A Great Day in the Stoke held its third annual event earlier this month in Huntington Beach, California, marking the largest gathering of Black surfers in history. Launched in 2022, this event provides Black surfers with a platform to connect, showcase their skills, and advocate for increased diversity within the surfing industry.
Despite the common perception that surfing is not a popular sport among the Black community, statistics tell a different story. According to the Surf Industry Members Association, the number of Black surfers has seen nearly a 50% increase over the past decade, with almost 500,000 Black individuals now catching waves. A Great Day in the Stoke aims to create a welcoming environment for these surfers, ensuring they feel a sense of belonging in the sport.
The event on September 14 featured surf lessons, an awards ceremony honoring community leaders, and a photo opportunity that paid tribute to iconic images like 1958’s A Great Day in Harlem and 1998’s A Great Day in Hip-Hop. The tribute photo included 500 Black surfers and 57 jazz musicians, reflecting the spirit of those historic moments. Organizers of A Great Day in the Stoke hope to demonstrate the presence of Black surfers worldwide and encourage aspiring surfers to embrace the water without hesitation.
“This is something we all can enjoy and benefit from,” said Nathan Fluellen, a Black surfer and travel content creator, in an interview with BET. He highlighted the need for such events, noting that statistically, 70% of Black people have low to no swimming skills, which contributes to higher drowning rates. Black boys aged 11 and 12 are ten times more likely to drown than their white counterparts. Fluellen emphasized that by showcasing Black individuals enjoying the water and experiencing the joy of surfing, the event aims to challenge mainstream media narratives about Black participation in sports.
