Black Surfing Black Joy

The posts endeavors to show the nuance of African American life in areas other than the entertainment and fashion industries. In light of the current moment, a celebration of joy and collaboration.

I want to talk about surfing.??

The first surfers in the U.S. were a trio of Hawaiian princes,?David Kawananakoa, Jonah Kuhio Kalaniana'ole, and Edward Keliiahonui.In 1885, in San Mateo, California, they took 15-foot surfboards out to the San Lorenzo River, becoming the first surfers in North America.

Structural racism limits African Americans' social mobility and access to resources. It created internal resistance or skepticism regarding surfing. With no access to beaches and pools, much of aquatic culture came to be seen as framed by whiteness.?

The Black Surfing Association ( B.S.A.) was originally started in California by Tony Corley; as a way to connect a community of surfers in the African Diaspora. In his post for The Inertia.com, "it was my dream to find somehow and meet surfers whose ethnicity was the same as mine."

Enter Lou Harris, a retired Doorman who moved to Rockaway beach. He fell in love with surfing and started The Black Surfing Association East Coast Division.

He was inspired by a story of a Brooklyn teenager who, out of boredom, set fire to a mattress in his apartment building that, caused a fire that killed a police officer. To Lou, it's all about keeping kids busy and active in Rockaway and educating them about their environment.

?Lou does not discriminate in whom he teaches — although the organization is called the Black Surfing Association, he'll teach any kid who shows up.?

"BSA is more than just a surfing club for local kids. It's a blueprint for better community living." In an article for Hill Magazine, Lou says, "Surfing is all about opportunity."

Please go to their website Black Surfing Association, for volunteer and support. BUY THEIR MERCH!!!

Instagram Black Surfing Association?

Here are some articles:

Black Surfers Reclaim Their Place on the Waves?

Some other place for black joy in Rockaway Beach,NY:?

The Ebony Beach Club

If you don't know, now you know. Tell them I sent you !!!!

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