A paddle out event was held at Cowell Beach in Santa Cruz, California, this summer, organized by Black Surf Santa Cruz, a nonprofit offering free surf lessons to Bipoc residents. The event aimed to commemorate George Floyd’s death and foster a sense of community among surfers. Esabella Bonner, the founder of Black Surf Santa Cruz, shared her first experience surfing and how it inspired her to introduce the sport to more Bipoc individuals.
The trend of diversity in surfing in the US is growing, with Black and Latino individuals making up 40% of the surfing population. A documentary titled Wade in the Water explores the history of Black surfing, tracing it back to African practices of wave riding. The film aims to challenge the whitewashed narrative of surfing and highlight Africa’s historical connection to the sport.
The documentary discusses how racism and segregation in the US hindered African Americans’ access to beaches and watersports, contributing to a lack of representation in surfing. Through interviews with Black surfers and leaders, the film showcases efforts to increase diversity in the sport and pay homage to trailblazers who broke barriers.
The future of surfing looks promising, with a growing surf industry in Africa and initiatives like Black Surf Santa Cruz working to make surfing more inclusive. Despite challenges with racism in the water, organizations aim to create welcoming environments for all surfers. Voices like Bonner and Johansson are leading efforts to promote policy changes and increase diversity in surfing, empowering individuals like Keisha Browder to reclaim their space in the ocean.
Source
Photo credit www.theguardian.com
