Play in the Waves
Empowering Youth Through Ocean Access
Play in the Waves is our flagship program, dedicated to introducing youth from underserved communities to the ocean, many for the very first time. By combining fun, safety, mentorship, and environmental education, we foster a lifelong connection to water and nature.
This program is funded by the California Outdoor Equity Grants Program, funded through AB 209 and administered by California State Parks, Office of Grants and Local Services.
Watch our 2024 Play in the Waves video and see the impact we've made.
How It Started
In 2020, at the height of the pandemic, we launched our first Play in the Waves session, introducing kids from the Trident Swim Foundation to the ocean when their pool was closed. What began as a creative solution quickly became a movement.
By 2021, we expanded the program to include Compton’s Revolution Aquatics swim team. In addition to providing beach access and ocean safety experiences, we also covered swim team fees, ensuring that every child who wanted to swim had the opportunity, regardless of financial barriers.
Growing Impact
That same year, we partnered with San Diego’s Kupanda Kids, a community of refugee youth, many of whom come from cultures with generational barriers to swimming. By bringing Play in the Waves to our southern chapter, we helped these young people begin to build a new, joyful relationship with the ocean. In 2022, we joined forces with South Bay Squad to mentor youth from KEEN LA, an adaptive recreation program, at USA Triathlon’s Legacy Splash & Dash, supporting them through their first multisport event. That same year, we were honored to receive the California Outdoor Equity Grant, a transformative milestone that allowed us to grow our reach and continue breaking down long-standing barriers to ocean access across California.
Expanding Our Mission
By 2023, we faced a sobering truth: a significant number of children living just miles from the coast still didn’t know how to swim. In response, we partnered with Paralympian Jamal Hill’s Swim Up Hill Foundation in 2024 to teach kids how to overcome fear of water and build swim skills.
We also joined forces with the Black Surfers Collective to provide free surf lessons at Dockweiler Beach and expanded our programming to include sustainability and ocean health education in partnership with UCLA’s microplastics research team.
The Road Ahead
With state grant funding cut from the budget, Play in the Waves faces a critical crossroads. To keep this life-changing program thriving, and ensure it remains free and accessible to the youth who need it most, we need your support.
Your donation, time, or creativity can help us continue bringing children to the ocean, where they build confidence, learn lifesaving skills, and discover their role as future protectors of our planet.
Explore how our partnerships are creating a meaningful impact. Together, we’re expanding access and inspiring change.
