Inkwell Surf

Our Story

Founded in 2004 by U.S. Coast Guard veteran and diversity advocate Rhonda Harper, The Inkwell Surf & Sk8 Club began with a powerful mission: to keep marginalized youth off the streets and in safe, supportive spaces. Inspired by her nephew Danny, who became the spark behind the program, Rhonda expanded the club to include a strong educational focus. Offering free surf and skate lessons, transportation to the beach, and academic tutoring, the program required all participants to maintain at least a C average — proving that success on the board starts with success in the classroom.

Inkwell Surf Vibes

Inkwell Surf & Sk8 has always embodied a spirit of bold innovation. Founded in 2004 at the iconic Inkwell Beach in Santa Monica, CA, the original after-school program was created to break barriers and open doors. Its mission: to provide inner-city, marginalized, and unhoused youth with access to the transformative worlds of surfing and skateboarding.

Our Mission

Inkwell Surf’s Mission

Inkwell Surf is a performance training and development program dedicated to supporting Black and African male surfers who aspire to compete at the professional level. Our mission is to provide culturally affirming coaching, global exposure, and high-performance training to ensure access and equity in competitive surfing for boys and men of African descent. We are committed to building a pipeline from local talent to the World Surf League, while preserving cultural heritage and creating community through the sport.