Surfrider Foundation and Kohls to host Ohana Family Day at Seal Beach Pier

The Surfrider Foundation Huntington Beach/Seal Beach Chapter and Kohl’s Department Stores are hosting Ohana “Family” Day on Sunday, April 22, 2012, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Seal Beach Pier and 8th Street parking lot. As many as 4,000 people are expected.

This is a fun-filled beach day for bringing friends and families together to relax and learn about our earth — especially the ocean — and what it has to offer.

“It’s all about the kids,” said Surfrider HB/SB Chairperson Tony Soriano, emphasizing the importance of getting kids involved in protecting the environment.

Ohana Day, which falls on Earth Day this year, features programs on environmentalism, shoreline ecology, and ways to create “ocean friendly gardens” that don’t pollute waterways. There will be hands-on activities, demonstrations, gifts, music by the Originalites, and more.

Families can learn about how to reduce ocean pollution and protect endangered species from the staff of the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific, watch Seal Beach Junior Lifeguard workouts, get wet with outrigger canoes, kayaks and paddle boards, or fly kites. Local wetsuit shop Coral Reef is bringing its surf team and setting up a dunk tank.

The Surfrider HB/SB Chapter and Kohl’s will have plenty of volunteers on hand to lead beach cleanups.The Chapter is eager to share information about its many programs: water quality testing, beach cleanups, Rise Above Plastlcs and Butts Out campaigns to get rid of plastic in the ocean and reduce cigarette butt litter, and its elementary school education activities.

Julie Gardner, Kohl’s Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, said, “This April, as we celebrate fifty years as a company, we are excited to continue making a meaningful difference for kids and the environment.”

Among the other sponsors and participants onboard for Ohana Day are: 5 Gyres Institute, Harbour Surfboards, Honda Dealers of Southern California, Java Jaws Coffee, Lokahi Outrigger and Paddling Club, Long Beach Windsurfing and Kayaks, River’s End Restaurant, Seal Beach Up Up and Away Kites, Shorebreak Hotel, and surf artist Robb Havassy.

Surfrider HB/SB Volunteer Coordinator Gene Rascon encouraged the community to come out and join in the celebration, adding “We extend this invitation for all those who love the beach.”

Featured photo

File photo by C.E.H. Wiedel of a crane on Seal Beach pier.

Earth Day beach clean-up after Run Seal Beach (oc-breeze.com)
Surfriders to hear about solar surfboards from owner of Coral Reef Wetsuits (oc-breeze.com)
Surfrider Foundation promotes World Water Day (oc-breeze.com)
Seal Beach Lions support Operation Egg Hunt (oc-breeze.com)

About the Author

Surfwriter Girls

Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel are Surfwriter Girls. Sunny grew up in Los Alamitos, CA., and loves Huntington Beach and Seal Beach. An environmentalist from an early age, she researched the ecology of the Newport Estuary for a high school Marine Biology class. A Communications graduate from CSU, Fullerton, who has been a sports reporter in the U.S. and Europe, Sunny enjoys putting her PR and journalism skills to use for the Surfrider Foundation. Patti grew up in Culver City, CA., near MGM Studios and camped and sailed on Catalina Island. With graduate degrees in film/Television and Business from UCLA and CSU, Long Beach, she’s worked in the entertainment industry. Patti writes business and fiction books with her husband Greg – How to Start, Run and Stay in Business and adventure/thriller Kona Heat. She teaches Management and Marketing at Cypress College and is a Surfrider Foundation volunteer.