MTC Surf wave and sunrise markRise With the Tide 2026

MTC Surf

San Diego · Santa Barbara · Ventura

More Than Conquerors (MTC) serves foster youth, adoptive and kinship families, and trafficked youth ages 2 – 25 in San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties. With the gift of surfing, MTC provides our youth with the opportunity to heal from trauma through joyful, empowering experiences.

Find a surf dayVolunteer
Film by Noah Fontes

Next on the calendar

Upcoming for MTC Surf

See the next surf days in San Diego and Ventura.

Inside an MTC Surf event

What We Do

MTC Surf hosts monthly beach days for foster youth, adoptive and kinship families, and young people affected by trafficking. Here is what one of those days looks like.

One supported beach day

A surf day, from start to finish

No gear or surfing experience is required. MTC Surf provides boards, wetsuits, instruction, water safety, lunch, and support on the beach.

About 3 hoursFrom family check-in to the final sendoff

  1. MTC Surf staff and volunteers in red shirts gathered beside surfboards on the beach
    MTC Surf families and volunteers gathering beneath the event tent on the beach

    Step 1 of 5: Arrival and check-in

    Meet the team and gear up

    Families meet the instructors and volunteers who will support them, then gear up at the tent with wetsuits, boards, water safety, surf etiquette, ocean care, and stance practice.

  2. MTC Surf participants and volunteers carrying surfboards toward the shoreline
    Photo by Skylar Alves

    Step 2 of 5: To the water

    Head to the shoreline together

    Participants and volunteers carry boards down the beach as the supported surf session begins.

  3. MTC Surf instructor supporting a participant on a surfboard in the ocean

    Step 3 of 5: In the water

    Surf with an instructor close by

    Each participant receives in-water instruction with trained MTC Surf staff and volunteers alongside them.

  4. MTC Surf participants and volunteers reconnecting together on the sand after surfing

    Step 4 of 5: Back on shore

    Rest, eat, and reconnect

    After surfing, participants warm up, eat lunch, and spend time with family and volunteers before the final sendoff.

  5. MTC Surf participants and families walking through the Tunnel of Honor at the end of the day

    Step 5 of 5: The final sendoff

    The Tunnel of Honor

    Before heading home, participants and their families walk through a cheering line of volunteers, the same people who shared the day with them.

    Find a surf dayVolunteer at an event
MTC Surf founder Elle Miller welcoming a young participant on the beach

Where MTC Surf began

Our Story

MTC Surf began with a small group of surfers sharing the water with children from orphanages in Mexico. Today, it hosts supported surf days in San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Ventura for foster youth, adoptive and kinship families, and young people affected by human trafficking.

Founder Elle Miller, a Ventura surfer and instructor, describes surfing as a way to heal from loss and build confidence.

Read our story
Santa Barbara MTC Surf volunteers and participants
Photo by Skylar Alves

Ways to help

Help make the next surf day possible

Give your time on the beach, or learn how donations can support equipment, meals, supplies, and trained event support.

Join the event team

Water and beach roles include surf support, check-in, setup, meals, equipment, and breakdown. Choose the roles that fit and complete one application.

See volunteer roles

Support a surf day

Donations can help cover surf instruction, equipment, meals, supplies, and trained event support. See the giving page for current donation options and availability.

Learn about giving

MTC Surf Shop

Merchandise from MTC Surf

Our shop is getting ready. Check back soon for MTC Surf merchandise.

Coming soon
Visit the shop