Teens Protecting the Ocean
Kaila Turley and Waian Turley are teen ocean activists. They are literally, teens protecting our oceans. Teen ocean activists founded The Original Surfers. They grew up in the ocean in San Diego, California surfing and swimming with dolphins. Teen ocean activists saw dolphins surfing the waves and they knew that dolphins were truly, The Original Surfers.
The Original Surfers is a movement for teens to help protect the beach and the ocean. The idea is to encourage teens to love the beach, ocean, and dolphins so they will stand up to protect them. “We’re teen ocean activists,” explains Kaila Turley. “We have three main causes. First, stopping sewage pollution at our beaches and ocean. Second, to stop plastic pollution in the ocean. Third, to stop climate change because it’s destroying the ocean ecosystems.”
Teen Ocean Activists – Stopping sewage from being dumped into the ocean
As Waian Turley tells it, “Teens protecting our oceans is so important because problems such as sewage being dumped into our local beaches are not being addressed by hardly anyone. There was a recent sewage study by San Diego State University that found that the biggest problem with sewage in our local oceans is not due to rain or the border sewage problem, but rather due to aging and leaky sewage pipes.”
Waian continues, “Where we grew up and still hang out at the beach, there is a permanent sign posted on the beach on the bluff, warning of sewage flowing into the ocean. This is where we hang out, swim and surf.” “The dolphins swim right by here every day. They can’t make the choice not to swim. This is where the dolphins live.”
* By the way. This photo of sewage in the ocean in San Diego was taken more than a month after the last time it rained. Supporting the SDSU study that found the biggest cause of sewage being dumped into the ocean is old and leaky sewage pipes.
Teens protecting our oceans from climate change
Climate change is destroying ocean ecosystems in every ocean in the world.
There are three main ways that climate change is causing serious damage to our oceans: temperature increase, sea level rise, and acidification. Oceans are becoming more acidic as they absorb more CO2 from the atmosphere.
The harm to coral reefs is by all three of these. Marine life is being killed due to these harmful changes.
Kaila and Waian are helping to spread the word to teens about the way climate change is harming our oceans. “Without teens protecting our oceans, we are afraid for our ocean’s future,” Kaila says.
Australia’s Great Barrier Reef has lost more than half of its corals since 1995 due to warmer seas driven by climate change, a study has found. There has been mass bleaching of the reefs. This is all due to greenhouse gas emissions. This bleaching happens when corals under stress drive out the algae – known as zooxanthellae – that give them color. Climate change is the biggest threat to reefs’ long-term survival.
Plastic pollution is Waian’s Teen Ocean Activist Challenge
Waian has made plastic pollution her own challenge. “It starts with cleaning up our rivers. 90% or plastic pollution in the ocean comes from three rivers. We have to do everything we can to stop these rivers from harming our oceans,” Waian declares.
Two separate studies concluded that 90% of the plastic from rivers comes from the world’s three largest rivers: Nile, Amazon, and Yangtze.
You might have heard of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. The Ocean Cleanup is trying to clean up all this garbage in our ocean.
What is a teen ocean activist?
We all know what a teen is – someone that is between 13 and 19 years old. And the ocean is pretty obvious. We hang out, swim and surf in the Pacific Ocean.
Activist
Treated Sewage is a problem too!
If not us, then who?
We invite you to join us at The Original Surfers to be teen ocean activist!
FAQ’s About Teen Ocean Activism In 2025
What does it mean to be a teen ocean activist?
Being a teen ocean activist means taking action to protect the ocean, beaches, and marine life. Teen ocean activists speak up about serious issues. Like sewage pollution, plastic waste, and climate change. They don’t just talk about problems. They work to create solutions by raising awareness, leading beach cleanups, and inspiring other teens to care about the ocean.
It’s about understanding that the choices we make every day, from the plastic we use to how we treat our environment, have a direct impact on the ocean. Teen ocean activists use their voices on social media, at schools, and in their communities to drive change.
At its core, being a teen ocean activist means standing up for something bigger than yourself. It’s protecting dolphins, sea turtles, and all marine life that can’t speak for themselves. It’s fighting for a cleaner, safer ocean today so future generations can surf, swim, and enjoy the water just like we do now.
How does sewage pollution affect our beaches?
Clean water and healthy beaches are important for coastal towns. But stormwater and sewage still threaten water quality. For many years, America’s wastewater systems have been ignored. Now they are old, broken, and failing.
Because of this, about 900 billion gallons of under-treated sewage spill into our waters every year.
Sewage can carry bacteria, viruses, and parasites that make people sick. It can cause stomach problems, rashes, skin and eye infections, flu-like symptoms, and worse.
Sewage also adds too many nutrients to the water. This causes harmful algae blooms that kill fish, destroy coral reefs, and put human health at risk.
Who are the people most likely to get sick from polluted water?
Certain groups of people are more likely to get illnesses or infections after coming into contact with polluted ocen water. Babies, young children, and older adults are at the highest risk because their immune systems are weaker. This makes it harder for their bodies to fight off bacteria and viruses found in dirty water.
People with health conditions such as diabetes, cancer, or immune system problems are also more vulnerable. Even strong, healthy adults can get sick if they have open cuts, scrapes, or wounds. Polluted water can enter the body through these openings, leading to skin infections or more serious illnesses.
Common health issues from polluted water include stomach bugs, skin rashes, ear infections, and respiratory problems. In severe cases. Dangerous bacteria can cause long-term health problems or even be life-threatening.
This is why it’s so important to pay attention to beach warning signs and closures. Staying out of polluted water protects both people and marine life. Keeping everyone safer and healthier.
But, in some ways. This misses the point. The goal here is to end beach sewage pollution. Period.
What role do teen ocean activists have in fighting ocean sewage?
Teen ocean activists play a big role in the fight against sewage pollution. They raise awareness about how sewage harms the ocean, beaches, and marine life like dolphins and sea lions. Many people don’t realize that old, leaky pipes and untreated sewage are some of the biggest sources of pollution.
Teen activists use social media, school events, and community projects to educate others and push for change. They organize beach cleanups, share water safety updates, and call attention to dangerous sewage spills.
Their voices also create pressure on leaders and local governments to fix broken sewage systems and protect the coastline. By speaking out, they inspire other teens and adults to get involved. Teen ocean activists make sure the problem isn’t ignored, so beaches stay safe for swimming, surfing, and marine animals.
What are teen ocean activists Waian Turley and Kaila Turley doing to stop ocean sewage?
Teen ocean activists Waian Turley and Kaila Turley are leading voices in the fight against ocean sewage pollution. They shine a light on how old, leaky sewage pipes and untreated waste are poisoning beaches and harming marine life like dolphins and sea lions.
Waian and Kaila use videos, social media, and public events to educate people about the dangers of sewage in the ocean. They share real stories from their own beaches in San Diego and during their travels to Hawaii, Fiji, Mexico and more beaches.
They tell about San Diego where warning signs stay up year-round because of constant sewage problems.
They also organize cleanups and inspire other teens to take action. By speaking out, they put pressure on local leaders to repair sewage systems and stop dumping waste into the ocean. Their goal is simple: safe, clean water for everyone. Humans and marine animals alike.
How can teens get involved in protecting the ocean?
Teens can make a huge difference when it comes to protecting the ocean. The first step is learning about the problems, like sewage pollution, plastic waste, and climate change. Once you understand the issues, you can take action.
Many teens join beach cleanups to remove trash before it harms dolphins, sea turtles, and other marine life. You can also use social media to spread the word about ocean problems. Inspire others to care. Even simple choices, like using reusable bottles and bags, help reduce plastic pollution.
Some teens go further. By starting clubs at school, working with local groups, or raising money for ocean conservation programs. Speaking up can also create real change.
Every small action matters. When teens work together, their voices become powerful enough to protect the ocean for future generations.
Who are the leading teen Ocean Activists in 2025?
Kaila Turley
Kaila is a teen ocean activist. Originally from San Diego. She is currently attending a well know private university in the heart of Silicon Valley. Kaila co-founder of The Original Surfers. She focuses on fighting sewage pollution, plastic waste, and climate change to protect beaches and marine life.
Waian Turley
Waian is a teen ocean activist and co-founder of The Original Surfers. She is a high school student. She works to raise awareness about sewage problems and plastic pollution while inspiring other teens to take action.
Finlay Pringle
Finlay is a 14-year-old from Scotland who speaks out about plastic pollution and marine damage. He campaigns locally and globally, including as a “shark ambassador,” to protect ocean wildlife.
Cheyenne
Cheyenne is 17 and part of the Team Ocean Youth Leadership Council in Florida. She works hands-on with coral reef restoration and other marine conservation projects.
Autumn Peltier
At 17, Autumn is an Indigenous activist advocating for clean water rights for First Nation communities in Canada. Her work draws global attention to water justice and ocean health.
Rahmina Paullete
Rahmina is a Kenyan teen leading the #LetLakeVictoriaBreatheAgain campaign and founder of Kisumu Environmental Champions. She fights pollution in Lake Victoria, protecting both people and marine ecosystems.
Haaziq Kazi
Haaziq is a young innovator from India known for his project “ERVIS,” designed to remove plastic waste from the ocean. He also raises awareness about ocean plastic pollution through public speaking and education.