International Surfing Day is now official in California

You might want to check to see if the surf’s up Wednesday.

The California Assembly on Monday approved a resolution declaring June 20 International Surfing Day, and the head of the sport’s international advocacy group is urging people to take the day off to hit the waves.

“You have my permission to skip work,” Surfrider Foundation Chief Executive Jim Moriarty announced on Twitter. “I’ll even write your sick note.”

Moriarty drafted an official-looking form letter that gives you “permission to call in sick on June 20th and go surfing,” suggesting to your boss that you “spend the entire day on the beach.” A spokeswoman said the nonprofit is sending electronic copies of the letter to anyone who requests them. (Whether your boss excuses you from work is a whole other question.)

Assemblyman and lifelong surfer Das Williams (D-Santa Barbara) introduced the symbolic measure Monday as “a way to celebrate California’s surfing heritage and raise awareness about the need to protect our oceans, waves and beaches,” according to a statement fromSurfrider.

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This story was reported by Times Staff Writer Tony Barboza.