Behind the postcard views of British Columbia’s coastline lies a different story—one of plastic pollution, degraded marine infrastructure, invisible water contamination, and the quiet disappearance of public beach access. In this episode, we speak with Lucas Harris, Executive Director of Surfrider Foundation Canada, about what it means to protect the ocean when the threats are complex, systemic, and often unseen.

Lucas shares how Surfrider’s work in Canada—once focused largely on beach cleanups—has evolved into something much more ambitious: a strategy that blends grassroots organizing, environmental data collection, policy advocacy, and hands-on collaboration with Indigenous communities. From banning Styrofoam in marine infrastructure to driving youth-led campaigns on university campuses, Surfrider is building environmental leadership from the ground up.

We also explore ReSurf Gear Circularity, a new initiative addressing the end-of-life problem with surf gear—diverting neoprene and polystyrene waste from landfills and recycling it into new, usable materials. It’s an experiment in circular design with implications well beyond the surf community.

Ocean conservation in Canada isn’t just about pristine wilderness or protecting nature “over there.” It’s about what happens when people organize in their own backyards to shift policy, culture, and infrastructure—all while staying grounded in the realities of place.