Our Story
Aloha,
Just over 10 years ago, I was inspired to follow my heart and
intuition, to share my love and passion for surfing with foster & at
risk youth, since that first surf camp in sunny San Diego, Urban Surf 4 Kids has rewarded and blessed me and many others beyond our wildest dreams. The ability to make a mark on the heart of a parentless child and instill hope, joy, and laughter in the process, brings even the strongest to tears, and we have all cried many times.
Our program has since gone on to serve tens of thousands, we’ve been proudly featured in cause marketing videos, commercials, and articles. Which some are shared below. But, just as I answered the call to follow my heart and intuition 10 years ago, I’m faced with another calling that is of greater importance.
We are in the midst of a crisis that may surpass even the greatest of
human tragedies. Right now we are in the heart of what’s called
“The Fatherless Generation” where trauma among our kids is commonplace: depression, stress, anxiety, and sucicide are the norm. Our children’s mental health is at stake, which is heartbreaking. Just check out the stats below.
Nearly 1 in 4 children live without a father in the home
80% Foster Youth suffer from significant mental illness
80% of national prison and homeless come from foster care background
Youth Suicide Rate has increased 56% in the last ten years
63% Youth Suicides come from fatherless/ foster care home
Go back and read these stats again!
Equally staggering is that 79% of foster & at risk youth simply
can’t swim, while drowning remains a leading cause of death for our
children throughout the United States. We desperately need to change
these statistics because If there is anything I have learned over the
last 10 years, it’s this: Water heals and if you combine it with
mentoring, you have the foundation to change lives.
Our purpose is to train, equip, and empower trauma informed aqua
specialists and mentors to intentionally teach every at risk/foster
child how to not only swim, but educate them on the power of water-based
activities as therapy… which is literally medicine. Together we can
address their physical safety, mental health, and through mentoring
ensuring they have an Ohana, a family-
Imagine that once a child knows how to swim, we have empowered them
for a lifetime to SAFELY enjoy water based activities. Equip them with a
mentor and you’ll be inspired with stories of perseverance, just like
we have seen!
So, let’s jump into the water together,let us be the change, open or
join a local chapter. I promise you’ll discover your deepest desires
& purpose in this life, which is to passionately serve others,
especially foster and at risk youth. Be inspired! James 1:27
See ya in the water!
Mahalo,
Our Story
Aloha,
Just over 10 years ago, I was inspired to follow my heart and intuition, to share my love and passion for surfing with foster & at risk youth, since that first surf camp in sunny San Diego, Urban Surf 4 Kids has rewarded and blessed me and many others beyond our wildest dreams. The ability to make a mark on the heart of a parentless child and instill hope, joy, and laughter in the process, brings even the strongest to tears, and we have all cried many times.
Our program has since gone on to serve tens of thousands, we’ve been proudly featured in cause marketing videos, commercials, and articles. Which some are shared below. But, just as I answered the call to follow my heart and intuition 10 years ago, I’m faced with another calling that is of greater importance.
We are in the midst of a crisis that may surpass even the greatest of human tragedies. Right now we are in the heart of what’s called “The Fatherless Generation” where trauma among our kids is commonplace: depression, stress, anxiety, and sucicide are the norm. Our children’s mental health is at stake, which is heartbreaking. Just check out the stats below.
Nearly 1 in 4 children live without a father in the home
80% Foster Youth suffer from significant mental illness
80% of national prison and homeless come from foster care background
Youth Suicide Rate has increased 56% in the last ten years
63% Youth Suicides come from fatherless/ foster care home
Go back and read these stats again!
Equally staggering is that 79% of foster & at risk youth simply can’t swim, while drowning remains a leading cause of death for our children throughout the United States. We desperately need to change these statistics because If there is anything I have learned over the last 10 years, it’s this: Water heals and if you combine it with mentoring, you have the foundation to change lives.
Our purpose is to train, equip, and empower trauma informed aqua specialists and mentors to intentionally teach every at risk/foster child how to not only swim, but educate them on the power of water-based activities as therapy… which is literally medicine. Together we can address their physical safety, mental health, and through mentoring ensuring they have an Ohana, a family-
Imagine that once a child knows how to swim, we have empowered them for a lifetime to SAFELY enjoy water based activities. Equip them with a mentor and you’ll be inspired with stories of perseverance, just like we have seen!
So, let’s jump into the water together,let us be the change, open or join a local chapter. I promise you’ll discover your deepest desires & purpose in this life, which is to passionately serve others, especially foster and at risk youth. Be inspired! James 1:27
See ya in the water!
Mahalo,