Waves of Color was born from my own surf journey. Fourteen years ago in California, I sat in a parking lot waiting for my first surf coach. They were an hour late, so I nearly left, but something told me to stay. That day, I caught my first wave just off the shore of Santa Monica Beach, and it changed the course of my life.

Surfing became my grounding force through struggles with mental health. It’s where I find peace, joy, and resilience. But over the years, I noticed how rarely I saw other women—especially Women of Color—in the lineup or coaching. I’ve had surf lessons where I was dismissed, underestimated, even brought to tears.

When I took a two-year sabbatical and traveled to over 20+ countries, I met countless women with similar stories—feeling unseen, unsupported, or unwelcome in the surf. That’s when I knew change was needed.

Waves of Color exists to create space, support, and representation for women in the surfing profession—to train more women coaches, build confidence, and foster a global surf community rooted in equity and belonging.

I come from a large Mexican-American family with roots in East Los Angeles. My parents moved to the westside of Los Angeles in the late 70’s and I grew up going to the beaches of Venice. Growing up near the ocean was such a gift and privilege. It has made being on a beach and being in the ocean feel familiar, and like home.

Having access to surfing and the ocean – here in California and the places I’ve been fortunate enough to travel – has been one of the greatest gifts of my life. Supporting the growth and mission of Waves of Color feels like a way of honoring that gift through  reciprocity or giving back, and to me that kind of reciprocity is something that deepens my relationship with surfing.