Stand up for your (animals’) rights

We don’t often think of surfers as hard-working activists. But Kings Beach, Calif., resident John Merryfield busts that stereotype. He’s organizing Stand Up for Farm Animals, a 72-mile stand-up paddle board excursion circumnavigating Lake Tahoe. It aims to raise awareness about the negative impacts of the food industry on the health and well-being of animals and the environment. He started the annual tradition three years ago, inspiring the formation of the activist group Surfers for Compassion. This year the paddle begins September 16, and takes approximately two days to complete. Interested participants should call (530) 583-6190, or visit www.surfersforcompassion.org.