What Does It Take To Save Malibu?

Bulldozers at Surfrider Beach

In 1983, the first time the bulldozer started carving a channel outflow for the lagoon toward the point at Malibu's Surfrider Beach, Lance Carson went up and tried to explain what they were doing might ruin the world-class wave.

The ranger's response to Lance's input?

“I don't know who you are, but you are not part of this conversation," as the ranger continued to give instructions to the operator of the bulldozer. Lance tried to protest, and a young grom from Malibu even sat down in front of the dozer. But the Parks guy just ignored them as the D-4 fired up.

Lance grabbed the grommet and pulled him out of the way, and the destruction of Malibu's first point began.

Constant Pressure, Endlessy Applied

Glenn Hening, along with Tom Pratte and Lance Carson, organized and led a community effort to voice their concerns to State Parks and Army Corps officials. Much to the local government’s surprise, the newly minted ‘Surfrider Foundation’ made a strong case for an alternate plan, one that would protect the waves at Malibu and had overwhelming popular support. By the end of an initial public hearing with State Parks' officials in 1984, Surfrider’s founders had secured verbal commitments that their recommendations would be implemented, preserving one of surfing’s most iconic waves.

The Surfrider Foundation’s long-term success and growth are a tribute to its founders' vision that taking on an environmental battle may not be easy, but with constant pressure, endlessly applied, it can be won.

To learn more about Surfrider's inspiring origin story, visit: www.surfrider.org/news/surfriders-origin-story