Un Mar de Colores · Del Mar, CA
Competition entry fees, travel costs, high-performance gear, and one-on-one coaching — funded for BIPOC surfers from Del Mar.
Un Mar de Colores's Surf Athletic Scholarship program supports competitive BIPOC youth and teens from Del Mar and the greater San Diego region. Scholarship athletes receive high-performance gear, competition entry fees, coaching, and travel support across the California contest circuit. Local training happens at 15th Street Beach. Referrals and nominations come through Del Mar Union School District athletics programs and our partner community organizations.
Ongoing · Completely free
Del Mar's 2.5-mile coastline produces some of the cleanest water and most consistent small waves in the region, protected by the San Dieguito River mouth eddies. Our 15th Street Beach lessons sit in front of Powerhouse Park, which doubles as our outdoor classroom. We partner with Del Mar Union's Del Mar Heights and Ashley Falls Elementary — serving primarily inland Del Mar Mesa and Carmel Valley neighborhoods.
Surf Athletic Scholarship for BIPOC surfers in Del Mar covers competition entry fees, California contest circuit travel, high-performance gear, and one-on-one coaching at zero family cost. Un Mar de Colores addresses financial barriers that excluded Latino, Indigenous, and Black youth from competitive surf pipelines — funded by grants and donors.
Physical therapy and injury prevention for scholarship surfers — athletes aren't told to push through pain because rehab wasn't budgeted in Del Mar households.
Safe, lifeguard-coordinated instruction is non-negotiable for Del Mar youth. Every water session runs inside flagged zones with certified coaches — parents shouldn't have to choose between access and safety.
Cross-border watershed work matters to Del Mar because Tijuana River pollution and coastal health don't stop at a border fence. Our education modules name that reality honestly.
Un Mar's primary Del Mar location, directly in front of Powerhouse Park — which doubles as our outdoor classroom space.
15th Street sits in the heart of Del Mar Village, adjacent to Powerhouse Park, the historic 1928 beach concession building that gives the park its name.
In partnership with Del Mar Union School District and local community organizations, we recruit youth from 2+ Title I schools.
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.
Federal EIN 85-2947340. Mailing: PO BOX 232471, Encinitas, CA 92024. We operate on the ancestral lands of the Kumeyaay Nation with respect and community accountability.
“"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."”
California contest circuit events including NSSA and WSA regional competitions across San Diego — not limited to one beach near Del Mar. Coverage aligns with athlete development pathway.
Yes — parent communications during contest season are bilingual. In Del Mar, where 8% of households are Spanish-speaking, logistics, deadlines, and coverage are explained in English and Spanish.
Surf lessons serve beginners ages 6–17 with weekly instruction. Scholarship serves contest-ready BIPOC athletes with fees, travel, high-performance gear, and elite coaching. Many Del Mar scholars start in lessons and advance through pipeline.
Yes. All Un Mar de Colores programs in Del Mar are 100% free — including 3/2mm wetsuits, soft-top surfboards, transportation from partner schools like Del Mar Heights Elementary, Ashley Falls Elementary, and certified bilingual instruction. Funding comes from the San Diego Foundation, community grants, and individual donors. No Del Mar family has ever paid for our programming.
Primary water sessions run at 15th Street Beach. Classroom components happen at Del Mar Foundation and other partner sites. All water activities happen within lifeguard-flag zones.
We serve youth ages Youth & teens. In Del Mar specifically, our recruitment runs through Del Mar Union School District — with priority enrollment for students from Del Mar Heights Elementary, Ashley Falls Elementary. Cohorts are age-appropriate (One Ocean for 6–12, Ocean Stewards for 13–17).
No. We begin every cohort with ocean-safety fundamentals in chest-deep whitewater at 15th Street Beach, supervised by instructors certified by the San Diego Fire-Rescue Lifeguard Division. Water comfort is built progressively. In Del Mar, we also run pre-cohort pool-familiarization sessions at local community pools for students who request extra comfort-building.
Yes. All Un Mar de Colores programs are bilingual — and in Del Mar, where 8% of households are Spanish-speaking, we intentionally pair at least one bilingual coach to every session. Cultural programming is delivered in both languages, and parent communications are always sent in Spanish and English.
Three ways: (1) everything is free, while most Del Mar surf programs charge $50–$150 per lesson; (2) we are BIPOC-led and our coaches reflect the 20%-BIPOC Del Mar community we serve; (3) our curriculum includes environmental justice, Kumeyaay coastal history, and cultural arts — not just surf skills. We exist because the ocean should belong to everyone in Del Mar, not just those who can afford access.
Visit our sign-up page or contact us directly. Priority enrollment goes to students of Del Mar Heights Elementary, Ashley Falls Elementary and referrals from Del Mar Foundation and Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. Summer cohorts fill 3–4 weeks before start, so early contact is recommended.
Free means free. No hidden fees, no gear costs, no transportation charges for Del Mar participants.
All Un Mar de Colores programs are free for Del Mar youth. Reach out to enroll, volunteer, or support the movement.
Un Mar de Colores is a BIPOC-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Oceanside, California. We provide free surf, ocean, and environmental programming for youth across San Diego and Tijuana — bridging cultures, coasts, and communities since 2018.
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