Un Mar de Colores · San Diego County
Free Monday–Friday Surf Camp on the San Diego County Coast
Cultural arts afternoons — painting, poetry, storytelling — center Indigenous and Latino coastal voices.
- Ages
- 6–17
- Schedule
- Summer (June–August), Monday–Friday cohorts
- Cost
- Free
Our summer surf camps run Monday through Friday across North County and San Diego, serving BIPOC youth ages 6–17. Each one-week cohort combines four mornings of in-water surf instruction with afternoon programming in marine ecology, Kumeyaay coastal history, and cultural arts. Camps are capped at 18 students per cohort to maintain a 4:1 student-to-instructor ratio, and every camp ends with a Friday family showcase on the beach. Camps are entirely free — wetsuits, boards, transportation, daily lunch, and all materials included.
This hub connects San Diego County families to surf camp across 27 cities. Every city link below is a full local page with beaches, school partners, and enrollment paths — not an empty gateway.
You might be feeling this
- —Every paid surf camp assumes you already own gear and can drive to The Strand, Tamarack, Moonlight Beach, La Jolla Shores, Mission Beach, and Imperial Beach every morning at 8am.
- —Competition pathways feel reserved for kids whose parents already know the contest circuit. Camp is where that gap starts.
- —By June, San Diego County cohorts are full and you're told to try next year — again.
- —You need predictable schedules and bilingual parent updates — not a signup page that ghosts Spanish-speaking families.
What changes when youth get in the water
- Grant- and donor-funded model means zero tuition — no deposits, no equipment rental upsells.
- Wetsuits, soft-top boards, and rashguards provided for the entire week — properly sized youth gear.
- Your family joins a BIPOC-led movement rewriting coastal access across San Diego County — not a tourist camp.
- Cultural arts workshops — painting, poetry, storytelling — with Kumeyaay coastal history modules.
Surf Camp across San Diego County — what families should know
Ocean equity in San Diego County means more than one free beach day. A full camp week builds skill, trust, and community — with pathways to year-round lessons and scholarship programming.
BIPOC surf camp in San Diego County addresses a real access gap: over 55% of local residents are BIPOC, yet summer camp marketing still centers a narrow demographic. Our coaching staff and alumni reflect the communities we serve.
Summer surf camps near San Diego County run June through August with Monday–Friday cohorts. Inland families rely on shuttles (across coastal and inland communities) so distance never becomes the reason a student misses camp week.
Representation in the lineup changes camp outcomes. When San Diego County kids see coaches who share their language and background, retention and joy rise — they're not guests in someone else's surf culture.
Why San Diego County is our service area
San Diego County's Spanish-speaking households (about one-third) get parent communications in both languages, every time. Coastal access fails when language is treated as an afterthought.
Whether San Diego County is on the coast or across coastal and inland communities inland, we treat transportation as part of the program — not an extra parents must figure out. That's how you build real access, not marketing copy.
Program curriculum & how it works
- →Daily in-water surf instruction (4 hrs/day)
- →Marine ecology & watershed education
- →Cultural arts workshops (painting, poetry, storytelling)
- →Kumeyaay coastal history and stewardship
- →Nutrition and hydration for athletes
- →Friday family showcase and celebration
What's included — free for every youth
- ✓5-day Monday–Friday full-day camp (8am–3pm)
- ✓Certified bilingual instructors (CPR + First Aid, 4:1 ratio)
- ✓Wetsuit, soft-top surfboard, and rashguard for the week
- ✓Free daily lunch and snacks
- ✓Round-trip transportation from Title I schools
- ✓Cultural arts and marine biology enrichment
- ✓Family showcase and photo album
Why Un Mar de Colores (E-E-A-T)
Un Mar de Colores is recognized by partners including the San Diego Foundation, Surfrider San Diego, WILDCOAST, and school districts across San Diego County — not a pop-up program, a sustained movement.
What our community says
“"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."”
Cities we serve — pick your community
Un Mar de Colores runs surf camp across 27 San Diego County cities. Each city page covers local beaches, school partners, and how to enroll — start with the community closest to your family.
- OceansideCoastal city
- CarlsbadCoastal city
- EncinitasCoastal city
- Cardiff by the SeaCoastal city
- Solana BeachCoastal city
- Del MarCoastal city
- La JollaCoastal city
- Pacific BeachCoastal city
- Mission BeachCoastal city
- Ocean BeachCoastal city
- Point LomaCoastal city
- Sunset CliffsCoastal city
- CoronadoCoastal city
- Imperial BeachCoastal city
- Chula Vista10 mi to beach
- National City8 mi to beach
- Vista7 mi to beach
- San Marcos11 mi to beach
- Escondido17 mi to beach
- San DiegoCoastal city
- Poway14 mi to beach
- Fallbrook22 mi to beach
- Bonita10 mi to beach
- Lemon Grove10 mi to beach
- El Cajon14 mi to beach
- Santee17 mi to beach
- Spring Valley12 mi to beach
Frequently asked questions — Surf Camp
When do San Diego County surf camp cohorts run?+
Summer camps run June through August with Monday–Friday cohorts. Cohorts fill 3–4 weeks ahead — contact us early if you're enrolling from San Diego County for a specific week. Priority goes to Title I referrals and partner org introductions.
What non-surf activities happen during camp week?+
Afternoons include marine ecology modules aligned with watershed science, Kumeyaay coastal history, cultural arts workshops (painting, poetry, storytelling), and nutrition education for young athletes. Surf is the anchor — ecology and culture are the depth.
Who certifies surf camp instructors in San Diego County?+
Coaches hold CPR and First Aid credentials and train with San Diego Fire-Rescue Lifeguard Division protocols. Many are alumni of our Surf Athletic Scholarship program. Safety documentation is available to San Diego County parents on request.
How is Un Mar surf camp different from commercial camps near The Strand, Tamarack, Moonlight Beach, La Jolla Shores, Mission Beach, and Imperial Beach?+
Commercial camps optimize for paying tourists and locals with gear. Un Mar is a BIPOC-led nonprofit: free instruction, Title I partnerships, marine ecology and Kumeyaay history curriculum, and coaches who reflect San Diego County's communities. We're building access, not selling camp weeks.
Can my child continue after surf camp ends?+
Yes — camp graduates connect to year-round free surf lessons, Ocean Stewards after-school for teens, and the Surf Athletic Scholarship pathway. Camp is an entry point, not a dead end for San Diego County youth.
Ready to get your child in the water?
Ready to get your child in the water? Contact Un Mar de Colores — priority enrollment for San Diego County Title I school students.
All Un Mar de Colores programs are free for BIPOC youth across San Diego County. Reach out to enroll, volunteer, or support the movement.
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