At Surfrider Miami, we understand that knowing how to swim is much more than an important life skill; the ability to swim, and feel comfortable in the water, opens up an amazing world of opportunities for education, leisure, sport, employment, and for advocacy. 

Our SEAS program was launched in October 2022 to serve our wider community. In addition to learning how to swim, participants enjoy environmental education sessions, execute a beach cleanup, receive surfing lessons, and take a seabird cruise on Biscayne Bay. 

Throughout this past year, it has been a joy to watch our neighbors of all ages develop a love for swimming and the ocean. Not only can we change lives by minimizing the likelihood of unintentional drownings for SEAS participants, we are encouraging more Miami-Dade residents to use their voice as environmental stewards. 

Karen began volunteering with Surfrider Miami 4 years ago when local beaches were closed for contamination. “I didn’t want to complain, I wanted to be a part of the solution”, she says. To Karen, the ocean is a beautiful, comforting, and peaceful place. 

Growing up, she loved seeing vibrant, colorful marine life when scuba diving and snorkeling. Now she’s committed to reducing pollution in the ocean and bay so future generations can witness thriving manatee and coral populations. 

Last August, when a neighbor posted in a chat group that they were in search of lifejackets for their children who didn’t know how to swim, Karen jumped into action and our SEAS Program was born! Now, she leads SEAS to help kids and adults learn how to swim, surf, and ensure healthy beaches. 

She is now in search of a passionate, dedicated volunteer who can be her "right hand", and help grow the SEAS program throughout the county. If you are interested, please email mdcliaison@miami.surfrider.org.

Of all the beaches in Miami-Dade County, the northernmost stretch of the Bal Harbour Village receives the heaviest concentration of problematic sargassum seaweed accumulation. 

Surfrider Miami is continuing to monitor Bal Harbour Village’s plans to address the seasonal sargassum seaweed issue - making sure this unique surfing beach is not negatively impacted!  

Give Miami Day, the largest annual online giving event in the Southeast United States, is just around the corner! This year, will you pledge your support to further our mission of protecting the world’s ocean, waves and beaches, for ALL people?

Bookmark this page, and show your support from 12 am EST on November 13th - 11:59 pm EST on November 16th. Together, we can #RideTheWaveOfChange. 

P.S. You can also donate via our website anytime you wish, with membership starting at only $5. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook or Instagram for reminders and updates. 

Floridians experience a steady stream of toxic water releases and harmful algae blooms that result in dead zones, wildlife losses, and human health impacts. 

We the people can decide whether we should hold our state agencies accountable for harm to Florida’s waters. We can bring this initiative to amend Florida’s Constitution to voters in November 2024.

*Supplies are limited. This Project is funded in whole or in part by a grant from the City of Miami Beach.