Nick Gabaldon Day | Heal the Bay

Activities held at the Bay Street/Inkwell site and the Heal the Bay’s Santa Monica Pier Aquarium.

(From L to R) Ricky Grigg, unknown, Vicki Williams, and Nick Gabaldon enjoying Malibu. Photo: Courtesy of Vicki Williams/Photo by Joe Quigg

On Saturday June 1, 2013, the Black Surfers Collective, Heal the Bay, Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, the Santa Monica Conservancy and other groups will offer a day of activities to commemorate the life of Nick Gabaldon (1927–1951) and the heritage of the historical African American beach site formerly called the “Inkwell.”  Gabaldon was the first documented surfer of African American and Mexican descent; his legacy has inspired many surfers of color — and others — who consider him a role model.  His passion, athleticism and love for the ocean live on as quintessential qualities of the California surfer.

The site at the foot of Bay Street was a popular beach hangout for African Americans during the Jim Crow era, from the 1900s to 1960s.  Gabaldon had his first experiences with the ocean at the Inkwell.  In 2008 the City of Santa Monica recognized both the Inkwell and Gabaldon for their cultural and historical significance with a plaque at the site.

To learn more about Nick Gabaldon Day 2013, see www.healthebay.org/event/celebrate-nick-gabaldon-day.  The site gives the schedule of activities on the beach and at HTB’s Aquarium at Santa Monica Pier, as well as links to an article about Gabaldon’s life by Alison Rose Jefferson and Rick Blocker.