Surf Sister Story: Sophia Uribe Honoring the Ocean as a Sacred Space
For Sophia Uribe, the ocean has always been a place of curiosity, connection, and healing. Born in Michoacán, Mexico and raised inland in San Diego County, her earliest memories of the coast were family trips to deliver produce. These family trips turned into opportunities to walk the shoreline, collect seashells, and wonder about the water. From asking for her first surfboard at age 10 to rediscovering the ocean as an adult through diving, swimming, paddle boarding, and surfing, her relationship with the sea has continued to evolve.
Along the way, mentors helped her build confidence in the water and find a deeper connection between science, culture, community, and the ocean. Today, she gives that support back by mentoring other women and Indigenous youth, creating spaces where people can feel welcomed, represented, and empowered in the water. Her story is ultimately one of finding courage, honoring the ocean as a sacred space, and discovering that there is always another way to connect with the sea.
Finding the Surf
Tell us about yourself. What are some of your passions, what brings you joy, and what first drew you to the ocean?
I believe we have a profound connection to the ocean as humans, especially given that both our bodies and the Earth are 70% water. I was born in Michoacán, Mexico, but I grew up inland in the Valley Center area of San Diego County.
Growing up, my family owned agricultural businesses, and because a lot of our customers were on the coast, we would make the hour-long commute to the beach to deliver produce like oranges, citrus, and different produce. My mom always made sure these delivery commutes were also fun for us; they brought along chairs and towels so we could spend time by the ocean.
I loved taking long walks with my mom and dad, picking up seashells, and staying intensely curious about the water. Because my younger brother had a massive fear of sharks and the ocean, we weren't heavy ocean recreationalists back then. We boogie boarded occasionally, but I was still grateful to grow up right around it.
When did you first discover surfing? Do you remember your first wave? What did that moment feel like, and did you know then that surfing would become part of your life?
My true curiosity for wave riding started early. I remember asking for a surfboard for my 10th birthday because I had a deep desire to test my limits and be brave in the water. I grew up in a big family, and one of my older brothers was a surfer.
I remember taking my board out with him, catching a wave, and popping up for the very first time. I felt incredibly confident, bold, and proud of myself. As an adult, I still look back at photos from that day to remind myself to connect with that joyful, playful inner child whenever I start overthinking in the water.
Who were some of the people who influenced or encouraged your surf journey?
My formal introduction to ocean recreation materialized about five years ago during my time studying at UC Santa Cruz. The Chief Operation Officer of Native Like Water reached out to me regarding a scuba diving program off Catalina Island (Pimu).
I was studying environmental science and working in academic labs, but I felt completely disconnected and purposeless just looking at the ocean from an outside view. Diving into that program—doing multiple daily dives, learning about species, feeding abalone, and doing a night dive under a full moon—completely changed me. It provided the missing link for me by beautifully intertwining heart, spirit, indigenous cultural knowledge, and science.
Growing up, what was your relationship with the ocean and water? Was surfing something you saw represented in your community?
Reflecting on my journey, I owe a lot of my ocean confidence to my mentors at Native Like Water, specifically Marc Chavez and Kaliko Kahoonei . As mentors, they’ve been instrumental in giving me the gear I needed, finding me water buddies, and walking me through the skills required for SUPSquatch, boogie boarding, etc. While their intense "go, go, go" coaching style pushed me to be tough, it also taught me that I personally need space, grace, and gentler encouragement sometimes.
Now, the tide has come full circle because I am able to volunteer and teach other women how to surf. Many of them tell me how impactful it is to finally have a female instructor. There is an intuitive, collaborative understanding women share when it comes to body positioning, holding space in a male-dominated sport, and navigating our personal comforts in a wetsuit or on a board.
Photo credit: Coby Uribe
Connection to the Ocean
What keeps you drawn to the ocean?
For me, the ocean is an incredibly sacred space. Over the last five years, it has held my grief and helped me process heavy anxieties and mental health challenges. When I first started surfing as an adult, I had so much fear anytime I couldn't touch the sand. But once I got my swim fins, I discovered my absolute favorite place on Earth: swimming past the break and just floating - being a true mermaid. Out there, there is no pressure to catch a wave; it is pure peace and calm.
How has surfing shaped you as a person, both in and out of the water?
Building that relationship with the sea has given me a deep confidence that transfers directly to my life on land. The ocean has been my greatest teacher, even through rough moments. I do my best to keep a relationship of reciprocity with the ocean because she truly is a mirror.
Has the ocean taught you any lessons that you carry into your everyday life?
I still remember two gnarly wipeouts I had during road trips to southern Baja where the short-break waves just tumbled and spit me out. I came out stressed and traumatized, but laughing about it with my family on the shore taught me a beautiful lesson about not taking myself or life too seriously. A wipeout is just another trial. Those moments really remind me of the respect I have for the ocean, always.
Can you share a memorable surf experience that had a lasting impact on you?
My absolute favorite positive memories come from captaining the SUPSquatch. Steering a massive board with four to six people yelling, screaming, and catching a wave together as a team is an incredible, joyful responsibility.
Overcoming the Odds
What challenges or barriers have you faced in your surf journey, and what helped you move through them?
I have been very fortunate to have Native Like Water guide me past standard barriers like gear, access, and line-up intimidation, but I did experience severe isolation when I lived in Northern California. While attending school in Santa Cruz, I completely avoided the local surf culture. I was far from home, lacked resources, and was terrified by the notorious stories of local surf gangs aggressively coming after people who cut them off. I ended up just watching from the cliffs instead of jumping in and learning how to read the waves and connect to the ocean in a new way.
Photo Credit: Native Like Water
Giving Back to the Community
For those unfamiliar with Native Like Water, can you share the organization's mission and the impact you hope to create?
Native Like Water has been evolving for 25 years. Today, our core mission focuses on bringing historically displaced Indigenous youth back to the coast to connect with their ancestral waterways. Because water holds memory, having youth return to the sand with traditional song and dance brings deep healing to both the people and the local marine species.
San Diego County actually has the highest concentration of tribes in the U.S. with 18 federally recognized tribes. Many youth have to drive over an hour or two from inland reservations to get to the ocean - resulting in maybe being coastal only once or twice a year. We pride ourselves on creating a coastal landing space where they feel welcomed and at home rather than ostracized, allowing them to learn from leaders who look like them and understand their cultural dynamics on their own ancestral homelands and waterways.
We just wrapped up our two-week summer youth residential program for 40 kids aged 12 to 18 from all over California. For some of the 12-year-olds, it was their very first time seeing the ocean or feeling the sand. The program acts almost like a modern-day coming-of-age ceremony. A lot of the kids initially show up asking, "Why are we doing this white man sport?". We love flipping the script by teaching them about the true Indigenous roots and history of surfing. Seeing them connect their own Indigeneity to the water and proudly leave the program declaring, "This is so native," is incredibly magical.
Why is representation important in surf coaching, leadership, and ocean education and what motivates you to give back to the community?
My primary drive to show up for my community is to be the mentor I wish I had when I was younger. I want to be that supportive big sister or auntie figure for youth who might not have anyone showing up for them.
It fills my heart when our aging alumni get emotional at the end of the summer and immediately ask how they can step up to become mentors themselves next year. To stay connected locally, I make it a point to volunteer and attend as many ocean or surf-focused events in Southern California as I can. It is wonderful to build those consistent, familiar relationships in the lineup.
Photo Credit: Coby Uribe
Accessibility to the Ocean
What is special about sharing waves, coaching, or learning alongside other women?
Just the innate understanding being in the elements alongside people who may understand the different life experience it takes to be in that space together. The ocean in itself holds a very feminine energy for me so to be in the ocean alongside other women just brings the energy full circle - the nurturing, holding, graceful energy that is all encompassing.
What is a message you want future women surf leaders and mentors to take away if you had one piece of advice?
Keep growing, learning, and trying new things as much as you can around the ocean. My journey with surfing really started by boogie boarding, which led to open water swimming, then paddle boarding, freediving, and finally really surfing. And now I’m onto my next endurance sport interest in prone paddle boarding.
The ocean has so many metaphors and lessons to teach and I truly believe being able to work with the ocean through different mediums allows you the space to receive that abundance. Where can our community follow your work and support Native Like Water?Looking ahead, I will continue facilitating Native Like Water's seasonal international programs during the San Diego winter offseason in places like Mexico, Hawaii, Jamaica, and Panama.
Additionally, Kaliko and I are co-launching a project called Interval Research. Our goal is to mentor people to expand their personal comfort zones, build up their gear quivers, and become more well-rounded water people. I still feel like a beginner in this space, but I do my best to add my touch to surf culture, water safety, and building new connections with the ocean - I am excited to see how my journey evolves. My ultimate advice to future female surf leaders is simple: just enjoy. Let the ocean be your sacred space to be your true self.
Photo Credit: Coby Uribe
Sophia Uribe is a Latina and Huíchól Indigenous waterwoman, environmental scientist, mentor, and part of the Native Like Water community. Raised inland in San Diego County, her relationship with the ocean began through family trips to the coast and eventually grew into a love for surfing, diving, swimming, and exploring different ways to connect with the water.
Through her work with Native Like Water and her own journey in the ocean, Sophia is passionate about helping others feel more comfortable and connected to the sea. She hopes to be the mentor she wished she had growing up, creating more welcoming spaces for Indigenous youth, women, and anyone looking to find their own relationship with the ocean.
Interview by Waves of Color Founder & Director, Helen Jody Lin