Surfrider Space Coast October 2025 Meeting Minutes
Date: October 15, 2025
Time: 6:30 – 8:00 PM
Location: Intracoastal Brewing Company
1. Call to Order
Board Chair Nina Hunt called the meeting to order at 6:45 PM.
2. Icebreaker
To kick off the evening with connection and a little surf nostalgia, Nina invited attendees to pair up and discuss:
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“What’s your favorite surfboard and why — or your favorite surfing memory?”
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“If you don’t surf, why not, and what do you love to do instead?”
3. Guest Speaker Presentation
Speaker: Tom Neilson – Neilson Surfboards
Tom Neilson has been shaping surfboards since he was 16 years old, learning under experienced shapers and working with Quiet Flight before eventually launching his own line of custom boards. After briefly retiring, Tom found himself back in the shaping bay — his love for the craft too strong to leave behind.
In addition to being a master board shaper, Tom is also a massage therapist, and he approaches his work with the same attention to detail and intuitive feel. He spoke passionately about eco-friendly surfboard materials, sharing insights into sustainable alternatives such as sugar cane–based materials, and discussing the environmental impact of traditional foam, epoxy, and poly boards.
The conversation was lively, with many thoughtful questions from attendees — including several curious kids — about sustainable shaping methods, board design, and fin setups. When asked about his favorite board, Tom shared that he’s currently loving his 7-foot board, though his Flying Floaty Fish model will always hold a special place in his lineup.
4. Miscellaneous Updates
Ocean Friendly Restaurants (OFR): Joanie (OFR Chair) shared the latest updates on participating restaurants and outreach efforts, including Surfrider's sponsorship of Taste of Brevard - where we used grant money to supply eco-friendly options for cutlery & plates for the event.
Ocean Friendly Gardens (OFG): Bill (OFG Chair) provided an update on the upcoming planting plans and recent planting event recaps, highlighting community involvement and sustainability progress.
The chapter is currently seeking volunteers for the following positions:
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Events Coordinator
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Vice Chair
Those interested are encouraged to reach out to the chair - chair@spacecoast.surfrider.org - or attend next month’s meeting for more details.
5. Upcoming Events
🌞 November 1 – Sun, Sand, & Surf Event (8 AM – 12 PM)
A full morning of ocean fun including:
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Free surf lessons
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Beach cleanup
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Yoga class
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DJ music
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Surf competition
📍 Location: Lori Wilson Park North, Cocoa Beach
🌿 November 8 – Thousand Islands Festival (11 AM – 3 PM)
Join us under the pavilion for a day celebrating nature, conservation, and community! Surfrider will be tabling and selling merchandise.
The festival will feature:
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Kayak tours and safety demonstrations
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Pontoon boat trips to North Crawford Island
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Native plant tours with live flute music
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Scavenger hunt for kids
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Eco-friendly food trucks, adult beverages, and three live music acts
Between performances, speakers will share updates on restoration efforts and lagoon health.
📍 Location: Cocoa Beach Pool Pavilion – 4800 Tom Warriner Blvd, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931
🌎 November 19 – General Meeting (6:30–8:00 PM @ Tiny Turtle)
Guest Speaker: Zach Eichholz, Chief Resilience Manager, City of Cape Canaveral
Topic: Cape Canaveral Sustainability and Resiliency Initiatives
6. Closing Remarks
Nina thanked everyone for attending and expressed gratitude to Intracoastal Brewing Company for hosting. Attendees were encouraged to tip their servers generously, stick around to connect, and explore ways to get more involved in Surfrider’s upcoming programs and volunteer opportunities.
Meeting Adjourned: 8:00 PM
Minutes prepared by:
Nina Hunt, Surfrider Space Coast Chair
Photographer credit: Dominic Agostini