Activist Spotlight: Jen Cochrane
Q: What is your current role with the Surfrider Foundation?
I just joined as an Executive Committee Member who will be leading fundraising initiatives for the Vancouver Chapter.
Q: Why and when did you get involved with the Surfrider Foundation?
As a newbie this year, I am super excited to say “just recently”! Why…to keep it simple - I love the ocean! I'm really excited to get to know all the community and be a part of something bigger than oneself.
Q: What are some environmental issues that are affecting your local community?
I am a scuba diver (yes here locally), and am very passionate about keeping the ocean playground healthy above and below the water for people and for all the critters. Vancouver is a high traffic port for ships and also busy with people using the beaches as a place for recreational and social gatherings. Obviously this has an impact on ocean health and creates an opportunity for everyone to get involved in protecting where we play.
Q: What has been the highlight of your Surfrider experience (i.e., campaign, program, victory)?
Really enjoyed the Earth day beach clean at the Maritime museum - check it out! Preemptively speaking and fingers crossed, if I had a crystal ball I’d also say a really fun fundraiser event in the later half of 2024. If you have any ideas, let us know :)
Q: Do you have any personal experiences or campaigns/issues that you're passionate about where the social justice and environmental movements have intersected?
If so, can you tell us about them? We do lots of beach cleans which are so rewarding to be a part of, I would love to work with the diving community to pick up all the same things underwater. I know a lot of local dive shops do this, and I’d love to have Surfriders join forces with the diving community.
Q: What can Surfrider do to foster an inclusive and welcoming experience? Do you have any examples from your experience where this is successfully happening?
Everyone is welcome at Surfrider! Inclusivity means a lot of things e.g gender, race, age, nationality. I’d encourage current members to invite family and friends, and easy things like when in public for example at a beach clean chit-chat to the public, get them excited to join us. I also think inclusivity extends to not just “surf”-riders but general beachgoers, kitesurfers, divers, sailors, rowers, fish-eaters (we won't have fish otherwise), fish conservationists, fishermen… that’s not intended as facetious, I truly believe there is a space for everyone and welcoming arms/fins.
Q: What is the most important thing you tell others about Surfrider?
I love our motto “protect where you play”. The ocean is a gift and a sanctuary and a place where I hope everyone and future generations have the opportunity to play.
Q: Why is being a part of the Surfrider ocean conservation community important to you?
The ocean brings me so much joy and peace, so it’s very close to my heart. It takes a team to make things happen and the Surfrider ocean conservation community is just that.
