Un Mar de Colores · Imperial Beach, CA
Addresses financial barriers that excluded Latino, Indigenous, and Black youth from competitive surf pipelines.
Un Mar de Colores ofrece surf athletic scholarship gratuitas para jóvenes de Imperial Beach de Youth & teens años, directamente en la costa de Imperial Beach. Sirviendo a una comunidad del 73% BIPOC (26,324 residentes), nuestra instrucción se lleva a cabo en IB Pier, con entrenadores bilingües certificados y todo el equipo proporcionado. La inscripción prioritaria es para estudiantes de Imperial Beach Elementary, Oneonta Elementary, Mar Vista Middle School.
Ongoing · Completamente gratis
Imperial Beach is the southernmost beach city in California and ground zero for our Tijuana River watershed work. Beach closures from transboundary sewage flows regularly impact water quality here, which is why our Imperial Beach cohorts combine surf instruction with direct environmental justice education — kids learn about the river and the coast as a single system. Mar Vista Middle and Imperial Beach Elementary are our flagship Title I partners.
Surf Athletic Scholarship in Imperial Beach is part of Un Mar's BIPOC-led Cali-Baja movement — competitive surfing as access right, not pay-to-play country club.
How much does competitive surf coaching cost in California? Private contest coaches often charge $100–$200 per hour. Un Mar de Colores provides one-on-one certified training, heat strategy, and mental performance modules free for Imperial Beach scholarship recipients.
When we say free for Imperial Beach youth, we mean wetsuits, soft-tops, rashguards, sunscreen, transportation, and instruction — the full stack commercial programs charge $50–$150 per session for.
Cross-border watershed work matters to Imperial Beach because Tijuana River pollution and coastal health don't stop at a border fence. Our education modules name that reality honestly.
Primary Imperial Beach teaching location — WHEN water quality is safe. Tijuana River sewage flows regularly close this beach.
Imperial Beach sits at the southern terminus of California and is the closest beach to the US-Mexico border. The Tijuana River mouth is 2 miles south.
En asociación con el South Bay Union School District y organizaciones comunitarias locales, reclutamos jóvenes de 3+ escuelas Título I.
The Surf Athletic Scholarship program supports BIPOC youth and teens pursuing competitive surfing at the scholarship or professional level. The program provides high-performance wetsuits and boards, pays all competition entry fees, covers contest travel costs across the California circuit, and provides one-on-one coaching from certified trainers. Scholarship recipients are mentored by alumni and partner professional BIPOC surfers, and the program specifically addresses the financial barriers that have historically excluded Latino, Indigenous, and Black youth from the competitive surf pipeline.
We do not charge families. Ever. That policy is structural — grants, donors, and shop revenue fund access so Imperial Beach youth are never waitlisted for inability to pay.
“"He used to approach new activities with extreme anxiety — to the point where sometimes we couldn't even get out of the car. Now he goes much deeper into the water."”
Latino, Indigenous, and Black youth have been historically excluded from competitive surf pipelines by cost and culture. With 73% of Imperial Beach residents BIPOC, scholarship rewrites who gets fees, travel, and mentorship — access as corrective justice.
California contest circuit events including NSSA and WSA regional competitions across San Diego — not limited to one beach near Imperial Beach. Coverage aligns with athlete development pathway.
Yes — parent communications during contest season are bilingual. In Imperial Beach, where 42% of households are Spanish-speaking, logistics, deadlines, and coverage are explained in English and Spanish.
Sí. Todos los programas de Un Mar de Colores en Imperial Beach son 100% gratuitos. Proporcionamos trajes de neopreno 3/2mm, tablas de surf, transporte desde escuelas asociadas como Imperial Beach Elementary, Oneonta Elementary, Mar Vista Middle School, e instrucción bilingüe certificada. El financiamiento proviene de la San Diego Foundation, subvenciones comunitarias y donantes individuales.
Las lecciones principales se realizan en IB Pier. Todas las sesiones de agua ocurren dentro de las zonas salvavidas de la bandera.
Servimos a jóvenes de Youth & teens años. Nuestra Beca One Ocean cubre las edades 6-12, Ocean Stewards After-School sirve a 13-17, y las Becas Atléticas de Surf están disponibles para jóvenes competitivos a través de nuestras asociaciones con South Bay Union School District.
Contáctenos a través de nuestra página de contacto. La inscripción prioritaria se otorga a estudiantes de Imperial Beach Elementary, Oneonta Elementary, Mar Vista Middle School y otras escuelas de Título I en South Bay Union School District. Los grupos de verano suelen llenarse con 3-4 semanas de anticipación.
Join hundreds of Imperial Beach families who trust Un Mar de Colores for free ocean programming. Enroll today.
Todos los programas de Un Mar de Colores son gratuitos para jóvenes de Imperial Beach. Contáctanos para inscribirte, hacer voluntariado, o apoyar el movimiento.
Un Mar de Colores es una organización sin fines de lucro 501(c)(3) liderada por personas BIPOC, basada en Oceanside, California. Ofrecemos programación gratuita de surf, océano y educación ambiental para jóvenes en San Diego y Tijuana — conectando culturas, costas y comunidades desde 2018.
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