New surfing license plate up for Senate vote
by Kimberly Miller | April 29th, 2010The Endless Summer, the iconic 1966 Bruce Brown documentary that followed Robert August and Mike Hynson on a worldwide surf trip, may soon be a Florida license plate.
A bill (SB 170), sponsored by Sen. Thad Altman, R-Viera, was given initial approval Thursday morning, with a final vote expected before the end of session tomorrow. The House version (HB 83) matches the Senate version and was approved unanimously last month.
The plate would cost an annual $25 and benefit Surfing’s Evolution & Preservation Corporation, a nonprofit organization connected to Florida-based Ron Jon Surf Shop, based in Cocoa Beach. The money would pay for activities, programs and projects aimed at preserving the sport of surfing, including money for lifeguards, to promote the sport through exhibits, lectures and events, to prevent coastal pollution, and to build artificial reefs, according to a Senate analysis.
There are currently 113 specialty license plates authorized by the legislature. Sales of specialty plates generated more than $37 million in annual revenues in the 2009 fiscal year.
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April 29th, 2010 at 11:49 am
Good! Another revenue source while we can pick our own license cover rather than the typical one. Most states are doing this!
April 29th, 2010 at 11:50 am
Generated $37 million. OK!
April 29th, 2010 at 3:01 pm
I grew up surfing in Florida and have no idea what Surfing’s Evolution and Preservation Corporation is. Ron Jon’s is a tourist shop. A plate sponsoring Surfrider, another nonprofit organization that has serious credentials and is internationally known, would have been a better choice. Did anyone consult the surfing community?
April 29th, 2010 at 4:09 pm
Oh, Great! Another license plate!
Just what we needed to add to the already 106 to choose from.
Totally Ridiculous!!!
April 29th, 2010 at 4:26 pm
Hey if the fishing, teachers, golfers , etc. can have a license plate then i think the surfers deserve one as well.
April 29th, 2010 at 4:42 pm
Hey Ricky, the only thing that’s ridiculous is your attitude. Go move to a state where the state, the city you work in , AND the suburb you live in ALL tax your paycheck. If there’s 300 choices of license plates that raise income because a surfer wants to pay 60 bucks, or a turtle hugger wants to pay cash for artsy plates, MORE POWER TO ‘EM. Thats less money they want from me.
And yes, Surfrider is the go-to charity for the surfing world. The Ron-Jon thing sounds shady.
April 29th, 2010 at 4:55 pm
I grew up in Cocoa Beach & worked at Ron Jon’s when it 1st opened—-it was as tiny as a small convenience store with just a few surfboards & some Levis and pookah bead necklaces for sale. It was started as a “legitimate front” to hide all the DRUG MONEY the owner/operator was making!!!!! The State of Florida giving their “Foundation” cash,would almost be like us financing some of the top cocaine catels in Columbia—-(which you might actually be DOING!!!!!) .. The SURFRIDER Charity has been around a long time and is “vetted” and is a valid WORTHY CHARITY, unlike this Ron Jon’s “FRONT” that none of us who grew up surfing here havr ever heard of before!!!!!
April 29th, 2010 at 4:56 pm
Who’s that 50′s dude sporting quite a woody in silhouette in front of lake placid. I don’t see any waves…
Who’s grandma designed this plate? It looks like a combo advertisement for prozac and viagra on acid…
This should be a Surfrider deal…
April 29th, 2010 at 9:09 pm
Why is Altman’s name in the news every single day? I can’t wait until the legislature goes on break. The excessive press is making me nauseas
April 30th, 2010 at 11:44 am
Sweet!!!! Will definetly get this….
May 1st, 2010 at 1:52 pm
Personally I like the Discover Our Oceans plate and have it on my truck. At least it has a wave on it. I agree with other posts as well, I would love to see a Surfrider Foundation plate in our state. It’s a great orginization if you care about healthy oceans and beach access for all. If you’re not already a member you should be.
May 9th, 2010 at 7:05 am
To build artificial reefs? What does this have to do with surfing? And the association to Ron Jon’s “charity” sounds like it is more for their benefit than the benefit of the community. This should be struck down.