Queer Surf recently collaborated with Surfrider Foundation to produce a line of clothing with messaging that fosters an inclusive surf community.
Words by Marc Graser
Images courtesy of Surfrider Foundation and Queer Surf
When surfer Kyla Langen and boogie boarding partner Nic Brisebois launched the Queer Surf Collective, they wanted to advocate for a culture of belonging in the waves, and create an inclusive surf community.
The organization began in 2016 with queer surf beach days throughout California. The movement and community grew from there.
As Southern California natives, Kyla and Nic have always been drawn to the water. They split their time between San Francisco, Los Angeles and South Oceanside, chasing waves and building an ocean recreation community. Kyla has seen some of the best surf spots while competing professionally, while Nic studied abroad every chance they got and spent time in Central America and Mexico, hitting the local beaches, of course.
They have helped connect queers to their bodies and support queer mental and physical health through a relationship with the ocean. And engaging queers in marine science and coastal stewardship.
Queer Surf recently collaborated with Surfrider Foundation to produce a line of clothing with messaging designed by queer artist Heather Hardison.
We caught up with Kyla and Nic to discuss the collab and current state of queer surf culture. This interview has been edited for length.
Q&A
How can a beach or the ocean not be inclusive and what can be done about that?
Transphobia and homophobia are prevalent in beach culture, the surf line up, parking lot and surf shops. The binary is reinforced throughout the surf industry and coastal towns. When our community has a beach day we spread the love collectively through wave riding and celebrating each other. Our fashion and gender expression and alternative and creative ways of being in the water and on the beach are uplifted. Teaching allies to not make assumptions about gender or relationship structures. And keep showing up to carve out queerness.
What kind of activities does Queer Surf offer?
Surf lessons, community wave sliding days, overnight camps, snorkeling, birding, kayaking, tidepooling, whale watching.
I wasn’t aware of the lack of full and fair beach access—on the sand or in the water. How big of an issue is this and where is it most prevalent?
It’s important to remember the queer community moved to urban spaces for physical and emotional safety. In turn, that presents barriers to access—cost, gear, knowledge of surfing. Surfing can be especially gatekept and limited to white families with generational access points. We aim to be that access point for non binary, trans and queer people.
When our community has a beach day we spread the love collectively through wave riding and celebrating each other.
How did you partner with Heather Hardison on the design of the clothing collab with Surfrider?
Heather is part of our San Francisco Bay area Queer Surf community. She’s a talented sign painter, muralist and wave slider. The message “Waves 4 All” is so simple and classic, it felt like a good match with Heather’s work.
What can people learn from surfing?
Patience, perseverance, how to navigate being around a lot of men.
What are some of your favorite surf spots?
Nic loves Oceanside Harbor, C street and Trail 6.
Kyla surfs Ocean Beach in San Francisco, Fort Point and a secret hometown beach break.
Artist Heather Hardison.
Surfing can be especially gatekept and limited to white families with generational access points. We aim to be that access point for non binary, trans and queer people.
What tips do you have for beginners?
Don’t overlook boogie boarding, there are so many ways to wave slide. Lean in to the joy.
What have been some of your favorite places to travel?
We use travel opportunities and privileges to inspire surfing to be more accessible to our California community. Trying a new surf break an hour away or surf overnight on the Central Coast can be all the traveling we need these days.
How has travel impacted you?
Travel reminds us to mix it up and keep it fresh. A new environment can be a magical reset. Travel can be as simple as a day trip to a new spot.
Travel reminds us to mix it up and keep it fresh. A new environment can be a magical reset.
What’s a favorite travel memory?
Pulling off to quiet uncrowded beaches in the Central Coast of California.
Where have you traveled to recently that really impressed you and why?
The tidepools of La Jolla, Malibu, and Bolinas! So many intertidal sea creatures thriving in the fluidity.
Where is one place people should travel to and visit at least once and why?
We are partial to the gay beaches of California: Ginger Rogers, Blacks Beach, Trail 6 and San Gregorio. Trail 6 is otherworldly with a rich queer history. It is an escape from SoCal hustle. It feels like Baja meets Moab, a wide and vast spot especially if you go deep.
What’s your proudest moment?
Every event when community members share how moving it is to be able to be in coastal nature, in the water and share it together. We feel proud that something we created resonates for so many.
What’s next for you?
Envisioning new programs to meet folks where they are and expand the network of non binary, queer and trans ocean lovers.
Follow Queer Surf on Instagram.