A surfer in a full black wetsuit and hood stands on a sunlit beach, looking out at the ocean waves while holding a camera housing and fins

Blog - The Outside Set: Breaking Barriers in the Lineup

The Outside Set: Breaking Barriers in the Lineup

3 minute read

For many, the ocean is a place of profound peace, offering a chance to disconnect from the world and connect with nature. But for Black surfers in the US, the journey to the lineup has often been met with systemic challenges.

This Black History Month, Dryrobe® has partnered with film producer Nick Paz to explore the realities, resilience, and joy of the Black surfing community. Through candid interviews and beautiful cinematography, the film explores what it means to claim space in the water today.

The Reality of the Lineup: Localism and Systemic Barriers

The film doesn't shy away from the hard truths of surf culture. While catching waves offers an unparalleled sense of freedom, the environment in the water hasn't always reflected that openness.

Interviewees in the film openly discuss the duality of their experiences. On one hand, there is the beautiful, profound connection to getting in the water before sunrise. On the other hand, there are the frequent microaggressions, overt racism, and the sting of localism.

A smiling surfer wearing a black Dryrobe® Advance long sleeve change robe, holding a black wetsuit while preparing for a session.

The film powerfully points out that this localism doesn't exist in a vacuum; it’s fueled by systemic racism. Historical practices like redlining and income inequality have kept many Black communities geographically and economically separated from the coast. Because of this, Black surfers paddling out are frequently assumed to be outsiders, making them targets for gatekeeping.

Finding Joy and Building Community

Despite these hurdles, the ocean's draw is undeniable, and the tide is actively turning. The documentary highlights the sheer joy of the sport and the vital importance of finding your people.

Two surfers in wetsuits carrying white surfboards walk along a rocky coastline toward the breaking waves under a clear blue sky.

For a surfer, finding their identity in the water is crucial. The film contrasts the deeply ingrained localism found in some US breaks with the communal, territorial-free surfing experiences in places like Morocco. Ultimately, the message is one of hope and progress: more diversity is appearing in the water, knowledge is being shared, and a once-intense lineup is slowly becoming a more respectful, inclusive space.

A surfer with long dreadlocks expertly carving across the face of a breaking white-water wave on a white surfboard.

Three Resources to Explore

The Surf Justice Collective: An organisation comprised of several groups working across California to bring equitable access to surfing for various communities through both active programming and policy initiatives.

A Great Day in the Stoke: Spearheaded by Nate Fluellen, this initiative is pushing the boundaries of the sport and organising the largest gatherings of Black surfers in the nation's history.

Wade in the Water: A documentary directed by David Mesfin that traces the rich, deep-rooted historical connection between Africans, the Black diaspora, the ocean, and the origins of surfing.