Black Surfing Timeline History
Nick Gabaldon’s tragic accident at Malibu Beach. Nick is California’s first documented surfer of Black and Mexican ancestry.
Frank Edwards/Ebony Magazine article. Blacks acknowledge that Blacks surf in our national publication.
Tony Corley’s letter to Surfer Magazine is published and then even after receiving hate mail he creates the “Black Surfing Association”.
Solo Scott, Black surfer from Venice becomes the first Black USA Surfing Champion (Boys division).
Surfer Magazine publishes a lengthy article entitled “Black Surfers of the Golden State”. Traditional white surf culture officially acknowledges Black surfers.
David Lansdowne a skilled Black surfer becomes regional director of the Western Surfing Association and runs all inclusive So-Cal amateur surf competition.
Patrick Mitchell begins professionally manufacturing as Quashi Surfboards and becomes the first Black commercial surfboard maker. In business for 20 years as Quashi International. Made surfboards on both coasts and in Jamaica.
Talented actor, stuntwoman and surfer Sharon Schaffer became the first African American woman to compete on the Association of Surfing Professionals World Qualifying Series (ASP/WQS) Tour.
Ryan Harris, Black surfer, shaper and glasser begins commercially manufacturing surfboards in 2001. After many years of success he upgrades their processes and launches environmentally conscience “Ry Harris Shapes”. He continues to build progressive surfboards, SUP’s and foils for 20 years.
In 2002, three months after giving birth to her son, Mary Mills quits competitive cycling and begins learning how to surf. In 2005, she begins what would become a well-
known blog about her surfing exploits. In 2008, she adds surf mats to her wave-riding bag of tricks. Almost 20 years after ( and with her son now in college), she’s still going
strong- surfing, matting and writing, when asked to do so.
Will Lamar and the BSA organize the “First Annual Pro/Am Open” at Leo Carrillo State Beach. An all incluseive surf competition and beach festival.
Nissan features Black surfers Tony Corley and Andrea Kabwasa in their national ad campaign. Magazines and billboards.
Andrea Kabwasa continues to place highly in longboard surf competitions and to get media recognition. She has also created a surf mentoring school to guide students of all ages in their practice of surfing and creativity for joy, and a deep lasting relationship with the water.
Rhonda Harper, Black surfing advocate gets the city of Santa Monica to install a bronze plaque to commemorate Nick Gabaldon and the historic Inkwell Beach site. Historian Alison Rose Jefferson writes the text. In 2019 this same beach was listed as the Bay Street Beach Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places for its significance in the African American experience and American history.
California African American Museum has a nine month exhibit entitled “How We Roll” which celebrates our Black cultures contribution to surf, skateboarding and skate culture.
The movie “WhiteWash” by Ted Woods is released in theaters as the first full length documentary film about the Black surfing experience.
In 2011, the Black Surfers Collective is launched by co-founders Jeff Williams and Greg Rachal with the goal of creating greater community outreach toward aquatic activities especially in the So-Cal area. The BSC sponsors the annual “Nick Gabaldon Day” event along with Heal the Bay, Surf Bus, Santa Monica Conservancy and other groups.
The short film “12 Miles North, The Nick Gabaldon Story” is made by Nike Corp. This officially acknowledges Nick as a Malibu Legend. Nike sponsors a big Hollywood premier and an internet release.
