The Campaign for Surf Equity at Linda Mar Beach in Pacifica 

For the last 17 years, an antiquated permitting system for surf schools had actively prevented non-profits from accessing the beach in Pacifica.  This system was in direct violation of guidelines set by the California Coastal Act on equitable access to the beach, and its enforcement lacked compliance with California State Law.  Brown Girl Surf, City Surf Project, and allies have since been working together with the City of Pacifica and the Coastal Commission to reform the system, and a new, more equitable system is being proposed to the Coastal Commission on May 11, 2023.

What was the old system?

Since 2004, there had only been 4 operating permits allocated for surf schools/camps operating on and at Linda Mar beach. The same 4 commercial surf camps/schools have held the permits for nearly two decades, with no turnover or opportunities for new applicants.  

How did this system violate guidelines on equitable access to the beach?

Without a mechanism for the inclusion of additional groups, including non-profits who provide access for community members who have historically-faced barriers to coastal access, the system had effectively proven to be exclusionary on many levels, including race.  

The time is now for change!

Brown Girl Surf, City Surf Project, and other allies have been working closely with the City of Pacifica and other local stakeholders to create a more equitable system.  After 18 months of work, our first iteration, called the “Community Access Partnership Program'' (CAPP), was unanimously approved by the Pacifica City Council.  Its approval signaled the creation of the first permitting program in the State of California to make space for nonprofits at the beach.

This success showed how local government, local business owners, non-profits, and statewide agencies can come together collaboratively to make reform possible, and we are grateful for the countless hours, hard work, and time put into this effort. We recognize, however, that many hard compromises were made when designing these recommendations, including continuing to prioritize the needs of for-profit commercial entities over those of non-profit community-based organizations.  The California Coastal Commission agreed, and we have since been working together to design a system that will be truly equitable between for-profit organizations and non-profit organizations.  

This new, more equitable system will be voted on by the California Coastal Commission on May 11th, 2023, and we couldn't be more stoked.  We need your support - sign below to let the Coastal Commissioners know you care about equitable access to the beach, and support the City of Pacifica's revised CDP for equitable access for surf schools at Linda Mar.