Groups Say Proposal Could Make It Impossible to Teach Kids to Surf

Groups that have been using San Diego’s beaches to expose kids to water-based activities are worried a new proposal may make it impossible to do that work.  

The proposal is for a permit system that would set restrictions on groups that teach water-based activities like surfing, snorkeling and kayaking. It would require nonprofits and other groups that run programs at city beaches to obtain insurance and safety certifications. The groups would also be restricted to operating programs only from Memorial Day through Labor Day. 

During a City Council meeting last month, city staff said the beach permits would limit the city’s liability and protect the health and safety of other beach goers.  

Organization leaders say the proposed permit system would threaten their very existence. 

“If they go through with this, we won’t be able to run our programs anymore,” said Risa Bell, founder and executive director of the nonprofit Paddle for Peace. “We’re not just a program, we’re actively changing lives.” 

They’re not the only ones worried. The California Coastal Commission’s executive director criticized the proposal and lack of input from stakeholders in a July letter to the City Council. Kate Huckelbridge wrote that the proposal violates a state law that allows groups of 30 people or fewer to access public spaces without permits or fees.  

That law, AB2939, requires cities to treat these groups like your average visitor who doesn’t need a permit to gather at the beach. The law passed last year recognizes groups like nonprofits and Native American tribes.  

Groups that run water-based activities and programs supported the law because it reduced excessive permitting and fees, giving them easier access to connect underserved youth to California’s coastline.  

Before the state law passed, the city required nonprofits to apply for an annual permit with the Parks and Recreation department. If granted, nonprofits could run a limited number of programs at Mission Beach, Pacific Beach and La Jolla Shores. The groups were banned from operating during the weekends and nonprofits had to show proof of training and certifications. 

AB2939 removed these restrictions, but the city wants to go back to the permit process in place before. The law does leave room for cities to propose their own set of requirements. 

“I just feel like anytime there’s a group of people of color that wanna do something nice, the city always figures out a way to bring some kind of red tape,” Bell said. Outdoor Outreach and Paddle for Peace run programs that focus on introducing communities of color to the beach and ocean safety education.  

Bell started Paddle for Peace during the height of the George Floyd protests in 2020. She wanted to create a space for healing and nurture the next generation of young surfers. 

“When kids first come to us, they’re a little reserved,” she said. “But the smiles that are on their faces are different from every other smile on the beach.” 

Bell said many of their participants had never been to the beach. Their program allows them to gain confidence and joy around water.  

Ben McCue, executive director from Outdoor Outreach, also said he sees a transformation in the kids who participate in the program. The organization is focused on giving middle schoolers and high schoolers from places like City Heights, Barrio Logan, and southeastern San Diego the opportunity to experience their coastlines.  

Angela “Tiny” Herrera Flores, 24, joined Outdoor Outreach in high school and is now an instructor for the program. She’s been with the organization for eight years. 

Herrera Flores grew up in Tijuana and moved to San Diego in 2008. If she wanted to go to the beach from her home in Spring Valley, the commute often involved multiple buses and could take up to four hours.  

She said growing up her family struggled financially. When she joined Outdoor Outreach, she not only had the opportunity to go to the beach but also learned how to kayak and paddleboard. She decided to become an instructor to pay it forward. 

“The more I’ve done the programs, the more I’ve realized this is truly an amazing organization,” said Herrera Flores. “We bring kids that sometimes don’t really have the access, don’t have the vehicles, don’t have the money, don’t have the resources to get here.” 

The issue came as a surprise to the City Council last month.  

Councilmembers Sean Elo-Rivera, Kent Lee, and Henry Foster III expressed their concern – and downright confusion as to what the issue was with giving nonprofits access. 

The city is concerned about being held liable for accidents, but the nonprofits insisted they haven’t had any and are aligned with the city on water safety.  

“What’s really funny to me is that it seems like everyone actually agrees – on the safety standards that are necessary to operate on the water,” said Councilmember Lee. 

Lee emphasized that AB2939 currently exempts the nonprofits from permit requirements. 

“The pieces that have come up in the discussion that I’m much more perplexed by… I’m waiting to understand how the nonprofit organizations, under the permit program, only have access on weekdays and not weekends?” 

The city’s Parks and Recreation department did not respond to a request for comment. 

During the City Council meeting on July 29th, Lifeguard Chief James Gartland said the permit system is needed to keep people safe.  

“It’s not if this is going to happen, it’s when it’s going to happen,” he said. “That’s why this [permit] system is here, it’s thought out and has all the safety measures.” 

Councilmember Marni Von Wilpert and Councilmember Jennifer Campbell voiced their support for the proposed permit system.  

After a lot of back and forth, the Council voted to continue the item to September. 

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