Color the Water

Since 2020, Color the Water (CTW) has offered free anti-racist surf lessons, media, and education to all Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. CTW strives for a liberated surf culture rooted in racial justice, and envisions a space of belonging and support for physically disabled People of Color. Our goal is to not only welcome Disabled People of Color but create an inclusive surf culture that uses disability justice principles that center the advancement of physical, mental, and emotional health and wellness for people of all abilities.

Color the Water offers free anti-racist, racial trauma-informed surf lessons, media, and community to all BIPOC since the summer of 2020. We aim to increase our capacity to serve by equipping our existing BIPOC community to instruct, care for, and ensure the safety of our community of learning surfers, both on land and in the ocean with: - water safety trainings including swim lessons and CPR - safe affinity spaces for racial healing and celebration - instructional, educational, and storytelling materials of and for BIPOC surfers

Through free surf lessons for all BIPOC, education on surf history & culture, and original media content that elevates representation, Color the Water is committed to fighting racism, reclaiming coastal land and waters, and changing surf culture in Los Angeles. We are transforming surf culture from the aggressive, territorial way it is now into something similar to its roots - surf based on a love and respect for the ocean centered in sharing, community and compassion, while helping surfers care for and protect the ocean and each other.