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Black Surf Santa Cruz (BSSC) is dedicated to creating intentional, inclusive, and supportive environments for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) within ocean and outdoor recreation spaces.
Our mission is to promote physical, spiritual, and communal healing through surfing, education, and recreation.
We center Black community members and other historically and presently excluded people of color in our programming, adhering to the guiding principle of “let’s learn together.”
Reclaiming joy, safety, and belonging in the water. / Physical, emotional, and communal healing through ocean and water play.
Providing Black /BIPOC communities with safe, supportive, and joyful opportunities to engage with the ocean and community through recreating, surfing, swimming, and embodied practices. Focuses on building water confidence, cultural grounding, and communal healing.
Programs included:
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Liberation Paddle Out (LPO)
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Prepare to Pop-Up Program (P2PUP)
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Pop-Up Program (PUP)
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and more....
Honoring our stories and shaping new futures together. / Learning, leadership, identity, and narrative change.
Building knowledge, shifting narratives, and promoting healing across communities through workshops, storytelling, arts, and cultural education.
Programs included:
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Educational workshops & talks
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UCSC Humanities EXCEL internships & mentorship
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Youth leadership & volunteer training
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Storytelling, media, and arts collaborations
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"Wade in the Water" I and II
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and more...
Protecting our coastlines and our people. / Challenging systems so the ocean is safe, healthy, and accessible for all.
Structural work ensures safe, clean, accessible, and culturally-affirming coastlines. Includes advocacy, coalition-building, and challenging systems to repair and protect communities.
Programs included:
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Nonprofit surf permit advocacy
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Surf Justice Collective
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Rise Together + coalition partnerships
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Climate Vulnerability of California's Natural Surfing Capital
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and more...
