Un Mar de Colores · National City, CA
Summer Surf Immersion in National City — Zero Cost to Families
Capped at 18 students per cohort with a 4:1 instructor ratio — real attention, not overcrowded camp chaos.
Un Mar de Colores runs free summer surf camps for National City youth ages 6–17. Each week-long Monday–Friday cohort combines morning surf instruction (shuttled to our nearest coastal location, Imperial Beach (8 miles)) with afternoons of marine ecology, cultural arts, and Kumeyaay coastal history. Priority enrollment goes to students of Central Elementary (National City), Kimball Elementary, Olivewood Elementary and other Title I schools in National School District / Sweetwater Union High. Wetsuits, soft-top boards, daily lunch, and round-trip transportation are all included.
Schedule — National City Program Days
Summer (June–August), Monday–Friday cohorts · Completely free
You Might Be Feeling This
- —Bilingual staff matter in your home, but most National City-area summer camps default to English-only instruction.
- —Working parents in National City need Monday–Friday full-day coverage, not another half-day program with no transport.
- —Competition pathways feel reserved for kids whose parents already know the contest circuit. Camp is where that gap starts.
What Changes When Youth Get in the Water
- Photo album documents the week — tangible proof of growth beyond a single social media post.
- Marine ecology afternoons connect surf skills to watershed science relevant to National City and San Diego.
- Round-trip transportation from partner Title I schools — inland National City families aren't left behind.
Why We Run This Program in National City
National City is 63% Hispanic/Latino and among the most economically impacted cities in San Diego County. Our programs here are built around transportation — youth from Central, Kimball, and Olivewood Elementary travel to Imperial Beach and Coronado for water programming, with classroom components at National City Public Library and the MLK Community Center. National City is a priority Title I partnership for our Ocean Stewards recruitment.
- Population
- 56,173
- BIPOC residents
- 91%
- Spanish-speaking households
- 61%
- Distance to beach
- 8 mi
Surf Camp in National City — What You Should Know
Marine ecology at camp answers why National City beaches close after storms or sewage events — students learn watershed-to-ocean pipelines, especially relevant near cross-border river systems like the Tijuana River.
With 61% Spanish-speaking households in National City, bilingual camp instruction and parent updates are standard — not an accommodation requested at enrollment.
Why National City Matters to Our Mission
When we say free for National City youth, we mean wetsuits, soft-tops, rashguards, sunscreen, transportation, and instruction — the full stack commercial programs charge $50–$150 per session for.
The ocean off National City belongs to everyone. Un Mar de Colores exists because San Diego has spent decades telling BIPOC youth otherwise — and we're changing that story one cohort at a time.
Local National City Partners & Referral Sources
In partnership with National School District / Sweetwater Union High and local community organizations, we recruit youth from 4+ Title I schools.
School district & Title I partners
- National School District / Sweetwater Union High
- •Central Elementary (National City)
- •Kimball Elementary
- •Olivewood Elementary
- •Sweetwater High School
Community partners
- ◆National School District
- ◆National City Public Library
- ◆Kimball Park (City of National City)
- ◆Casa Familiar (nearby in San Ysidro)
Program Curriculum
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.
- →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 National City 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
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.
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."”
Frequently Asked Questions — Surf Camp in National City
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.
How many students are in each surf camp cohort?+
Each cohort caps at 18 students with a 4:1 student-to-instructor ratio. Small cohorts keep nervous first-timers from National City from getting lost in overcrowded lineups — every child gets coached attention daily.
What is the daily schedule for surf camp in National City?+
Camp runs Monday through Friday, 8am–3pm. Mornings include up to four hours of in-water surf instruction. Afternoons cover marine ecology, Kumeyaay coastal history, cultural arts workshops, and nutrition education. Friday ends with a family showcase on the beach.
Are surf camp in National City really free?+
Yes. All Un Mar de Colores programs in National City are 100% free — including 3/2mm wetsuits, soft-top surfboards, transportation from partner schools like Central Elementary (National City), Kimball Elementary, Olivewood Elementary, and certified bilingual instruction. Funding comes from the San Diego Foundation, community grants, and individual donors. No National City family has ever paid for our programming.
Where exactly do surf camp happen in National City?+
National City is 8 miles inland from the coast, so our cohorts are shuttled to Imperial Beach (8 miles) — our nearest Un Mar teaching beach. Classroom components including curriculum, cultural arts, and tutoring happen at National School District and partner schools inside National City.
What ages can enroll in National City?+
We serve youth ages 6–17. In National City specifically, our recruitment runs through National School District / Sweetwater Union High — with priority enrollment for students from Central Elementary (National City), Kimball Elementary, Olivewood Elementary and 1 other Title I schools. Cohorts are age-appropriate (One Ocean for 6–12, Ocean Stewards for 13–17).
Does my child need to know how to swim before starting?+
No. We begin every cohort with ocean-safety fundamentals in chest-deep whitewater at Imperial Beach (8 miles), supervised by instructors certified by the San Diego Fire-Rescue Lifeguard Division. Water comfort is built progressively. In National City, we also run pre-cohort pool-familiarization sessions at inland pools via our National School District partnership for students who request extra comfort-building.
Are lessons taught in Spanish in National City?+
Yes. All Un Mar de Colores programs are bilingual — and in National City, where 61% 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.
How is Un Mar de Colores different from other surf camp in National City?+
Three ways: (1) everything is free, while most National City surf programs charge $50–$150 per lesson; (2) we are BIPOC-led and our coaches reflect the 91%-BIPOC National City 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 National City, not just those who can afford access.
How do I sign my National City child up?+
Visit our sign-up page or contact us directly. Priority enrollment goes to students of Central Elementary (National City), Kimball Elementary, Olivewood Elementary and referrals from National School District and National City Public Library. Summer cohorts fill 3–4 weeks before start, so early contact is recommended.
Ready to Get in the Water?
Volunteer, donate, or enroll — however you join, you're helping National City youth access the coast.
All Un Mar de Colores programs are free for National City 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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