Nick Gabaldón Day 2024

Join the Black Surfers Collective and partners for the 12th annual Nick Gabaldón Day on June 1, 2024!

Nick Gabaldón was a Santa Monica local who lived in the Pico neighborhood and the first documented surfer of color at Santa Monica Bay, where he learned to surf at the beach near Bay Street and Ocean Avenue. Now part of the Bay Street Beach Historic District, the area served as an important gathering place for Black beachgoers during the Jim Crow era.

This special annual event honors Gabaldón and celebrates his passion, athleticism, discipline, and love for the ocean. Nick fearlessly pursued his passion for surfing, paving the way for countless others. This event serves as a celebration of diversity in surfing and an opportunity for the community to come together, share stories, and ride the waves in his honor. Let’s celebrate his legacy of resilience, determination, and love for the waves. Together, let’s keep his spirit alive!

Heal the Bay Aquarium under the Santa Monica Pier will be free for all visitors in honor of Nick on Saturday, June 1st so bring your friends and family out to enjoy. A celebrity guest reader will pop in for story time and special art activities will be offered, as well as screenings of documentaries exploring issues of race, coastal access, and following your passion against all odds.

Click HERE to register!