog!

This is what you call " Hangin 60 " !! These dogs were entrants in the 2012 Huntington Beach Dog Surfing contest, held last weekend in CA. Just for participating, each dog got a medal that said "PAW-ticipant" !! And there were plenty of PAW-parazzi to capture some cute photos! These 3 dogs were attempting to establish a Guinness World Record. Follow this link to watch a video of Sugar, the rescue dog as she rides some California waves. TOO cute!!!

Farewell Endeavour

 6:45 a.m. - barely dawn...the parking lot is full and A1A is a nightmare. Sure am glad I got here early....most people are a) nodding off, b) checking email on their phones, c) slapping no-see-ums....waiting.

 Clouds and people begin rolling in around 7 a.m. Many, like I, are dressed for work...lucky ones that don't have to leave in a flash once Endeavour goes by...

Finally, dropping out from the clouds...so-long Endeavour...so-long era...

BIG Surfing Contest week-end!

 27th Annual Nat'l Kidney Foundation Surf/Skate Event in Cocoa Beach THIS Labor Day weekend!!

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1

7:00 AM: On Beach Registration (by CB Pier)
8:00 AM: Pro Am Surfing Competition Begins
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Ron Jon Surf School Learn to Surf experience
10:00 A.M. –4:00 P.M. – Massages by Melissa
12:00 PM: Live Bands at The Cocoa Beach Pier
                 Booker D. Surfdog Exhibition
                 2012 ISA Tandem Surfing World Championship
1:00 PM: Poster Signing celebrities and Surfing Greats
2:00 PM: Karate Demo
3:00 PM: Mar Chiquita Bikini Contest  (Oh Shucks )
6:00 - 9:00 PM: Surf Competitor Party

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 2

7:15 AM: Church Service – Non-Denominational
8:00 AM: Pro A.M. Surfing Competition continues
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Ron Jon Learn to Surf experience
10:00 A.M. –4:00 P.M. – Massages by Melissa
12:00 PM: Live Bands at The Cocoa Beach Pier
                 Booker D. Surfdog Exhibition
                 2012 ISA Tandem Surfing World Championship
1:00 PM: Poster Signing celebrities and Surfing Greats
2:00 PM: Karate Demo
3:00 PM: Mar Chiquita Bikini Contest  (Oh Shucks )

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 3

7:30 AM: ISA Tandem Surfing  World Championship Finals
8:00 AM: Pro Am. Surfing Competition Finals
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Ron Jon Surf Shop – Learn to Surf experience
9:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M. – Donate blood at the Blood Mobile and get a chance to win a $500 surfboard.
10:00 A.M. –4:00 P.M. – Massages by Melissa
12:00 PM: Live Bands at The Cocoa Beach Pier
                 Booker D. Surfdog Exhibition
                 2012 ISA Tandem Surfing World Championship
1:00 PM: Poster Signing
2:00 PM: Karate Demo
3:00 PM: Mar Chiquita Bikini Contest FINALS
4:00 PM: Awards Ceremony

Paddleboard surprise

In case you missed it in the news - and, no, it wasn't Florida; it was California - check out these pictures of the whale that was in the news this week!

Tour de Turtles

Join the Sea Turtle Preservation Society and UCF researchers for their annual Tour de Turtles Live Sea Turtle Release on Saturday, July 29 at the Barrier Island Center, 8385 S. Hwy A1A in Melbourne Beach, FL. 

Watch as they attach a satellite-transmitter on a loggerhead sea turtle then release it as part of the 2012 Tour de Turtles marathon. Start gate is at 8:30 am.  Plan to arrive 30 minutes early. This FREE event will also include family-friendly activities and T-shirts will be available for sale for $20 at the event. Parking is limited. If possible, carpooling is recommended.

Location:  8385 S Hwy A1A, Melbourne, FL 32935

Uphill battle

Sunday morning there were new turtle nests! And while it never ceases to amaze us how these heavy beasts drag themselves onshore to lay their eggs - these gals deserve extra points for scaling the 6+ ft sand dunes!!

The creeps

High above the water line and sand dunes of Hangars 2, this pile of coquina rock sticks out like a sore thumb. It looks like a grave but that has not been confirmed. And it probably won't be, at least by yours truly. It has been there for over a year and remains unchanged. Any guesses? It gives me the creeps...

It could be worse

It could be the dream vacation you've spend years saving up for. You could have extended yourself by booking a suite instead of a room. It could be the only week off you'll get this year. You could have packed 12 swimsuits but no windbreaker. You laughed when someone suggested an umbrella. It could be worse.

International Surfing Day

 Surfrider Foundation Sebastian Inlet Chapter!!!

Tomorrow, on International Surfing  Day, we will be having our monthly meeting, Wedesday, June 20, 2012 at  Paradise Beach at 6 pm (on the beach).
 Come out and see how you can get involved in the upcoming activities. 

Meet the group and enjoy the beach, music, raffles and some FREE BEER courtesy of our friends at Kona Brewery.

 Also, Saturday, June 23rd, join us at Long Doggers in Indialantic to continue the ISD celebration.
We will be celebrating at the restaurant and at the beach across the street.
Billy Chapman will perform, raffles, surf movies..don't miss out on the fun!! 

You don't have to be a surfer to join - it's all about the sea, whether you swim in it, ride on it, or just walk along the shore. If you love it, you've got to protect it. Come join and see how you can help!!

NKF Event at the Pier

National Kidney Foundation Kidney Walk, Circle of Life Paddle-Out & Sand Castles of Hope
 
7:00 AM - 12:00 PM  Saturday, May 12.  
Location:  The Cocoa Beach Pier 401 Meade Ave., Cocoa Beach, FL 32931


7:AM - Walk Registration & 'Circle of Life' Paddle-Out honoring Organ Donor families and living donors.


9AM Program:  5K Walk Begins @ Low-Tide - Make your Mark with 'Footprints in the Sand'. 


10:AM Building 'Sand Castles of Hope' Guinness Book of World Record Attempt; 600 2X2 Sand Castles in one hour. The current record is 539. This will be attempted by local children and their families.

Great outdoor activity for the whole family! 

Sunset-Moonrise

 Saturday, May 5 - for those who weren't knee-deep in Margaritas - was the night when the moon would be at it's fullest at any time this year. Friday night was cloudy and when Saturday was clear, and the sunset glorious - you knew you were in for a treat!

State of the Beach address

As we near the two-year anniversary of the tragic Deepwater Horizon Disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, the Surfrider Foundation Emerald Coast Chapter is finally releasing preliminary findings from the "State of the Beach" oil trend study. Below is a summary of the report's top findings:

1. The data collected confirms that Corexit dispersant mixed with crude oil creates a discernible fluorescent signature when illuminated by 370nm wavelength (UV) light.

2. The use of Corexit as a dispersant has inhibited the microbial degradation of hydrocarbons in the crude oil and has allowed Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) concentration levels to consistently exhibit high toxicity levels in excess of the carcinogenic exposure level specified by NIH and OSHA.

3. Of the 32 sampling sites, mainly in Florida and Alabama, 26 had PAH concentration levels exceeding the established carcinogenic exposure limits. In only three locations, samples were found to be free of PAH contamination.

4. Seventy-one samples were collected. Twenty-three were tested for oil range organics and 16 exceeded the target clean up levels specified by the EPA. Of the 48 samples submitted for PAH tests, 90% of the samples had contamination levels in excess of the carcinogenic exposure limit.

5. Tar product remaining in the coastal zone contains PAH levels likely to be toxic (levels > 80mg/kg). Wet skin dermal contact and absorption of tar product was documented. This unknown risk for human health and safety should be further studied.

6. Carcinogenic PAH compounds from the toxic tar product that concentrates in surface layers from natural beach processes was found to be leaching into the lower layers of beach sediment. One researcher's published scientific results concluded this could lead to the contamination of local groundwater sources.

The Emerald Coast Chapter began the oil disaster "State of the Beach" monitoring program in June 2010 in an effort to help beach goers who suffered from burning eyes, respiratory problems and other conditions since the spill. Existing government testing results do not provide sufficient information for the public to truly determine if Gulf beaches are "clean" enough for safe recreational use. The Chapter's independent testing provides a valuable source of information.

Click here to read the report.

Reminder: The government has stopped testing the waters of the Gulf - Surfrider never did stop.

Was it worth getting up for? Hell, yeah!!

Thank you NASA !!!!