San Diego-based, Grammy Award-winning band Switchfoot helped launch a youth adaptive surf program that continues to make waves for young athletes in adaptive sports. The band’s name itself is a nod to surfing—to “switch your feet” means taking a new stance and seeing life from a fresh perspective, a philosophy that aligns perfectly with the mission of this program.
In 2016, CAF partnered with the Junior Seau Foundation to create a legacy for the late football Hall of Famer who loved surfing as much as football. Together, we wanted to share Junior’s passion for the ocean with youth athletes who might be catching waves for the very first time or honing their skills with professional coaching and specialized adaptive surf equipment.
The program’s official launch took place at Switchfoot’s annual BRO-AM event at Encinitas Moonlight Beach. This community celebration draws more than 17,000 fans each year (in a non-COVID year) for a day of surfing, music, and giving back.
During the event, CAF youth surfers hit the water for a special adaptive surf heat, showcasing their talent and determination. The moment came full circle when the young athletes were brought on stage during the concert to celebrate their accomplishments in front of thousands of cheering supporters.
In addition to the youth heat, CAF entered an elite adaptive surf team into the main surf contest and a fun surf session to highlight inclusion and athleticism in adaptive surfing.
The BRO-AM also raises funds for local youth charities, with CAF receiving over $135,000 to date. These funds help provide surf grants for equipment, coaching, and travel expenses—breaking down barriers and opening opportunities for young athletes to thrive in adaptive surfing.
While the program continues to grow and serve more youth every year, we’ll never forget that first launch at BRO-AM. It was a day filled with joy, community, and resilience—a reminder of the Switchfoot lyric:
“Life is short; I wanna live it well.”
This line holds special meaning for CAF as we remember Sam Day, one of the young surfers who participated in the inaugural clinic. Sam passed away from Ewing’s Sarcoma just a month later, but his spirit remains a part of every wave we ride.
This program started with a simple idea—to give every child the chance to experience the freedom of surfing. Today, with ongoing support, we’re growing the adaptive surf movement and changing lives in and out of the water.
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