Clean Ocean Action: Splash Bash was a Smash, Launching 40 Years!

On Saturday, February 24, COA hosted the “Splash Bash” to celebrate 40 years of ocean advocacy! Over 100 people gathered in Sea Bright, the town where COA started, for a pre-Splash breakfast at Tommy’s Tavern + Tap, and then at the beach to splash, dip, dive, or plunge for ocean protection! Along with cake and cupcakes to celebrate COA’s birthday, participants received COA branded socks to recognize their continued efforts to “sock” it to ocean pollution!

Splash Bash participants make a splash for COA!
Photo by Current Media Company

Waves of thanks to the amazing Splash Bash participants including COA volunteers, local business owners and friends from our 40 years! Special thanks to Tommy’s Tavern + Tap of Sea Bright for the beautiful event space and delicious breakfast!

It was a brisk day, yet many brave souls entered the 42-degree freezing water to the tune of “Wipe Out” by the Surfaris to commemorate their COA support! Charlie Rooney, whose father was Sea Bright Mayor when COA was founded, gathered locals and plunged for the cause! Dan Jacobson, the only guest that was at our launch event in 1984, joined the celebration at breakfast. New supporters gathered from CrossFit Shrewsbury to join the mighty COA-lition, and dedicated ocean-lover “Polar Barry” from Coffee Surf Co. made his daily “plunge” in support of a clean, healthy ocean. Special thanks to: the Borough of Sea Bright and Chief Friedman for making the event possible; Sea Bright Public Works for making sure the beach was stunningly clean; and Sea Bright Police Dept., Fire Dept. and EMS for ensuring everyone’s safety! Thank you to Lucky Dog Surf for the continued support and offering a 30% discount storewide to all Splash Bash registrants during the weekend of the event.

There was an ocean of emotion in the salty air as the community and dedication from those new to COA and those long sustained, was enough to warm the hearts of all! Thank you, fabulous true-blue friends and family! We are proud to continue making waves of change with you.