Hello BLACK SKATER CHICK family. I thought it would be fitting to touch on surfing culture,though many of us (especially on the East Coast) don't have the opportunity to surf. Surfing is the grandfather of snowboarding and skateboarding, plus its amazing.
I
recently watched Nike's newly released inspirational documentary 12 Miles North: The Nick Gabaldon Story, the
legacy of a surfer who died doing what he loved. Nick Gabaldon, born Nicolás Rolando Gabaldón, is
recognized as the first documented African-American surfer. Gabaldon, also of
Mexican descent, grew up in Santa Monica, California during the 1930's and 40's.
At that time, to avoid racial tension, minorities and people color established
their own part of the beach, the "Inkwell," to peacefully enjoy the
waves and sunshine. Nick loved spending time at the beach body surfing, when he
saw the lifeguards with their wooden boards it sparked his interest in
surfing.
Nick
was always in search of best wave (like many surfers), so he paddled an
extraordinary 12 miles to
Malibu, the epicenter of surfing. In Malibu, he quickly earned his respect
surfing with a group of white surfers, not because of his color (to them color
did not matter) but because of his skill. The distance that Nick traveled
also amazed the Malibu surfers. He became apart of the tight-knit surfing
brotherhood. Most of the brotherhood (now surfing pioneers and
veterans) described Nick as great surfer with graceful form and genuine
character.
Throughout 12
Miles North, Nick is credited for breaking down barriers of color in
surfing. Tony Corley, the founder of the Black
Surfing Association also speaks on Nick's impact. The film also
features commentary by other professional athletes who overcame differences in
sports due to race, gender and disability, such as, BMX rider Nigel Sylvester,
Olympic swimmer Cullen Jones, WNBA basketball pro Lisa Leslie and Iron Man
Champion Sarah Reinertsen. Ultimately, Nick Gabaldon's story continues to
inspire a lot of people.
In 1951, Nick Gabaldon
tragically drowned in a surfing accident while executing the stunt," shooting
the pier." It's so unfortunate that his life was cut short. Nick
would have certainly been among the ranks in the surfing hall of fame with his
Malibu buddies. The legacy of Nick Gabaldon still lives on.
Trailer for 12 Miles North: The Nick Gabaldon Story
Find your in surf life, whatever your calling might be and "SURF WITH NICK" shattering any barriers that try to block you.
