Christian Surfers United State

What Christian Surfers United State does

Christian Surfers United States (CSUS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit religious ministry founded in 1970 in Huntington Beach, California, that operates as a community organization sharing the Christian gospel with surfers across the United States. The organization functions as a bridge between surf culture and the local church, reaching its audience through 23 chapter gathering locations distributed nationwide, supported by seven regional coordinators covering the Gulf Coast, Mid-Atlantic, Northwest, Southeast, Southwest, West Coast, and East Coast regions. CSUS serves distinct participant segments including the general surfing community, female surfers through the CS Girls sub-brand (approximately 38% of chapter membership), youth leaders aged 14-25 via the Foundations Training program, and young adults aged 18-24 via the CSALT 5-month leadership internship.

The ministry's product portfolio is content- and program-led rather than technology-led. Core intellectual products include the Surfers Bible (a custom Bible with QR-linked surfer testimonies distributed free of charge), the Living Water weekly devotional platform, and the annual CSUS Magazine. Programming assets include the CSALT internship ($8,750 per participant), Foundations Training (8-part video series), the National Gathering annual event ($350 per attendee), regional CS Girls campouts ($75-$100), and international surf mission trips to Costa Rica, Peru, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Barbados, and New Zealand. The organization operates a made-on-demand e-commerce storefront selling branded apparel at $15-$45, processes donations through Stripe and Webconnex, and registers events via RegFox. CSUS is affiliated with Christian Surfers International (active in 28+ nations) and is governed by a board that includes Mary Gordon Kerr, with national leadership provided by David and Amy Nehrig.

The business model is a hybrid nonprofit funding structure: 100% donor-supported, with all staff serving as missionaries funded by charitable contributions, supplemented by ancillary revenue from CSALT tuition, event registration fees, and merchandise sales. Distribution occurs through local chapters, regional events, digital content (devotionals, blog, magazine), social channels (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube), and partnerships with ministry organizations (Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Surf Church Collective, Groundswell Aid, YWAM, One More Wave, Aleph Surf) and surf industry sponsors (Cobian Footwear, Degree 33 Surfboards, Monster Energy). There is no technology product, no AI capability, and no external investment; growth is reinvested into chapter expansion, programming, and Surfers Bible distribution.

Name

Christian Surfers United State

Legal name

Christian Surfers United States

Website

https://christiansurfers.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Faith-Based Ministry Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Religious Organizations (81311), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Surfing & Kitesurfing Experiences (Lessons, Camps) (THAJAJAJ)

Keywords

• Faith-based ministry
• Surf community outreach
• Leadership development programs
• Youth discipleship training
• International mission trips

Headquarters

HQ city

Huntington Beach

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Christian Surfers US is 100% donor-supported. All staff members are missionaries funded through donations. Supporters can give to missionaries, local chapters, mission trips, Surfers Bible program, general fund, and CSALT training.
2. Merchandise Sales: Online storefront selling branded apparel including t-shirts ($20-$28), hoodies ($39-$45), hats ($22-$25), windbreakers ($32), patches ($15), and journals ($20). Products are made on demand to reduce overproduction.
3. CSALT Program Tuition: 5-month leadership training program costs $8,750 USD inclusive of food, accommodation, transport, activities, and tuition. Requires $1,500 deposit upfront with balance due 3 weeks prior to start.
4. Event Registration Fees: National Gathering 2026 costs $350 per person covering lodging, 3 meals daily, group activities, and materials. CS Girls campouts range from $75-$100. Surf mission trips have separate pricing.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Christian Surfers United States is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit ministry that operates a network of 23 local chapters across the United States to share the gospel with surfers and the surf culture community. The organization delivers faith-based programming including a 5-month CSALT leadership internship, Foundations Training video series, Living Water weekly devotionals, annual CSUS Magazine, the free Surfers Bible, the annual National Gathering, regional CS Girls campouts, and international surf mission trips, alongside a branded merchandise shop and online donation portal.

Product overview

Christian Surfers United States is a nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of faith-based programs and products centered on reaching surfers with the message of Jesus. Core offerings include the Surfers Bible (free distribution), Living Water weekly devotionals, and the annual CSUS Magazine. The organization runs leadership development programs including CSALT (5-month intensive at $8,750) and Foundations Training for youth. Annual events include the National Gathering ($350) and regional CS Girls campouts. The organization operates 23 local chapters across the U.S. and conducts international surf mission trips. An e-commerce shop sells branded apparel ($15-$45).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CSALT: Christian Surfers Advanced Leadership Training - an internship program for young adults aged 18-24 designed to develop leadership skills, grow in faith, and serve in surfing communities. The 5-month program includes theology classes, intentional discipleship, surf road trips, and hands-on missional experiences.
• CS Girls
• Living Water
• Surfers Bible
• CSUS Magazine
• The Launchpad

Products and services

• Surfers Bible
• Living Water Weekly Devotionals
• CSUS Magazine
• CSALT (Christian Surfers Advanced Leadership Training)
• Foundations Training
• United States National Gathering
• Surf Mission Trips
• Local Chapters Network
• CS Girls Community
• CSUS Branded Apparel

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,000+ attendees nationwide at CSUS events and programs
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Groundswell AidcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMinistry partner supporting disaster relief and humanitarian aid efforts within surfing communities. Featured in CSUS magazine and workshops at international gatherings.
• Christian Surfers International (CSALT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal parent organization providing the 8-part Foundations Training video series and international network spanning 28+ nations.
• Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with FCA for athletic ministry coordination, particularly in the Northeast region where FCA partnerships support chapter activities.
• Surf Church CollectivemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization connecting churches with surfing communities. Listed as ministry partner providing equipping workshops at events.
• Aleph SurfmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMinistry partner focused on surf ministry development and outreach.
• Soul Survivor OutdoorminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChristian outdoor ministry organization partner.
• Ride NaturemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal partner in Nicaragua hosting skate outreach events and supporting mission trip activities in San Juan del Sur and Popoyo.
• The Way Church (Nicaragua)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal church partner in Popoyo, Nicaragua receiving service support and conducting children's ministry during surf mission trips.
• Youth With A Mission (YWAM)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal missions organization partner.
• One More WaveminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSurf ministry organization partner.
• Cobian FootwearminorOthersIndustry partner in the surf footwear sector.
• Degree 33 SurfboardsminorOthersIndustry partner - surfboard manufacturer.
• Colonial ChurchmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChurch partner that co-sponsored international Surf & Serve trip to El Salvador with St. Augustine chapter.
• Monster EnergyminorOthersSponsor for the 'For the Girls' surf contest event in Carlsbad.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Surf Church Collective: A network connecting churches with surfing communities — the same 'bridge between the beach and the church' mission CSUS pursues. Listed as a major ministry partner of CSUS and shares the surf-church community-building model.
• Ride Nature: Local CSUS partner in Nicaragua hosting skate outreach events and supporting mission trip activities in San Juan del Sur and Popoyo. Directly comparable as a surf-and-faith outreach organization with overlapping mission trip destinations.
• Christian Surfers International: The global parent and sister organization of Christian Surfers United States. Operates the international network across 28+ nations, provides the Foundations Training video series, and runs the international CSALT program. Directly comparable as the same ministry brand and operating model at global scale.
• Aleph Surf: Faith-based surf ministry focused on surf ministry development and outreach. Listed as a major ministry partner of CSUS and operates in an adjacent niche of surf ministry resource development.
• Soul Survivor Outdoor: Christian outdoor ministry partner of CSUS. Comparable as a faith-based organization using outdoor/adventure activities (including surf) to reach young people with Christian ministry.
• One More Wave: A surf ministry organization partner of CSUS with overlapping faith-and-surf community building mission. Comparable as a peer surf-focused faith organization.

Broad incumbents

• Young Life: A large U.S. faith-based youth ministry organization reaching adolescents through relationship-driven programs. Comparable as a faith-based organization engaging young people in community and leadership formation, though broader than surf-specific ministry.
• Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA): A large, established U.S. faith-based sports ministry organization with national reach. CSUS partners with FCA in the Northeast region; FCA is broader (all sports, all athletes) but overlaps directly in athlete-focused faith ministry.
• Youth With A Mission (YWAM): A global Christian missions organization with which CSUS partners. YWAM is much larger and broader (humanitarian, medical, education missions globally), but shares the faith-based missions and young-adult mobilization model.

Others

• Groundswell Aid: A ministry partner of CSUS supporting disaster relief and humanitarian aid efforts within surfing communities. Not a direct surf-ministry competitor but a collaborating nonprofit in the surf-and-faith humanitarian space.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@christiansurfersUnitedStates
• Facebookfacebook.com/christian.surfers.us
• Instagraminstagram.com/christiansurfers_us
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/christian-surfers-united-state

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Christian Surfers United State