Wade in the Water: Documentary Screening and Panels.
MAKING HISTORY ONE WAVE AT A TIME. 

FREE EVENT
Hermosa Community Theater  June 13, 2024 * 5:30pm - 8:30pm

PARTICIPATING PARTNERS

Collection of logos for Hermosa Beach City, Hermosa Beach Chamber, Heal the Bay, 7TILL8, BSC, International Surf Therapy Organization, Surf Industry Members Association, and ECO.

CITY OF HERMOSA BEACH COMMUNITY THEATER
June 13, 2024 - Staring at 5:30pm
710 Pier Avenue Hermosa Beach, CA 90254

PHONE: (310) 318-0280

Sponsored by City of Hermosa Beach and Hermosa Beach Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau

Embark on an extraordinary voyage through the rich and often overlooked tales of Black surfers across centuries and continents. Prepare to be captivated by the grand streaming premiere of our acclaimed documentary, slated for this summer. From the shores of Africa to the beaches of America, dive deep into a millennium of Black surfing heritage.

Join us in celebrating our vibrant community and collaborating with esteemed partners to chart a course towards greater inclusivity and innovation in outdoor spaces. Immerse yourself in the film, participate in thought-provoking discussions, and spark ideas that will shape the future of aquatic culture.

Director David Mesfin will lead engaging conversations with the panelist exploring topics such as competitive surfing, the role of non-profit surf organizations, the evolution of BIPOC surfing, the transformative power of surf therapy, and the potential for cities like Hermosa Beach to foster truly inclusive communities.

Panelist

Certificate of commendation from Los Angeles County awarded to David Mastin for dedication to community and patriotic service, July 29, 2023, signed by Holly J. Mitchell.

Wade in the Water project is a catalyst for fostering cultural engagement among the BIPOC surfing community, surf industry, academia, and legislators. 

The project has developed an award winning feature length documentary that looking into the 1,000 year old of Black surfing history from Africa to the Americas. The project has toured around the world and ready for streaming release this summer. The project also has an exclusive line of limited editions art pieces and merchandise.  

The collaboration with different brands, organizations, and community offers a truly immersive experience to see the film and open dialogue and opens opportunities for culture dialogue and fostering avant guard ideas in the outdoors space. 

On June 13 in collaboration with the City of Heromsa Beach Wade in the Water project invites you to join us for a free screening of Wade in the Water documentary followed by a panel discussion.

SCHEDULE

  • WELCOME

    5:30-6:15PM PST

    Visit with organizations tied to the film, enjoy light refreshments, a DJ, and a message from the City of Hermosa Beach’s City Manager Suja Lowenthal.

  • FILM SCREENING

    6:20-7:20PM PST

    Watch the award winning documentary Wade in the Water: A Journey into Black Surfing and Aquatic Culture.

  • PANEL DISCUSSION

    7:25-8:30PM PST

    Mayor Justin Massey will moderate a panel discussion with the director, community leaders, surf industry experts, and city officials.

Endorsement

  • “Wade In The Water” is a documentary that I show to my undergraduate students in my History of Surfing course. It is consistently one of my students' favorite lectures of the semester, as it combines excerpts from Dr. Dawson's book with Mesfin's documentary. I highly recommend this documentary for surfers and non-surfers alike.

    Jason Old, Ph.D.
    Southeastern University

  • Even though people of color represent a significant portion of the surf culture in the water, this isn't proportionally reflected in media and advertising. We understand wanting to belong to something you do not see yourself represented in. A lack of representation can make someone feel like they need to be granted permission to participate. Stories like this are so important because they provide that welcome invitation so many of us feel we need (even though we don't) to explore our curiosity and love of the ocean.

    Grace Hsiang, 7TILL8 Wetsuits
    CEO

  • Because of the film, we've had several groups join us in exploring the joy of surfing! I can't thank David enough for his generousity, time, and participating in an engaging Q&A session during the screening. We hope to share the film in the future with more audiences in our area in the hopes of bringing the joy of surfing to the metro ATL area, and inspire the next generation of BIPOC surfers!

    Tara Spencer
    SurfATL

FAQ’s