Pacifica Stories

On a warm Tuesday evening, the Pacifica Christian High School Surf Team traded their boards for the podium and brought their signature “Surfers Who Serve” spirit straight into Santa Monica City Hall. With signs in hand and a mission on their minds, students joined forces with peers from across the region to advocate for cleaner beaches and safer ocean waters, especially in the wake of the recent Palisades Fire and concerning water quality reports.

The event, led by Pacifica’s SurfersWhoServe initiative, kicked off outside City Hall with a spirited student-led rally. Pacifica sophomore Regan Whalen set the tone with a heartfelt rendition of the national anthem that drew applause from the growing crowd. Inside, students Joe Holscher and Teal Greene delivered impassioned speeches before the Santa Monica City Council, urging bold environmental action and civic partnership. Also commenting and contributing were fellow students Georgia Fay, Eden Tishbi, Reagan Whalen, and Elysse Champion.  Their message was clear: the next generation is ready to lead.

“Our beaches are our backyard and our classroom,” Teal told the council. “We surf these waters every day. We know when something is wrong, and we’re here to be part of the solution.”

Joe Holscher, co-founder of SurfersWhoServe, emphasized the urgency: “After the Palisades Fire, we’ve seen how fragile our coastline can be. We’re asking for science-based action and long-term investment in prevention. And we want a seat at the table. We've asked for a youth position on the environmental commission at the City of Santa Monica”

Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete, sporting a SurfersWhoServe hat in solidarity, welcomed the students’ advocacy. Los Angeles City Councilmember Traci Park also lent her support, commending the teens for stepping up and speaking out. At the end of her comments, she told the students, "Let's get it done."

The evening highlighted the power of youth-driven civic engagement, with students offering tangible ideas for partnership and coastal protection. Their efforts were supported by The Coastal Alliance, which continues to mentor Pacifica’s surfers in policy, science, and public advocacy.

Pacifica's Surf Team Coach, Dylan Sohngen, captured the heart of the moment: “Pacifica’s Surf Team is proof that teens aren’t just waiting for the future, they’re shaping it. This is what leadership looks like.”

From the steps of City Hall to surf sessions at our local beaches, these students are riding a wave of change and inviting the rest of the city to paddle out with them.

This is the first step for SurfersWhoServe.  They will continue to lead with purpose through student-driven projects that protect our coastlines, serve local communities and promote civic responsibility. SurfersWhoServe is open to all interested Pacifica students who share a love for the ocean, marine life and who want to join their movement. Go to www.surferswhoserve.org to get involved.