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Black Surf Santa Cruz’s 6th Annual Liberation Paddle Out (LPO) is a joyful day at the beach that centers our Black and BIPOC community, offering many their first opportunity to enter the ocean and experience its transformative power together.
Held in honor of Juneteenth, the event commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers led by Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, announcing the end of the Civil War and the freedom of enslaved people. More than 150 years later, we continue to honor this history, uplift the stories of those who came before us, and expand awareness of the holiday.
The LPO brings our community together through music, food, games, art, and shared celebration. At its heart is the paddle-out, where participants can use free surf equipment, receive ocean safety instruction, and be supported by a skilled water safety team as they venture beyond the shoreline to float together in the ocean.
This gathering creates a welcoming space that centers and uplifts Black, Indigenous, and People of Color while fostering connection, joy, and collective liberation. While rooted in centering our Black community, the event remains open to all, encouraging relationship-building and deeper public awareness.
Join the celebration
Let's Go LPO!!
BSSC was born from a moment of collective reflection and awakening. In 2020, following the murder of George Floyd, our founder and Executive Director participated in a community paddle out held in solidarity. At the time, she had never been on a surfboard before. Standing at the shoreline and witnessing the ocean as a space for collective healing and connection, she became aware of how infrequently Black and BIPOC communities are welcomed into or represented within coastal and surf spaces. That experience, rooted in appreciation and possibility, inspired a commitment to create intentional opportunities for access and ultimately gave rise to Black Surf Santa Cruz’s largest annual event, the Liberation Paddle Out.
