Nick Gabaldon’s contributions to the Civil Rights Movement are not as well known as some of his contemporaries, but his bravery changed surfing forever. As the first documented surfer of color in LA, Gabaldon paved the way for a level of diversity that is far more commonplace in the modern day surfing community.
In 1924, the only area people of color were allowed to surf without being threatened was a section of Santa Monica’s beach front located at the end of Bay Street, known as Bay Street Beach. This was the location of the event held in Gabaldon’s honor this past Saturday, which saw a diverse and enthusiastic community gathering in the ocean in his honor.
#santamonica #surf #nickgabaldon #civilrights #losangeles #baystreet #westside #westsidenews #new
