This summer, Cowell Beach in Santa Cruz, California, witnessed a powerful gathering of around 150 individuals for a special paddle out event. Participants included experienced surfers, novices, and those trying out a surfboard for the first time. The event, organized by Black Surf Santa Cruz, a nonprofit offering free surf lessons to BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) residents, aimed to honor the memory of George Floyd, whose death in 2020 sparked worldwide protests against racial injustice.
Esabella Bonner, the 28-year-old founder of Black Surf Santa Cruz, recalls her own transformative experience with surfing, which began just after Floyd’s tragic death. “I’ll never forget my first time surfing. The weightlessness is unlike anything,” she shared while surrounded by fellow surfers. Inspired by her journey, Bonner founded the organization to help others discover the joys of surfing.
The rising participation of Black and Latino surfers in the U.S. reflects a significant shift in the sport's demographic. A recent Diversity in Surfing report indicates that these groups now comprise 40% of the U.S. surfing population, making them the largest growing demographic in the sport. This trend, often seen as an expansion of the sport's audience, can also be viewed as a "return" to its historical roots.
Surfing's contemporary practice has deep ties to Indigenous cultures, particularly the Polynesians who perfected the art and incorporated it into their cultural fabric. However, wave riding practices along the African coast predate Polynesian surfing, suggesting a rich history of Black involvement in the sport.
The little-known narrative of Black surfing in both Africa and the U.S. is at the heart of the new documentary, Wade in the Water: A Journey into Black Surfing and Aquatic Culture, directed by David Mesfin. Drawing from personal experiences of feeling out of place in the ocean, Mesfin aims to highlight the historical connection Black Americans have to surfing. “I needed to examine why Black Americans have lost the connection to surfing and inspire people to reclaim it,” he explained.
Historically, the portrayal of surfing has often been skewed. Mesfin critiques surf films like The Endless Summer for perpetuating a narrow, white-centric narrative of the sport. Kevin Dawson, a scholar featured in the documentary, asserts that these narratives overlook the rich history of Black engagement with the ocean. He cites early accounts of African wave-riding practices from as far back as 1640, highlighting a tradition that predates contemporary surfing.
The documentary does not claim that surfing originated in Africa, but rather seeks to acknowledge the continent’s significant contribution to the sport. “Polynesians took surfing to a cultural and spiritual level, while Africa has maintained a longstanding connection to the practice,” Dawson added.
The film also addresses the impact of segregation and racism on African Americans' relationship with water. Historical discrimination, including the exclusion of Black individuals from popular beaches, has contributed to a disconnect from surfing and swimming culture. For instance, Malibu was historically a predominantly white surf spot, while the nearby Santa Monica Pier had a designated area for Black beachgoers, derogatorily referred to as the "Inkwell."
Wade in the Water includes powerful interviews with Black surfers who have navigated these challenges. Pioneers like Sharon Schaffer, the first Black female pro-surfer, and Tony Corley, who founded the Black Surfing Association in 1975, share their experiences and the importance of representation in the sport. The documentary also looks to the future, showcasing the increasing number of BIPOC surfers and organizations dedicated to diversity in the surfing community.
Bonner emphasizes the need for greater visibility and inclusion in the water. “To make change, we have to be seen in the water. We have to show up,” she stated, echoing the sentiments of fellow surfers advocating for policy changes, such as implementing mandatory ocean safety programs in public schools.
Keisha Browder, a local co-founder of Black Surf Santa Cruz, shared her journey of overcoming barriers to enter the ocean. “I’ve always lived in California, but for the longest time, I never thought it was my water to enter,” she reflected. After watching Mesfin's documentary, she recognized the need to reclaim her space in the ocean, noting, “It doesn’t care what color I am – it’s blind to all of that.”
As the documentary highlights the historical and ongoing struggles faced by Black surfers, it also celebrates their resilience and the growing movement to reclaim their rightful place in the sport.
No comments:
Post a Comment