Several hundred surfers and marine conservation enthusiasts turned out to show their support for the organization while perusing artistic renderings of the world's most iconic surf breaks created by contemporary artists to raise money for the foundation. 

Founded by surfers in the early 1980s, the San Clemente-based nonprofit has expanded to more than 90 chapters worldwide with over 50,000 members that work on initiatives to protect clean water, coastal preservation and beach access.

"I really like their approach.  They try to involve everyone in the community, and they're not dickish about it like some organizations," explained Hoppus, an ardent scuba diver and host of the night's event.

Michelle Lombardo of Californication said the foundation serves as an important reminder for everyone to do their part in protecting the coastline.

"I grew up on the beach in Connecticut and I'm really grateful to be here to help people acknowledge that we take the earth for granted," she explained.

"Whenever I go to the beach, I take my bag with me and pick up trash because we all can make a difference and we will."

As part of the occasion, the foundation auctioned off artwork created by some of today's most well-known contemporary artists like Shepard Fairey and Thomas Campbell for the "Art for the Oceans" auction. 

Artists used large-scale paintings, prints and sculptures to depict some of the world's most famous waves that "define the surfing experience," according to international surfing legend Shaun Tomson.

Works ranged from abstract interpretations like Andy Moses' blue-toned rendering of the horizon and swells at Peru's Chicama, the world's longest left-hand break, to pieces that captured the essence of surfing like Andy Davis' breezy embodiment of the life aquatic at Australia's Kirra. 

Alex Weinstein's brooding black sculptural casting of Blacks, known as one of California's most powerful surf waves, and Fairey's mixed media collage of Maui's gigantic Jaws were among those that garnered the most attention from viewers and potential buyers.  According to one artist, pieces sold from $4,000 to more than $20,000 for Fairey's rendering of Maui's infamous surf spot. 

When speaking of Surfrider's founders, artist Melinda Morey acknowledged the impact of the foundation that spearheaded an environmental movement to protect the world's oceans and beaches during a time when conservationism was just emerging.

"They opened our eyes to saving our oceans," said Morey, daughter of Boogie board inventor Tom Morey and one of the artists selected to participate in the auction.

She said she created her depiction of Fiji's famous surf break Restaurant to advocate for ocean conservation through her painting.  Her gold-gilded painting, titled 'Bula Bullion' in reference to the cost of the notoriously expensive surf spot, sold for $5,500.

"I'm not much of an activist, but I really believe in what they're doing," she explained.

"If I can do something like paint to help create awareness, it makes me feel good - it's my way of being an activist."

The celebration honored members of the band Incubus, actor David Chokachi and Pearl Jam as "Keepers of the Coast" for their commitment to Surfrider and coastal protection. 

Professional surfer Jodie Nelson expressed her gratitude to the honorees, and Surfrider CEO Jim Moriarty commended the more than 3,000 supporters who showed up to a recent California Coastal Commission meeting to oppose a toll road that could have potentially damaged the famous Orange County surf spot Trestles.

Hoppus added his agreement to their praise. 

"If you fuck with our waves, oceans and beaches, we're going to fuck with you," he exclaimed to the cheering audience.

After the auction, the evening closed with performances by Dave Navarro, Matt Sorum, Donovan Leitch, Chris Chaney and Billy Morrison of Camp Freddy, along with Jane's Addiction frontman Perry Farrel and Sugar Ray singer Mark McGrath. 

Morrison admonished the crowd to "loosen their ties" and "have a bit more fun" while the mass rocked to covers of T. Rex's 'Children of the Revolution' and Oasis' 'Rock n' Roll Star.' 

McGrath ended the night by joining the group and jumping on top of speakers with a rallying performance for the throng of artists, actors, rockers and surfers there to support more than two decades of protecting the world's beaches and coastlines.