June 22, 2021
Queer Surf
With Breaking Waves: Queer Surf, Vans and Dylan shine a light on often overlooked and polarizing social issues and topics within surfing. In this episode, Dylan connects with San Francisco-based Queer Surf, an organization dedicated to creating a safe space for marginalized people to express themselves and be their authentic selves at the beach and in the water.
Breaking Waves: Queer Surf | Surf | VANS
Dylan and producer Dave Malcolm explore the stereotypical masculine perceptions that often exist within surf culture, as they seek to learn more about the experience of the LGBTQ+ community in the lineup and understand how all surfers can become better allies.
Queer Surf was co-founded in 2015 by former professional surfer Kyla Langen, who used to compete full-time on the WQS, and her partner Nicci Brisebois. Together, Queer Surf organizes meetups across California, encouraging diversity in the water and empowering individuals with the knowledge and confidence to safely navigate and enjoy the ocean without the extra factors of intimidation or exclusivity that can often be a part of the surfing experience.
Vans pro surfer Lee-Ann Curren also joins the conversation, adding her perspective on the process of coming out within the surf industry and highlighting the few like-minded peers and role models she could look to during the early years of her career.
Serving as an ongoing catalyst for continued conversations, the Breaking Waves series aims to help eliminate existing boundaries, making the beach and the lineup a much more welcoming place for everyone. Stay tuned for the next episode highlighting the Black surf community.
