Become a Volunteer Today

High Priority Volunteer Opportunities

We value volunteers in all areas, but these roles are currently our top priority and highest need: 

Beach Guardians Coordinator

As a Beach Guardian Coordinator, you’ll play a vital role in leading our Beach Guardian Program—training and supporting volunteers who monitor local beaches, collect data, and report environmental concerns. This is a great opportunity to build leadership skills, protect our coastline, and deepen your impact in the Santa Cruz community.

This role involves onboarding and training new Beach Guardians, staying in touch with active volunteers, ensuring data is submitted properly, and coordinating occasional meetups or trainings. You’ll also help review findings and communicate key insights to the Surfrider team.

We’ll provide all the training and support you need. We’re looking for someone who can commit to volunteering with us for at least a year.

• Volunteer type: Ongoing
• Time commitment: Roughly 3-4 hours per month
• How to get involved: Sign up here

Events Assistant

As a Surfrider Events Assistant, you’ll help plan and support events like chapter meetings, community gatherings, and tabling. This is a great opportunity to connect with others and grow Surfrider’s impact in the Santa Cruz area.

You’ll work closely with the Program and Events Coordinator to research upcoming opportunities, coordinate materials, conduct outreach, assist with setup, and help staff events. You may also represent Surfrider at public tabling events and support day-of logistics.

Training and guidance are provided. We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers who can commit to supporting events for at least one year.

• Volunteer type: Ongoing
• Time commitment: Roughly 3-4 hours per week
• How to get involved: Sign up here

Communications Coordinator

As a Communications Coordinator, you’ll play a key role in helping to amplify Surfrider’s message and mission within the local community.

You’ll manage communication efforts across social media, email, newsletters, and press outreach, ensuring that our campaigns, events, and advocacy efforts reach and inspire a wide audience. This role is perfect for someone passionate about ocean conservation and excited to make an impact through strategic messaging and storytelling.

By shaping the way Surfrider engages with the community, you'll help drive action and awareness on critical environmental issues facing our coastlines.

• Volunteer type: Ongoing
• Time commitment: Roughly 3-5 hours per week
• How to get involved: Sign up here