SATURDAY JUNE 18th- Santa Monica Pier Area
Nick Gabaldón (1927-1951) was a pioneering surfer of African American and Mexican American descent.
He was the first documented surfer of color in the Santa Monica Bay. Gabaldón’s passion, athleticism, discipline, love, and respect for the ocean live on as the quintessential qualities of the California surfer.
In 2013, with the help of African American historian Alison Rose Jefferson, Heal the Bay joined forces with the Black Surfers Collective to amplify and expand their prior Nick Gabaldón efforts. Nick Gabaldón Day, in its current form, is now in its 10th year and will be held on June 18, 2022. This innovative celebration provides an amazing opportunity for broadening outreach, action, and education to connect Angelenos with their cultural, historical, and natural heritage.
Heal the Bay Aquarium under the Santa Monica Pier will be FREE for all visitors in honor of Nick Gabaldon on Saturday, June 18!
In the care of a grant from Northrop Grumman, admissions are free at Heal the Bay Aquarium. A celebrity guest reader will pop in for story time and special art activities will be offered, as well as screenings of documentaries exploring issues of race, coastal access, and following your passion against all odds. Join Heal the Bay Aquarium from 9 am-4 am for a day full of events and activities!
Tentative Agenda: June 18, 2022
- 9 am Welcome Ceremony and Memorial Paddle Out for Nick at Bay Street Beach
- 10 am – 1 pm Free surf lessons, beach and local history exploration, and cleanup at Bay Street Beach. Surfers must register in advance.
- 1 pm – 4 pm Celebration continues at Heal the Bay Aquarium under the Santa Monica Pier; admission to the Aquarium is free today in honor of Nick.
- 1 pm Documentary screening
- 2 pm Children’s story time with special guest reader
- 3 pm Documentary screening
Nick Gabaldón (1927-1951) was a pioneering surfer of African American and Mexican American descent. He was the first documented surfer of color in Santa Monica Bay. Gabaldón’s passion, athleticism, discipline, love, and respect for the ocean live on as the quintessential qualities of the California surfer.
In 2013, with the help of African American historian Alison Rose Jefferson, Heal the Bay joined forces with the Black Surfers Collective to amplify and expand their prior Nick Gabaldón efforts. Nick Gabaldón Day, in its current form, is now in its 10th year and will be held on June 18, 2022. This innovative celebration provides an amazing opportunity for broadening outreach, action, and education to connect Angelenos with their cultural, historical, and natural heritage.
In 2008, the City of Santa Monica officially recognized the “Inkwell” and Nick Gabaldón with a landmark monument at Bay Street and the Oceanfront Walk. 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.
Nick Gabaldón Day introduces young and old from inland communities to the magic of the coast through free surf and ocean safety lessons, beach ecology exploration, and a history lesson about a man who followed his passion and a community who challenged anti-Black discrimination to enjoy the beach.
The Black Surfers Collective, Heal the Bay, Surf Bus Foundation, and the Santa Monica Conservancy collaborate for Nick Gabaldón Day to reach families in resource-challenged communities and connect them to meaningful educational programming. Together, we are helping build personal experiences with cultural, historical, natural heritage, and civic engagement that make up the foundation of stewardship, and the development of the next generation of heritage conservation and environmental leaders.
Hours
Saturday June 18th: 12:00 – 4:00 PM
Starfish Feeding: 1:00pm & 3:00pm
For additional information, visit the website @
healthebay.org/nick-gabaldon-day-2022/
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