In Huntington Beach, CA, the largest gathering of Black surfers in history was united again this year. A Great Day in The Stoke was established to create a safe space for Black surfers to connect. The event entails a surfing competition, recognition for leaders in the community, free surf lessons, and a free Yoga class.
Nathan Fluellen founded A Great Day in The Stoke in 2022. He is a travel TV show host, producer, award-winning creator, and avid surfer. He is also known as Worldwide Nate (World Wide Nate: African Adventures). A Great Day in The Stoke is the marquee event under the Kavata Kids nonprofit organization. Their mission is to increase participation in aquatic activities, including swimming and surfing lessons, among Black youth.
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“I can show that not only do Black people know how to swim, they surf,” Fluellen said.
From the South Side of Chicago at eleven months old, Fluellen was swimming. His parents had him and his eldest sister learning to swim. He learned how to surf in California. From Chicago to moving to California fourteen years ago, Fluellen Worldwide travel is impacting communities to brave the Ocean waves.
He is a thrill seeker doing scuba diving with sharks with no cage, hiking to the top of a Volcano and hiking to see mountain Gorillas. Fluellen said, “If it’s thrilling and adventure I want to do it!”
Tony Corley, was in attendance this year. Corley is the Founder of the Black Surfing Association. He started the Black Surfers Association in the 1970’s.
The goal is to expand to a two-day event. Fluellen said the Slogan is, “the Chocolate tide is Rising.”
For more information about the event please visit AGDITS and follow at @agreatdayinthestoke
