Black Surf Santa Cruz aims to tear down barriers that oftentimes keep our oceans segregated. By taking a strategic focus on both physical and spiritual wellness, Black Surf Santa Cruz aims to create a community of healing for our Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Communities here in Santa Cruz. Black Surf empowers our Black community to reclaim their space in the ocean through surfing, spiritual wellness, water safety, and community. Join us as we work to make Santa Cruz County a more inclusive place for all.
Black Surf Club Santa Cruz aims to tear down barriers that oftentimes keep our oceans segregated. By taking a strategic focus on both physical and spiritual wellness, Black Surf Club Santa Cruz aims to create a community of healing for our Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Communities here in Santa Cruz. Black Surf Club empowers our Black community to reclaim their space in the ocean through surfing, spiritual wellness, water safety, and community. Join us as we work to make Santa Cruz County a more inclusive place for all.
OUR PROGRAMS
PREPARE TO POP-UP
The “Prepare to Pop-up” Surf Program is a 4-week program broken out into four phases.
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Water Safety - poolside
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Participants will build community and get to know each other, learn how to become better land stewards, have an opportunity to give back to the land, honor indigenous ancestors, and build community. Get equipment and have an opportunity to change into wetsuits.
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On Land Session - on the sand
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Participants will be guided through a sand session where they will have the opportunity to learn basic ocean safety, brief surf history, surfing best practices and safety tips; how to enter and exit the water safely; and how to surf. Participants will also be invited to join an educational tide-pooling excursion and brief beach cleanup.
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“Pop-Up” Surf Program - in the ocean
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This will be participant-driven and can include, but will not be limited to, boogie boarding, kayaking, or surfing if desired.
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Community Healing/ Debrief - sharing and gratitude circle, photos of sessions provided to participants and shared with the community at large.
The “Pop-Up” Surf Program is a one-day surf outing broken out into four phases. We will facilitate 12 Pop Up Surf events in 2023, and 12 in 2024. Events will occur roughly once per month.
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Pre-Session Meeting
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Participants will build community and get to know each other, learn how to become better land stewards, have an opportunity to give back to the land, honor indigenous ancestors and build community. Get equipment and have an opportunity to change into wetsuits.
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On Land Session
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Participants will be guided through a sand session where they will have the opportunity to learn basic ocean safety, brief surf history, surfing best practices and safety tips; how to enter and exit the water safely; and how to surf.
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In Water Session
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Participants will use their newfound surfing knowledge and will spend 1.5 hours experiencing surfing in community with other participants.
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Community Healing/ Debrief
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Following the water session, participants will engage in a restorative discussion circle and activity including but not limited to Amah Mutsun land back education, educational programming in reverence to the Hawaiian cultural practice of surfing, yoga, meditation, and other stewardship activities.
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LIBERATION PADDLE OUT FUNDRAISING EVENTS(S)
In concert with the Juneteenth event programming throughout Santa Cruz County, The Liberation Paddle Out is a community event that celebrates the achievements of our members, and specifically showcases the first Prepare to Pop Up cohorts and acts as a graduation of these cohorts per each year of grant funding. This event is open to the entire community and encourages relationship-building and awareness with the general public.
FIELD TRIPS
Once per quarter, BSSC will partner with a local company or organization that provides outdoor recreational activity to provide an entry-level experience in said activity. Activities will be
Experiences may include, but will not be limited to any of the following: Kayaking, Mountain biking, disc golfing, climbing, camping, whale watching, hiking, etc.
