News Summary
Hundreds of Black surfers convened at Huntington Beach for ‘A Great Day in the Stoke,’ a significant gathering aimed at promoting diversity in surfing. Organized by Nathan Fluellen, this event featured participants across diverse backgrounds and age groups, highlighting the challenges faced by marginalized communities in the sport. The gathering seeks to inspire inclusivity, drawing on historical ties, and is part of ongoing efforts to dismantle barriers in access to surfing for BIPOC individuals.
Huntington Beach
In early June, hundreds of Black surfers gathered at Huntington Beach to participate in “A Great Day in the Stoke,” the largest historical gathering of Black surfers, organized by Nathan Fluellen. This momentous event marked a significant step toward promoting diversity and inclusivity within a sport often seen as exclusive.
Surfers from across the United States and beyond, including Florida, Hawaii, Senegal, and South Africa, traveled to participate. The family-friendly gathering featured surfers from various age groups, with participants ranging from ten-year-olds to those in their sixties. Due to the overwhelming turnout, the number of competitive categories was expanded from three to five to accommodate the diverse group.
Challenges in Surfing Culture
Despite the event’s celebratory nature, the broader surfing community remains challenging for many individuals, particularly for women and people of color. One notable participant, Lizelle Jackson, a former pro volleyball player and extreme athlete, has spoken about the hostility she faced as a gay Black woman surfing in Malibu. She encountered aggressive treatment from older white surfers, highlighting the ongoing struggles of marginalized groups in surfing.
Surfing has historically been viewed as a sport dominated by white males, particularly in the Los Angeles and Orange County regions. Fluellen specifically chose Huntington Beach for its deep connections to surf culture; it is known as “Surf City” and hosts the well-known U.S. Open of Surfing. This location not only symbolizes surfing but also stands in a conservative area marked by past racial tensions, including a recent rally organized by a white supremacist group that underscores the need for inclusivity in outdoor sports.
A Historical Perspective
The gathering serves as a reminder that Black surfers have a rich history within the sport; the Black Surfing Association was founded in 1975, advocating for representation and inclusion. Interestingly, the surf culture was not strictly exclusive to white individuals, as evidenced by the first surfers in the U.S. being Hawaiian princes who took to the waves as early as 1885. However, systemic inequities have often kept Black communities from fully participating in surfing, with historical instances of denied beach access and water rights.
Inspiration for the gathering was drawn from the Black Lives Matter movement, aiming to increase visibility and promote inclusivity in surf culture. Alongside Fluellen, Jackson has co-founded a nonprofit initiative called Color the Water, which is dedicated to providing free surf lessons to BIPOC individuals in Los Angeles. This grassroots effort seeks to dismantle barriers that prevent Black individuals from accessing the ocean and participating in the sport.
Addressing Barriers
While the event was a positive step, significant challenges remain in ensuring equitable access to surfing for marginalized communities. Participants and organizers emphasized the need for practical policy changes, such as increasing beach parking and affordable housing near the coast. Kayiita Johnson, a participant, highlighted that better access to facilities and resources would be crucial in supporting the growing population of Black surfers.
A Great Day in the Stoke signifies a collective push for representation while challenging longstanding narratives about who belongs in surfing culture. As individuals and organizations continue to work towards inclusivity, the hope is that these efforts will lead to lasting changes that enable a more diverse and welcoming surf community.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
A Great Day in the Stoke Celebrates Black Surfers
Additional Resources
- L.A. Magazine: Making Waves with Nathan Fluellen
- Los Angeles Times: Black Surfers Ride the Waves
- Aloha State Daily: Julian Williams’ Surfing Journey
- CBS News: Black Surfing Community – A Great Day in the Stoke
- Surfer Magazine: Julian Williams – First Black Hawaiian Surfer
- Wikipedia: Culture of Surfing
- Google Search: Black Surfers
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Surfing
Author: STAFF HERE COSTA MESA WRITER
COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER The COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECostaMesa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Costa Mesa, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the OC Fair, Concerts in the Park, and Fish Fry. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, plus leading businesses in retail, fashion, and technology that power the local economy such as Vans, Experian, and South Coast Plaza. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
