Un Mar de Colores · Cardiff by the Sea, CA
Shuttle from partner schools for inland Cardiff by the Sea families (on the coast) — access when the beach feels far.
Un Mar de Colores ofrece surf therapy gratuitas para jóvenes de Cardiff by the Sea de 6–17 años, directamente en la costa de Cardiff by the Sea. Sirviendo a una comunidad del 22% BIPOC (11,724 residentes), nuestra instrucción se lleva a cabo en Cardiff Reef, con entrenadores bilingües certificados y todo el equipo proporcionado. La inscripción prioritaria es para estudiantes de Ada Harris Elementary, Cardiff Elementary.
Monthly cohorts, year-round · Completamente gratis
Cardiff Reef is one of California's most beginner-friendly longboard breaks — cobblestone-to-sand bottom with gentle reform. Our Cardiff cohorts draw primarily from Cardiff School District's Ada Harris and Cardiff Elementary, plus Encinitas Union partner schools. The San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve anchors our Cardiff marine biology curriculum, connecting surf to watershed in a way unique to this corner of North County.
Trauma-informed surf therapy in Cardiff by the Sea should pace for anxious beginners — not throw youth into overhead surf for Instagram content. Our progression model starts in chest-deep whitewater with licensed support and certified coaches coordinated with lifeguard safety protocols.
Trauma-informed surf coaching reduces intimidation for first-timers from Cardiff by the Sea — lineup awareness taught as safety, not ego.
With 11,724 residents, Cardiff by the Sea is one of the communities where a single free surf cohort can change dozens of lives per season. Our shuttles and school partnerships make distance (on the coast) a logistics problem we solve, not a barrier families carry alone.
When we say free for Cardiff by the Sea youth, we mean wetsuits, soft-tops, rashguards, sunscreen, transportation, and instruction — the full stack commercial programs charge $50–$150 per session for.
Un Mar's primary Cardiff location. The cobblestone-to-sand bottom produces gentle, slow-reforming waves that are remarkably forgiving for first-time surfers.
Cardiff Reef's cobblestone point has formed over thousands of years from sediment deposited by the San Elijo Lagoon. One of the most welcoming beginner lineup cultures in California.
En asociación con el Cardiff School District y organizaciones comunitarias locales, reclutamos jóvenes de 2+ escuelas Título I.
Surf therapy at Un Mar de Colores is more than recreational — it's a structured, trauma-informed mental health program that uses the ocean as a therapeutic setting. Licensed mental health professionals partner with trauma-informed surf coaches to deliver small-group sessions (8 youth maximum) combining ocean-based mindfulness, somatic movement, and culturally grounded healing modules developed with Kumeyaay elders. The program is especially effective for youth navigating anxiety, grief, immigration-related stress, and family instability. All programming is free and open to youth referred through partner schools, mental health agencies, and community organizations.
Our impact is measured in youth served, school partnerships, and watershed stewardship hours — published annually in our impact reports at mar-de-colores.org.
“"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."”
Cohorts cap at eight youth maximum. Small groups ensure therapeutic attention, peer trust, and trauma-informed pacing — especially important for anxious first-timers from Cardiff by the Sea.
Yes — all programming is bilingual. In Cardiff by the Sea, where 10% of households are Spanish-speaking, bilingual staff lead every session and parent communications arrive in both English and Spanish.
Yes — a licensed mental health professional is on-site every session. This isn't a volunteer beach day marketed as therapy. Clinical staff work alongside trauma-informed surf coaches for Cardiff by the Sea cohorts.
Sí. Todos los programas de Un Mar de Colores en Cardiff by the Sea son 100% gratuitos. Proporcionamos trajes de neopreno 3/2mm, tablas de surf, transporte desde escuelas asociadas como Ada Harris Elementary, Cardiff Elementary, e instrucción bilingüe certificada. El financiamiento proviene de la San Diego Foundation, subvenciones comunitarias y donantes individuales.
Las lecciones principales se realizan en Cardiff Reef. Todas las sesiones de agua ocurren dentro de las zonas salvavidas de la bandera.
Servimos a jóvenes de 6–17 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 Cardiff School District.
Contáctenos a través de nuestra página de contacto. La inscripción prioritaria se otorga a estudiantes de Ada Harris Elementary, Cardiff Elementary y otras escuelas de Título I en Cardiff School District. Los grupos de verano suelen llenarse con 3-4 semanas de anticipación.
Sign your Cardiff by the Sea youth up today — every program is 100% free, with wetsuits, boards, and transportation included.
Todos los programas de Un Mar de Colores son gratuitos para jóvenes de Cardiff by the Sea. 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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