'Paddle Out for Unity' event in San Diego, California

© Brandon Colbert Photography/Getty Image

Paddle power. International Surfing Day

International Surfing Day promotes protection of the ocean by building a passion for surfing. Each third Saturday in June, people gather for surfing contests, barbeques, beach cleanups and other activities to help restore and safeguard the ocean environment. Coming together for a cause is a hallmark of the global surfing community, whether for nature or to stand against injustice, as they did at the Paddle Out for Unity gathering in 2020 in Encinitas, California, pictured today.

Surfing traces back to 12th century Polynesia, whose people carried the tradition to Hawaii. Today, surfing has expanded around the world. The west coast of Canada has some of the best surfing spots in the country.