Activist spotlight: Brian Andrews

Q: What is your current role with the Surfrider Foundation?
Chair of the Vancouver Chapter

Q: Why and when did you get involved with the Surfrider Foundation?
First got involved around 2020/21 via attending some beach clean ups, I’ve been chair since November 2021. I was largely encouraged by my partner.

Q: What are some environmental issues that are affecting your local community?
Most has been various activities within Surfrider.

Q: What has been the highlight of your Surfrider experience?
Really proud of the work we’ve done with Ciggy Stardust (the cigarette orca) and the revival of the Vancouver chapter.

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?
I’d like to see more pressure on the city to fix the pollution in English bay

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?
We need to continue to be a welcoming space. I’m very proud that the Vancouver chapter is the most diverse chapter in Canada and I hope we maintain that diversity. To continue to grow and nurture this momentum will be to continue to have active members from various backgrounds to be leaders within the chapter.

Q: What is the most important thing you tell others about Surfrider?
That everyone is welcome here. Your time isn’t limited to when you’re on EC or at the beach. If you want to be a part of Surfrider, you are welcome here.

Q: Why is being a part of the Surfrider ocean conservation community important to you?
Because the ocean needs more friends.