Following the death of 46-year-old George Floyd while in the custody of Minneapolis police, protests in all forms have taken place in reaction. And now, surfers from around the globe are voicing their support in the form of peaceful paddle outs.
For surfers, the paddle out tradition is longstanding and began as a tool for remembrance when someone in the community passed. The act has since evolved to not only be a means of honoring a fallen friend's legacy, but also as a way to collectively raise awareness of social and environmental issues.
Paddle outs for Floyd began in Santa Monica, Santa Cruz and Maui. Now, they've made their way to far corners of the globe including Dakar, Sengal, thanks to organizations such as Black Girls Surf.
Below is a photo series of some of the most recent paddle outs from surf communities around the world, from New York, to Australia, and beyond.
Gippsland, Australia
Gippsland, Australia honors the legacy of George Floyd as well as their native Aboriginal people. - WSL / Luke McNee
Ulladulla, Australia
Ulladulla, Australia forms a heart-like circle for equality. - WSL / Solidarity In Surf / Patagonia Australia
Encinitas, California
Sal Masekela rallies a massive paddle out in Encinitas, California. - WSL / Brady Lawrence
Maui, Hawaii
Maui gathers in solidarity at Launiupoko Beach Park. - Alexandria Pence
Santa Monica, California
A powerful moment from the first paddle out in Santa Monica. - WSL / John Suhar
Lemoore, California
Guests paddle out at the Surf Ranch, 100 miles from the nearest coastal town of San Luis Obispo. - WSL / Blake Hess
Rockaway, New York
Support on land and in the water in Rockaway, New York. - WSL / Zak Suhar
Surf Coast, Australia
A Black Lives Matter Flag next to the Aboriginal flag on the Surf Coast in Australia. - WSL / Willem Dirk
Surf Coast, Australia
Surfers enter the water on the Surf Coast in Australia. - WSL / Jarrah Lynch
Ulladulla, Australia
A beautiful sign at the paddle out in Ulladulla, Australia. - WSL / Patagonia Australia
Completed and Upcoming Paddle Outs:
- Santa Monica, CA
- Santa Cruz, CA
- Huntington Beach, CA
- Encinitas, CA
- San Diego, CA
- Monterey, CA
- Manhattan Beach, CA
- La Jolla, CA
- Santa Barbara, CA
- Pismo Beach, CA
- Pacifica, CA
- Scarborough, ME
- Carolina Beach, NC
- Nantucket, MA
- Rockaway, NY
- Montauk, NY
- Maui, HI
- Oahu, HI
International:
- Biarritz, France
- Bali, Indonesia
- Sydney, Australia
- Gippsland, Australia
- Gold Coast, Australia
- Surf Coast, Australia
- Ulladulla, Australia
- Dakar, Senegal
- Whangamatā, New Zealand
Paddle Outs For Equality Continue Around The World
Bryan Benattou
Following the death of 46-year-old George Floyd while in the custody of Minneapolis police, protests in all forms have taken place in reaction. And now, surfers from around the globe are voicing their support in the form of peaceful paddle outs.
For surfers, the paddle out tradition is longstanding and began as a tool for remembrance when someone in the community passed. The act has since evolved to not only be a means of honoring a fallen friend's legacy, but also as a way to collectively raise awareness of social and environmental issues.
Paddle outs for Floyd began in Santa Monica, Santa Cruz and Maui. Now, they've made their way to far corners of the globe including Dakar, Sengal, thanks to organizations such as Black Girls Surf.
Below is a photo series of some of the most recent paddle outs from surf communities around the world, from New York, to Australia, and beyond.
Gippsland, Australia
Ulladulla, Australia
Encinitas, California
Maui, Hawaii
Santa Monica, California
Lemoore, California
Rockaway, New York
Surf Coast, Australia
Surf Coast, Australia
Ulladulla, Australia
Completed and Upcoming Paddle Outs:
International:
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