What Surfers For Climate does

Surfers for Climate is an Australian registered nonprofit charity founded in October 2019 by Belinda Baggs and Johnny Abegg following a climate summit on Heron Island in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Headquartered in Byron Bay with a core team of 14 employees and a volunteer network, the organization mobilizes Australia's 2.5 million-strong surfing community for climate and ocean advocacy through a portfolio of community programs (Blue Minds youth workshops, Silver Surfers bodyboarding clinics, Water Women Campout, Trade Up for surf tradies, Surfer vs Planet research, Car Park Cinema screenings, Salty Brains Trivia nights) and advocacy campaigns (Final Fight for the Bight, Wild Waves Forever, Sea Sick, Protect What Lies Beneath, Supporting Coastal Communities).

The operating model is a hybrid of advocacy nonprofit and direct-to-consumer commerce. The technology stack is intentionally lean: a Shopify e-commerce storefront for merchandise, membership sign-ups, event ticketing, and donations; email marketing systems; third-party ticketing platforms (Humanitix, Sticky Tickets); and hCaptcha for bot protection. There is no proprietary technology platform, public API, AI/ML infrastructure, or mobile application. Revenue is generated across six streams: branded merchandise sales (caps at $40, organic cotton and hemp tees at $40-50, recycled beanies), a four-tier annual membership program (Sand $99, Zen $101, Rock $249, Reef $519) with weekly, monthly, and annual billing, paid event tickets, raffles, the Between the Flags golf fundraiser (powered by Polestar), and tax-deductible donations.

Go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, leveraging pre-existing surf culture networks including boardrider clubs, grassroots volunteers, and aligned partners such as Patagonia (via co-founder Belinda Baggs), the Save Scott Reef Alliance (Greenpeace, AMCS, ACF, CCWA), the Great Australian Bight Alliance, and the Great Southern Reef Foundation. Customer segments span the core Australian surfing community, women, older Australians, youth, surf tradies, and First Nations communities, with no enterprise customer concentration. The organization has achieved campaign outcomes including 17,000+ community members mobilized against the Scott Reef proposal, contribution to $102.5 million in government funding for the South Australian algal bloom response, and the 2022 release of The Carbon Cost of Surfboards report, the first lifecycle analysis of its kind in the surf industry.

Name

Surfers For Climate

Legal name

Surfers for Climate

Website

https://surfersforclimate.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Surfers for Climate is an Australian nonprofit founded in 2019 that mobilizes the country's 2.5 million surfers for climate action through advocacy campaigns, community programs, and direct-to-consumer merchandise and memberships. The 14-person organization is headquartered in Byron Bay.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental advocacy services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)

Keywords

• Ocean conservation advocacy
• Climate campaign organizing
• Nonprofit climate engagement
• Sustainable surf merchandise
• Community climate events

Headquarters

HQ city

Sydney (operated on Gadigal land)

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded apparel including caps ($40), t-shirts, hemp tees ($50), recycled beanies, and organic cotton items. 100% of merchandise profits fund campaigns to end oil and gas search in Australian waters.
2. Thriving Ocean Membership: Annual membership program with four tiers (Sand $99, Zen $101, Rock $249, Reef $519) offering monthly prize draws, early event access, and exclusive WhatsApp groups. Weekly and monthly billing options available.
3. Water Women Campout Tickets: Annual weekend event tickets ranging from $70 (day pass) to $520 (glamping twin share). Additional vehicle passes and meal add-ons available.
4. Raffle Sales: World Surfaris Maldives boat trip raffle tickets at $25 each, with bulk options for 5 or 10 tickets.
5. Donations: Tax-deductible donations accepted at $25, $50, $100, $250, and $500 levels. All donations over $2 are tax deductible in Australia.
6. Between the Flags Fundraiser: Golf event at The Coast Golf Club, Sydney on 22 April 2026. Individual and team registrations available, with prizes including opportunity to win a Polestar 4 worth over $78,000.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Surfers for Climate is an Australian nonprofit that mobilizes the country's 2.5 million-strong surfing community to campaign against offshore oil and gas exploration and protect ocean ecosystems. It sells mission-aligned merchandise (caps, organic cotton and hemp tees, recycled beanies), runs a tiered annual membership program (Sand, Zen, Rock, Reef), hosts community events and fundraisers (Water Women Campout, Between the Flags golf day, Salty Brains Trivia, Car Park Cinema), and accepts tax-deductible donations, with all commercial proceeds funding advocacy campaigns such as Final Fight for the Bight and Save Scott Reef.

Product overview

Surfers for Climate is a nonprofit organization that operates primarily through community organizing, environmental campaigns, merchandise sales, membership programs, and experiential events. The organization functions as a platform combining advocacy campaigns (Final Fight for the Bight, Wild Waves Forever, Sea Sick, Protect What Lies Beneath, Supporting Coastal Communities), community programs (Blue Minds youth education, Silver Surfers, Water Women, Trade Up, Surfer vs Planet research, Car Park Cinema, Salty Brains Trivia), and a commercial merchandise store. The merchandise line includes branded apparel (caps, beanies, t-shirts in organic cotton and hemp blends) sold through Shopify, with profits funding campaigns. The membership program offers four annual tiers providing access to prize draws, events, and community groups. Event products include the Water Women Campout (annual women's surf gathering), Between the Flags golf fundraiser, and raffles. The organization also accepts tax-deductible donations. The portfolio lacks any AI-powered features or public API, operating purely as a traditional nonprofit with physical and digital programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Surfer vs Planet: Ongoing research-driven project examining the environmental footprint of surf industry products, including boards, wetsuits, and gear. Formerly known as Wavechanger.
• Blue Minds
• Silver Surfers
• Water Women
• Carpark Cinema
• Salty Brains Trivia
• Trade Up

Products and services

• Surfers for Climate Cap One-size-fits-all branded cap with velcro adjustable strap featuring the Surfers for Climate logo; sold through the Shopify storefront with profits funding advocacy campaigns.
• Don't Kook It On Climate Organic Cotton Tee Unisex t-shirt made from 100% certified organic cotton carrying a climate action message; sold through the merchandise store with profits funding environmental campaigns.
• YI-WO Organic Hemp Tee Limited edition t-shirt (55% hemp, 45% certified organic cotton) produced as a collaboration with Thomas Campbell's surf film YI-WO; sold through the merchandise store with profits funding campaigns.
• Surfers for Climate Organic Hemp Tee T-shirt made from an organic hemp and cotton blend, part of the sustainable apparel collection sold through the merchandise storefront.
• Surfers for Climate Recycled Beanie Beanie made from 100% recycled plastic bottles (GRS Certified Recycled Yarn), produced in collaboration with The Common Good Company; each beanie recycles 1.7 x 600ml water bottles.
• Thriving Ocean Membership Annual subscription membership with four tiers (Sand $99, Zen $101, Rock $249, Reef $519) offering entries into monthly prize draws, member-only WhatsApp groups, early access to events, and a SunButter voucher for new annual members; supports ocean protection campaigns.
• Water Women Campout 2026 Annual three-day women's surf and empowerment gathering held September 11-13, 2026 at Flat Rock Tent Park, Ballina NSW, with workshops, wellness activities, First Nations cultural protocols and community connection; ticketed from $70 day pass up to $520 glamping twin share.
• Water Women Campout 2025 Past iteration of the annual three-day women's surf and empowerment gathering held May 30 - June 1, 2025 at Flat Rock Tent Park, Ballina NSW, with camping, workshops and cultural activities; tickets from $70 day pass to $480 general admission plus glamping and vehicle pass options.
• World Surfaris Maldives Raffle Raffle tickets ($25 for 1, with bulk options for 5 or 10 tickets) for a chance to win a Maldives boat trip from World Surfaris, with the raffle drawn December 29, 2026.
• Between the Flags Golf Fundraiser Golf event scheduled for April 22, 2026 at The Coast Golf Club, Little Bay, Sydney, powered by Polestar; individual or team of four registrations available, with a Polestar 4 valued at over $78,000 as hole-in-one prize, raising funds for climate campaigns.
• Tax-Deductible Donations Tax-deductible donation program with suggested tiers at $25, $50, $100, $250 and $500; all donations over $2 are tax-deductible in Australia and fund the charity's mission to end oil and gas search in Australian waters.

Quantifiable outcome

• Helped lock in protections for NSW waters from offshore drilling
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Common Good CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration to create recycled beanies from 100% recycled materials, specifically turning old water bottles into new beanies using GRS Certified Recycled Yarn. Each beanie recycles 1.7 x 600ml water bottles. Partnership aligns with sustainability mission.
• PolestarcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial vehicle partner for Surfers for Climate, powering the Between the Flags golf fundraiser event. Polestar 4 (valued at over $78,000) offered as hole-in-one prize. Both organizations focused on planet preservation.
• SunButterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSunButter provides $99 voucher to new annual members. All-natural, non-toxic Australian sunscreen brand aligning with ocean protection values. Partnership offers tangible value to members while supporting fellow ocean-conscious business.
• Save Scott Reef Alliance (Greenpeace, AMCS, ACF, CCWA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition fighting Woodside's Browse proposal to drill Scott Reef with up to 50 gas wells. Alliance includes major environmental organizations providing statewide backing for the campaign against offshore gas development.
• Great Southern Reef FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting the Great Southern Reef Foundation's $55 million Centro Business Plan to restore reef balance by controlling long-spined sea urchins, restoring kelp, and managing Sea Country. Organization backs their call for action.
• Defend the DeepminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting moratorium calls on deep-sea mining. Organization links to Defend the Deep's action page for supporters to email ministers about banning deep-sea mining in Australia.
• Manyana MattersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership supporting Zombie DA campaign in Manyana, NSW. Links to Manyana Matters for supporters to help bury zombie developments and protect coastal communities.
• World SurfarisminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMaldives boat trip raffle partnership offering surf trip as prize. Raffle drawn 29th December 2026, tickets $25 each with bulk options.
• Bower Camp Co.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlamping tent provider for Water Women Campout. Tents include separate bedroom and living space, proper mattresses, organic cotton sheets. Upgrade option for campout attendees seeking comfort.
• XOCOCOminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDemo surfboard provider for Water Women Campout. Offering range of XOCOCO demo boards for attendees to try over the weekend.
• Great Australian Bight AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStanding with the Great Australian Bight Alliance, Wilderness Society, First Nations custodians, and environmental champions for the Final Fight for the Bight campaign to secure UNESCO World Heritage status.
• Gary McNeill (Shaper)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeven-year collaboration with surfboard shaper Gary McNeill on 'The Seed' project, revolutionizing surfboard construction for enhanced durability and reduced environmental impact without sacrificing performance.
• Prize Partners (WAW, Tracks, Swellnet, Childe Eco Eyewear, Ocean Armour, Dr Bronner's, Somerside)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerMonthly prize draw partners offering products including bodysurfing handplanes, magazine subscriptions, sunglasses, towels, organic soap, and gift vouchers to reward member engagement.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• WWF-Australia: Australia arm of a global conservation organization with major marine and climate programs. Operates at far greater scale than SFC across species, habitat, and ocean protection; potential partner rather than direct competitor in marine advocacy.
• Greenpeace Australia Pacific: Large international environmental NGO with a major Australian presence running high-profile oceans and climate campaigns. SFC is a coalition partner via the Save Scott Reef alliance, but Greenpeace operates at much greater scale and with broader issue coverage.
• Australian Conservation Foundation: Australia's largest grassroots environmental organization with nationwide campaigns on climate, oceans, and biodiversity. Overlaps with SFC on Save Scott Reef alliance work and broader marine-protection campaigns but operates at much greater scale across all environmental issues.
• Wilderness Society: Major Australian environmental organization focused on protecting wilderness and natural ecosystems, including the Great Australian Bight. SFC partners with Wilderness Society on the Fight for the Bight UNESCO campaign; comparable environmental mission but broader geographic and issue mandate.

Emerging players

• Climate Council: Australian climate-focused communications and advocacy nonprofit turning science into public action. Comparable Australian climate-advocacy footprint and mission-aligned audience, though focused on climate science communication rather than surf-community organizing.
• Plastic Free Cronulla: Community-based grassroots campaign co-founded by Kal Glanznig, who now leads SFC's Blue Minds program. Operates in a similar small-team, single-geography advocacy model and demonstrates the kind of local chapter model SFC's network strategy could scale.

Others

• Patagonia: Activist outdoor and surf apparel company known for channeling profits into environmental advocacy. SFC co-founder Belinda Baggs was Patagonia's Global Sports Activist; brand alignment and credibility bridge make Patagonia a key ecosystem partner rather than direct competitor.

Direct peers

• Surfrider Foundation: Global surf-focused environmental nonprofit protecting oceans, waves, and beaches through advocacy, chapters, and community campaigns. Closest comparable mission and operating model to SFC, but operates across multiple countries with a much larger chapter network.
• Save The Waves Coalition: Nonprofit dedicated to protecting surf spots and coastal ecosystems through World Surfing Reserves and advocacy. Comparable niche focus on surf-spot protection that overlaps directly with SFC's Save Scott Reef and Fight for the Bight campaigns.
• Protect Our Winters: Activist organization mobilizing the outdoor sports community (skiers, climbers, surfers) for climate action. Highly analogous mobilization strategy and athlete-driven advocacy model; the most direct international analogue to SFC's playbook.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/surfers-for-climate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Surfers For Climate