The Complicated History of Surfing in America | PBS

The stereotype of the Californian surfer does not match up with the diverse history of surfing. Color the Water is a Los Angeles organization dedicated to increasing access to surfing and reclaiming a space in the water for communities of color.

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America Outdoors with Baratunde Thurston:
Follow Baratunde Thurston, bestselling author and podcaster, as he explores the country’s diverse landscapes to see how they shape the way we work, play and interact with the outdoors. From coal miners turned beekeepers in Appalachia to Black surfers catching waves in L.A., uncover a deeper understanding of our passionate and complex relationship with the natural world.

[handlelesz]

That’s so inspiring! I just got a wet suit and I am learning to surf! Thanks for sharing this!!! I loved it!

[marih]

Very cool! I'm in my mid-60's. I hated swimming because it ruined my press and curl. Now with locks and twists younger ones have so much more freedom! Go for it kids!!!

[terenehidia]

I was the Black girl with a surfboard on the subway 30 years ago. But it was only this year I finally learned while traveling in West Africa and Asia. 🙏🏾🤙🏾🏄🏾‍♀️❤️🖤

[thorarthurddz]

Surfing is an open invitation to anyone willing to learn and engage with the ocean. Elevating its accessibility benefits everyone, regardless of race, and celebrating its rich, diverse history should emphasize inclusion over division. Instead of framing surfing through the lens of race, let’s encourage all people to share in its universal beauty and challenge stereotypes by simply breaking them with participation, not rhetoric

[barryshepard]

I'm so fortunate to have been on an island surrounded by waves AND everyone was dark skinned . It was when you didn't have a tan that you got picked on.

[SASHA-yk]

🫢Didn’t know “This”. What I saw on PBS, only made mention and showed one Black surfer. I’ve always wanted to surf, just began to check into it, then I came across “This”. I have no doubt that your video is The Almighty’s way of directing me to the proper source or step, to begin my surfing experience.😉👌🏿😌🙏🏿

[MILKMAN-m]

So nice to see Blacks are learning how to swim and surf! This is awesome!

[TheQuietStorm]

Very Awesome! Let's color the water everywhere!❤😎👍💯

[redsquirrel]

Heck yeah! I’ve never felt so inspired to get in the ocean!

[mammajeanine]

"Does my whole body fit in there?"😂 For real, though! I love my wetsuit, but it took me a minute to find one that fit comfortably.

[iamibie]

funny how surfing originated in Africa (first recorded in the 1600s in present day Ghana), yet here we are trying to fit in smh

[SEAQUEST-R]

Axe' Yemaya. No Ocean~No Us. 70% of Oxygen we breathe is generated in the ocean. George was Her Divine messenger.

[OniTan]

CALIFORNIANS ROCK LOVE YOU BEACH HONEYS. THANK YOU FOR SHARING. THATS WHY WE FELLOWSHIP AND NOT FIGHT. TO UNITE US AS A LOVING PEACEFUL INTEGRIUS LOYAL AND RESPECTFUL TRIBES. TO SEE THIS BEAUTIFUL WORLD AND HER BRIDES THRU OUR HEARTS AND EYES OUR ANCESTORS LAID DOWN THEIR LIVES FOR US TO SURVIVE HUAH. I HAVE TEARS SEEING THIS. IVE BEEN MARCHING IN PEACE AND STILL I GET ACOUSTED AND I HAVE NO WEAPONS ONLY GODS LIGHT AND MY MOMMAS WISH; KEEP HOPE ALIVE AND LIVE. SALUTE. THANK YOU SURF'S UP DUDE. 🤙🏽🦾❤️

[Itsallforthefunofit]

This is great but I still don’t see any “black” surfers … I see “mixed” surfers II don’t actually see “ Black” surfers unfortunately 😢

[peacecrewproducts]

I thought California surfing started in the 1950's or before that such as 1920's.

[jabbabbabba]

A paddle out fire George floyd? You must be kidding. How about just surfing. So sick of being divided by race. Me and some white guys will show up to a basketball court in Compton to "lighten the court" what type of reception can we expect? Will PBS run a special on it?

[greyscam]

when i see a foamie board i look to. kook moment