Honoring, Healing Through the Ocean, and Expanding Access for All
Some days, the work we do feels bigger than any campaign or cleanup; it feels like something sacred. It feels like healing, community and like a little bit of magic pulled straight from the tide.
At Surfrider LA, our One Watershed program is one of the most meaningful things we do. At its core, it’s about equity, about making sure every young person, no matter their background or zip code, has the opportunity to experience the ocean's joy, freedom, and healing. Because access to nature shouldn’t be a privilege, it should be a right.
Photos by Shiho Yokota - AquaSurf team member
This program brings youth and families from inland communities to the beach for hands-on environmental education and beginner surf instruction. It’s not just about learning to ride waves; it’s about building confidence, creating connection, and deepening a sense of belonging in coastal spaces where too many have felt excluded for too long.
This summer, One Watershed carried even deeper emotional weight. It began with a phone call from Stephanie Mayer, a mother navigating unthinkable loss after the passing of her son, Cooper, a surfer, mentor, and force in and out of the water. Cooper had volunteered with Surfrider and taught with AquaSurf, inspiring young people and showing them what was possible on a surfboard and beyond.
“Because Cooper was — I often said — more sea animal than land.” - Stephanie Mayer
Stephanie wanted to do something meaningful in Cooper’s honor, and what followed was a beautiful convergence of purpose, partnership, and love. The Mayer family donated to support One Watershed, helping us bring even more kids to the beach, many for the very first time, to learn, to laugh, and to feel the water’s magic just as Cooper had.
This past Saturday, we welcomed youth from the Boys & Girls Club of Los Angeles for a powerful day at the beach, a day filled with laughter, courage, and salty high-fives. With the incredible support of our program leads Tatiana Vaz and Andrika Payne, our dedicated volunteers, and the professional instructors from AquaSurf, we created a space where young people could try surfing, some for the very first time, and feel truly at home in the water.
Thanks to the generosity of the Mayer family, in honor of Cooper, this summer’s One Watershed events have been able to grow in scope and heart. Their support has allowed us to partner with amazing community organizations like Concrete Queenz, Los Courage Camps, the Salvation Army, and the Black Surfers Collective, each one playing a role in breaking down barriers and building bridges to the sea.
This is what the ripple effect looks like: love turned into action, access, and joy. And we’re just getting started.