Keeping America’s beaches ‘barefoot-friendly’

Read more about: beaches, marine life, nonprofit, oceans, pollution, vacation, wine

With summer just around the corner, sand-warriors like me across the country will soon be flocking to the open waters. What’s better than warm sun-baked sand creeping between your toes? Not much for this beach-lover! I consider myself an avid sand-and-sun connoisseur, so when news like this creeps up, it definitely gets me gazing out the window in search of some waves.

Interested in learning more about the habits of avid beachgoers, award-winning California winery Barefoot Wine and the non-profit Surfrider Foundation commissioned a survey as part of the Barefoot Wine Beach Rescue Project, a partnership to keep America’s beaches “barefoot-friendly.”

The grassroots Surfrider organization is dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of our world’s oceans, waves and beaches. Founded in 1984 by a handful of visionary surfers in Malibu, California, the Surfrider Foundation now maintains over 50,000 members and 90 chapters worldwide.

The Barefoot Wine Beach Rescue Project, now in its fourth year, has traveled from coast-to-coast hosting more than 35 beach cleanups, ecological educational tours and other events to help keep America’s coastlines beautiful.

So which coast has the best beaches?

It was a tight race between coasts for the best beach, but the East Coast claimed the overall victory (37%), edging out the West Coast (36%) and Gulf Coast (27%).

Also, it seems that while the grass is always greener, the water is also always bluer! Eighteen percent of East Coast residents said the West Coast has superior beaches, while one in ten (10%) West Coast beachgoers said the East Coast has better beaches.

Cleanliness makes the grade – but barely

When asked to assign a grade to the overall health of the country’s beaches, the grades were less than stellar: an overwhelming three-quarters (75%) of those surveyed gave U.S. beaches a grade of ‘C’ or lower. Only 1% gave our beaches an ‘A’ grade, while more than one-third (37%) of all respondents say water pollution is more likely to keep swimmers ashore than a shark scare (33%).

Unfortunately, litter is as common a sight as lounge chairs and volleyballs while at the beach. In fact, 98% of respondents have noticed litter while visiting the beach, the most common types being plastic bottles (33%), followed by cigarette butts (30%) and plastic bags (13%).

Additionally, 86% of beachgoers found littering to be the most offensive beach behavior, followed by playing loud music (48%), smoking (46%) or taking up too much space (37%).

However, there is some hope on the horizon. Despite litter being an ongoing nuisance at the beach, a majority of beachgoers are pitching in where they can. More than three-quarters (78%) of Americans surveyed said that they have picked up someone else’s trash while at the beach (22% have not).

The Barefoot Wine/Surfrider Foundation survey was conducted among 1,000 American beachgoers ages 21 and older. The interviews were facilitated by Wakefield Research between 2/12/10 – 2/19/10. Margin of error is +/- 3.1%. For the complete survey results, please contact Marieke Bianchi, Hunter PR, mbianchi@hunterpr.com or (212) 679-6600.

To learn more or to find out about an event near you, please visit www.BarefootBeachRescue.com.

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