June 20 is making waves around the world and for a good reason, as it marks the 11th anniversary of International Surfing Day. And celebrations across the globe are taking place to honor the sport, from beach barbeques and cleanups to surf-inspired after parties.

Wondering how you can join in on the fun and celebrate International Surfing Day on Oahu with friends and family? Here’s a look at some local events and beach activities near you.

  1. Get Involved: On June 20 from 10 am to 12 pm, the Surfrider Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s ocean, is teaming up with Barefoot Wine Beach Rescue Project for a beach clean up at Diamond Head Beach followed by an after party at Tiki’s in Waikiki with music, food and drinks. The Oahu chapter will also have a Surfrider table at Whole Foods Kahala on June 19 from 11 am to 7 pm with petitions, prizes and more! The Surfrider Foundation also have five active campaigns in Hawaii (two on Oahu). For more information about how you can get involved, visit surfrider.org or follow #ISD15 on Twitter.
  2. Get Active: Surf’s up, dude! What better way to celebrate International Surfing Day than by spending the afternoon out in the water? Advanced surfers should head on over to Waikiki Beach or the North Shore for a fun day in the sun. Not a fan of surfing? You don’t have to surf to enjoy all that Oahu’s beaches have to offer. Spend the day snorkeling at Kawela Bay, kayaking in the calmer waters of Lanikai Beach or plan a picnic at Ala Moana Beach Park with the whole family.
  3. Get Inspired: If you’re a beginner, consider taking surf lessons or paddle tours with Uncle Bryan’s Sunset Suratt Surf Academy or Hans Hedemann Surf School.
  4. Plan a Night out: Continue the daylong celebration by planning a fun night out! Beach Bar is located just steps away from Waikiki Beach and offers gorgeous ocean front views on their outdoor patio. Not to mention they serve up some delicious tropical drinks and island-inspired meals. Check out the full menu here. The Mai Tai Bar is another great hangout surf-inspired spot for locals with its front-row ocean views, tropical music and live entertainment at sunset.

World Oceans Month

Did you know that 4.8 to 12.7 million tons of plastic makes its way from land into our ocean every year? Or that, there is approximately 5.25 trillion pieces of total plastic floating in the world’s ocean?

June is also World Oceans Month. There are simple ways you can make a difference for our ocean, waves and beaches. Help protect the world’s ocean by volunteering on June 20 for the beach cleanup. If you cannot attend the event, consider donating to support Surfrider’s mission of reducing and eliminating plastic pollution on our beaches. Learn more about how you can get involved with World Oceans Month here or follow #WorldOceansMonth on Twitter.

What are your plans for International Surfing Day? We’d love to hear from you in the comments section below.