Un Mar de Colores · Sunset Cliffs, CA
Free Monday–Friday Surf Camp on the Sunset Cliffs Coast
Summer cohorts across San Diego — Sunset Cliffs families enroll through school counselors and partner orgs.
Un Mar de Colores runs free summer surf camps for Sunset Cliffs youth ages 6–17. Each week-long Monday–Friday cohort combines morning surf instruction at Sunset Cliffs and Ab Seven Stairs (closest breaks to Sunset Cliffs) with afternoons of marine ecology, cultural arts, and Kumeyaay coastal history. Priority enrollment goes to students of Point Loma High. Wetsuits, soft-top boards, daily lunch, and round-trip transportation are all included.
Schedule — Sunset Cliffs Program Days
Summer (June–August), Monday–Friday cohorts · Completely free
You Might Be Feeling This
- —Your child wants a full week in the water, but one-off beach days never build real confidence or skill.
- —By June, Sunset Cliffs cohorts are full and you're told to try next year — again.
- —After-school is packed during the year — summer is the only window, and affordable options in Sunset Cliffs vanish fast.
What Changes When Youth Get in the Water
- Free daily lunch and snacks mean no packing stress or hidden food fees for Sunset Cliffs working families.
- Trauma-informed, joy-forward culture welcomes anxious first-timers and experienced youth alike.
- Friday family showcase celebrates every camper — grandparents, siblings, and neighbors welcome on the sand.
Why We Run This Program in Sunset Cliffs
Sunset Cliffs is an advanced-only surf zone — we do not teach beginners here. Instead, our Sunset Cliffs programming focuses on our Surf Athletic Scholarship athletes and shoreline environmental stewardship at Sunset Cliffs Natural Park, partnering with the San Diego Park & Recreation Department on tide-pool conservation days.
- Population
- 14,000
- BIPOC residents
- 34%
- Spanish-speaking households
- 15%
- Distance to beach
- Coastal
Surf Camp in Sunset Cliffs — What You Should Know
How much does surf camp cost in California? Commercial rates often run $400–$800 per week plus gear rental. Un Mar de Colores charges $0 — including five full days, equipment, transport, lunch, and Friday family showcase.
Latino and Indigenous youth in Sunset Cliffs inherit coastal histories commercial surf culture erases. Camp afternoons integrate Kumeyaay stewardship narratives and environmental justice framing — surf as connection to place.
Why Sunset Cliffs Matters to Our Mission
Safe, lifeguard-coordinated instruction is non-negotiable for Sunset Cliffs youth. Every water session runs inside flagged zones with certified coaches — parents shouldn't have to choose between access and safety.
Sunset Cliffs sits inside San Diego County's coastal equity gap — 34% of residents identify as BIPOC, yet beach access has historically been gated by cost, transportation, and culture. Un Mar de Colores closes that gap with free programming and school-based recruitment.
Local Sunset Cliffs Partners & Referral Sources
In partnership with San Diego Unified School District and local community organizations, we recruit youth from 1+ Title I schools.
School district & Title I partners
- San Diego Unified School District
- •Point Loma High
Community partners
- ◆Sunset Cliffs Natural Park Council
- ◆Point Loma Surfers Association
- ◆San Diego Park & Recreation Department
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 Sunset Cliffs 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
Our coaches include graduates of the Surf Athletic Scholarship program and bilingual educators who reflect the BIPOC communities we serve. We partner with 15+ Title I schools across North County and San Diego.
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 Sunset Cliffs
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 Sunset Cliffs youth.
Does my child need to know how to swim for surf camp?+
No swimming test is required. We begin in chest-deep whitewater under direct coach supervision and build water comfort progressively. Many Sunset Cliffs beginners start camp with limited pool experience and gain confidence within the first two days.
How much does surf camp cost in Sunset Cliffs?+
Un Mar de Colores surf camp in Sunset Cliffs is 100% free — five full Monday–Friday days including wetsuits, boards, rashguards, daily lunch and snacks, transportation from partner schools, and certified bilingual instruction. Commercial camps in San Diego County typically charge $400–$800 per week. We fund access through grants and donors so Sunset Cliffs families never pay.
Are surf camp in Sunset Cliffs really free?+
Yes. All Un Mar de Colores programs in Sunset Cliffs are 100% free — including 3/2mm wetsuits, soft-top surfboards, transportation from partner schools like Point Loma High, and certified bilingual instruction. Funding comes from the San Diego Foundation, community grants, and individual donors. No Sunset Cliffs family has ever paid for our programming.
Where exactly do surf camp happen in Sunset Cliffs?+
Primary water sessions run at Sunset Cliffs. Classroom components happen at Sunset Cliffs Natural Park Council and other partner sites. All water activities happen within lifeguard-flag zones.
What ages can enroll in Sunset Cliffs?+
We serve youth ages 6–17. In Sunset Cliffs specifically, our recruitment runs through San Diego Unified School District — with priority enrollment for students from Point Loma High. 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 Sunset Cliffs, supervised by instructors certified by the San Diego Fire-Rescue Lifeguard Division. Water comfort is built progressively. In Sunset Cliffs, we also run pre-cohort pool-familiarization sessions at local community pools for students who request extra comfort-building.
Are lessons taught in Spanish in Sunset Cliffs?+
Yes. All Un Mar de Colores programs are bilingual — and in Sunset Cliffs, where 15% 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 Sunset Cliffs?+
Three ways: (1) everything is free, while most Sunset Cliffs surf programs charge $50–$150 per lesson; (2) we are BIPOC-led and our coaches reflect the 34%-BIPOC Sunset Cliffs 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 Sunset Cliffs, not just those who can afford access.
How do I sign my Sunset Cliffs child up?+
Visit our sign-up page or contact us directly. Priority enrollment goes to students of Point Loma High and referrals from Sunset Cliffs Natural Park Council and Point Loma Surfers Association. Summer cohorts fill 3–4 weeks before start, so early contact is recommended.
Ready to Get in the Water?
Don't wait for summer — year-round Sunset Cliffs cohorts fill fast. Reach out now for free enrollment.
All Un Mar de Colores programs are free for Sunset Cliffs 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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