Bay Area surfing program supports inner-city youth's mental health

STINSON BEACH, Calif. - A caravan of surf vans arrived at the Stinson Beach parking lot on a quiet morning in August. The excitement, pouring out of the vans, will soon mesh with the Pacific. This camp brings surfing to a level that soars beyond just riding waves. "Children's mental health is what this program is all about," said Donnellan.

The MeWater Foundation believes that the outdoors can heal and empower today’s youth. The group targets kids living in low-income communities. Some of their campers may have experienced trauma and stress and others may just need a change in scenery. While the ocean may only be minutes away, for many, it is their first visit and it reveals a different world. Ciick here to read the full article.

MeWater/Laru Beya Collective transforming lives “Coast to Coast”

Produced by Adam Warmington

In December 2023, MeWater founder Eddie Donnellan attended the ISTO Surf Therapy Conference in Puerto Rico. He met the staff from Larubeya Collective, and the connection was immediate! Soon after, we came up with the idea of doing a "Coast to Coast" exchange between our programs, allowing our youth to experience each other's programs and coastal and urban settings. It was a wonderful experience for all involved, and hopefully just the first of many collaborations between our programs. The talented Adam Warmington and his crew made this short film, highlighting just a taste of how special it was!!!

Fishpeople: Lives Transformed by the Sea

Produced by Patagonia Films

Fishpeople tells the stories of a unique cast of characters who have dedicated their lives to the sea. Featuring Kimi Werner, Eddie Donnellan, Dave Rastovich, Matahi Drollet, Ray Collins and Lynne Cox. Directed by Keith Malloy; Produced by Monika McClure; Editor: Alex Jablonsky

The MeWater Foundation: A Story Of Passion & Service

Produced by Joaquin Foster Productions – A Film First Production

Thank you to everyone who aided in the creation of this documentary or agreed to be interviewed: Eddie Donnellan, Ethan Arguelless, Audrey Maxon (camera operator), as well as anybody who volunteers for the MeWater Foundation. This documentary is the result of the San Domenico ROSE (Real Opportunities for Service Education) project. Source: @joaquinfoster

Float

Directed and Photographed - Adam Warmington; Water Cinematography - Sashwa Burrous; Color - Arianna Shining Star; Sound - Will Berridge

Thanks 'Grandma', Davo, Eddie, Timmy, Sashwa, Soskin, Noah, Amber, Benny, Jhaya – AW 2022

The Water Will Rise

A film by Dom Padua

“The Water Will Rise” shows the work of the MeWater Foundation, a nonprofit that takes underprivileged kids to surf around the Bay Area. In Padua’s short, the nonprofit takes members on a special trip to Kelly Slater’s Surf Ranch, a high-tech wave pool in California’s Central Valley. Padua’s work will be shown before the screening of “Birth of the Endless Summer,” which details the true story behind the original 1966 classic.

“I’m really excited about this because Dom is such a talented young artist and filmmaker,” – Julie Mell, Event Founder Beach Break Film Festival

Catching a Break

Produced by Grace McGlashan, Mac Swergold, Mira Klein, and Sadie Schrauth.

Surf Therapy: MeWater transforms the lives of the underserved youth it serves in San Francisco.

A Pandemic Can’t Stop MeWater

How a nonprofit that takes San Francisco kids surfing expanded its work in 2020. For the MeWater groms, small waves come with big smiles. Click here to read this Patagonia. For the MeWater groms, small waves come with big smiles. Written by Morgan Williamson. Photo: Jeff Johnson, Marin County, California.