Urban Surf 4 Kids

What Urban Surf 4 Kids does

Urban Surf 4 Kids is a California-based nonprofit organization founded in 2009 that delivers surf therapy, mentorship, and life-skills programs to foster youth, children in kinship and adoptive care, and other at-risk adolescents in San Diego and Orange County. Its service portfolio is built around five core programs: half-day and full-day Surf Therapy Camps at locations including La Jolla Shores, Oceanside, and Bonita Cove that pair youth with adult volunteers for 1:1 in-water instruction; the Hanai Mentorship Program, a 7-month group mentorship model launched in March 2017 in cohorts of approximately 10 mentors and 10 youth; the Dreaming of Aloha Achievement Program, a six-month life-skills curriculum for ages 14-17 culminating in an all-expenses-paid trip to Oahu; Urban Surfology, an after-school speakers series for group-home teens ages 13-18; and specialized Water Wellness and Blind/Visually Impaired surf clinics run with the Encinitas Lions Club. The underlying methodology combines trauma-informed care with ocean-based recreational activities, with CPR/First Aid certified staff and lifeguards overseeing water safety.

The organization operates a community-led, grassroots go-to-market model: youth are referred through foster care agencies, social workers, group homes, and word-of-mouth, and all programs are delivered free of charge to participants. Revenue is generated entirely through contributed income, including individual donations and recurring monthly gifts through The Tribe giving program, GoFundMe and Classy.org donation platforms, corporate sponsorships (notably surf and beverage industry partners such as Reef, Board & Brew, San Diego Brewing Co., Seasalt Kids, Good Wave, and NBCUniversal), and fundraising events including the Ohana Rising and Lighting the Way galas, surf contests, casino nights, and wine festivals. The organization holds a registered Urban Surf 4 Kids trademark, is a GreatNonprofits 2024 Top-Rated Nonprofit, a Global Contributor member of the International Surf Therapy Organization, and a 1% for the Planet member. Operational infrastructure consists of two office locations (San Diego at 9380 Activity Rd Suite H and Santa Ana at 3112 W. Alpine Street), a small paid staff of 1-10, and a large volunteer base that includes program alumni returning as mentors.

Name

Urban Surf 4 Kids

Legal name

Urban Surf 4 Kids

Website

https://urbansurf4kids.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Urban Surf 4 Kids is a San Diego-based nonprofit founded in 2009 that provides free surf therapy, mentorship, and life-skills programs to foster youth, kinship and adoptive children, and at-risk adolescents across San Diego and Orange County.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Social Services / Surf Therapy Nonprofit

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Child and Youth Services (62411), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Surf Schools & Surf Camps (THAAAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Surfing & Kitesurfing Experiences (Lessons, Camps) (THAJAJAJ), Aquatics Programs (Pools, Swim Lessons, Lifeguarding) (EDALAIAF)

Keywords

• Surf therapy programs
• Youth mentorship services
• Foster youth support
• Nonprofit life skills
• Trauma informed care

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations: Individual donations from supporters, monthly recurring donors through The Tribe monthly giving program, and one-time gifts via GoFundMe and Classy platforms.
2. Fundraising Events: Annual gala events (Ohana Rising, Lighting the Way), surf contests (Surf-Off Series), casino nights, and wine festival volunteer operations that generate funds and awareness.
3. Corporate Partnerships: Sponsorships and cause marketing from companies in surf/skate industry, beer collaborations, and brand nonprofit partnerships that provide both funding and in-kind support.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Urban Surf 4 Kids is a nonprofit organization that provides free surf therapy camps, long-term group mentorship, and life-skills achievement programs for foster youth, kinship/adoptive care youth, at-risk youth, group home residents, and visually impaired youth. Programs pair youth with adult volunteers for 1:1 in-water surf instruction at Southern California beaches and extend into multi-month mentorship cohorts, life-skills workshops, and an aspirational achievement trip to Hawaii.

Product overview

Urban Surf 4 Kids is a nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of surf therapy and mentorship programs for foster youth, kinship care, adopted children, and at-risk youth. The core offerings include Surf Therapy Camps with 1:1 in-water instruction, the Hanai Mentorship Program (7-month group mentorship), the Dreaming of Aloha Achievement Program (6-month life-skills with Hawaii trip), Urban Surfology (after-school program for group home teens), and specialized Water Wellness and Blind/Visually Impaired surf camps. All programs use ocean-based activities to build confidence, coping skills, and community connections.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Surf Therapy Camps
• Hanai Mentorship Program A 7-month group mentorship program that connects foster, at-risk, and adopted youth with small groups of trauma-trained, background-checked volunteers. Groups meet monthly for outdoor activities including kayaking, paddle boarding, surfing, hiking, sailing, and rock climbing, with each group aiming for 10 mentors and 10 participants.
• Dreaming of Aloha Achievement Program
• Urban Surfology Speakers Program
• Surf Camp for Blind & Visually Impaired
• Water Wellness Camps

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• San Diego Brewing Co.coreGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual wet hops beer collaboration raising funds for US4K programs. Hosts volunteer harvest days where community members debine hops for limited edition wet hops beer whose sales benefit the organization.
• ReefcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner that has brought foster youth from Arizona to the beach for first ocean experiences. Provides volunteer speakers for Urban Surfology program and supports surf therapy camps.
• Board & BrewcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerProvides gourmet sandwiches, fresh fruit, and nutritious snacks for all surf therapy camp participants, volunteers, and chaperones at every event.
• San Diego Encinitas Lions ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner28th Annual partnership hosting surf clinic for blind and visually impaired community. US4K provides in-water volunteers and program coordination for this special event.
• 1% for the PlanetminorOthersEnvironmental membership organization; US4K is a proud member contributing to environmental causes through surf therapy programs.
• International Surf Therapy OrganizationminorOthersGlobal industry organization for surf therapy; US4K is a proud Global Contributor member.
• San Diego Parks FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerParks nonprofit partner supporting US4K's use of public beach areas for surf therapy programming.
• City of San Diego Parks and Recreation DepartmentminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCity department partner supporting access to beach areas for surf therapy programs.
• Seasalt Kids SwimwearminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBrand nonprofit partner that contributed 100 custom beach towels and raised funds for US4K surf therapy camps throughout 2020.
• Harlem GlobetrottersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured on Play It Forward series celebrating 100 years; Hot Shot, Hammer and Cheese spent a day of surf with US4K Ohana.
• Good WaveminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFamily-friendly surf company and 1% for the Planet business member; partner in surf therapy programming.
• San Diego Parrot Head ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner organization that hosts annual anniversary events; US4K volunteers at these events as a way to give back to supporters.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Surfrider Foundation: Environmental nonprofit focused on ocean protection and beach access. Not a direct competitor (different mission), but US4K is a member of Surfrider's network ecosystem and shares surf-industry donor and partner channels.

Broad incumbents

• YMCA of the USA: National youth recreation and development organization with aquatics, mentorship, and camping programs. Overlaps on youth recreation, water safety, and community-based programming, but operates at scale across all 50 states.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: National youth development organization serving millions of at-risk youth with after-school programs. Comparable target population (foster and at-risk youth) and program structure, but operates at vastly larger scale with broader recreational and educational programming.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of America: National youth mentoring organization pairing adult volunteers with at-risk youth. Comparable on the mentorship dimension (similar 1:1 adult-to-youth pairing model) but operates at national scale across broader demographic groups, not surf-specific.

Direct peers

• Outdoor Outreach: San Diego-based nonprofit providing outdoor adventure programs (surfing, rock climbing, hiking) for at-risk and foster youth. Most directly comparable peer — same geography, same target population, same activity-based youth development model.
• Waves for Change: South Africa-based nonprofit using surf therapy to support vulnerable youth facing violence, trauma, and poverty. Directly comparable surf-therapy-for-trauma methodology and youth-focused mission, operating internationally.
• Best Day Foundation: Nonprofit that runs surf therapy camps for children with special needs and life challenges. Directly comparable service model (surf camps for vulnerable youth with 1:1 volunteer pairing) and mission, though focused on different special needs populations.

Emerging players

• Big City Mountaineers: Nonprofit that provides wilderness mentoring trips for at-risk urban youth. Comparable youth development model (structured adult mentorship + outdoor activities for vulnerable youth), but uses backcountry trips rather than ocean activities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/UrbanSurf4Kids
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/us4k

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Urban Surf 4 Kids