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San Diego · Santa Barbara · Ventura
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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.
Next on the calendar
See the next surf days in San Diego and Ventura.
Inside an MTC Surf event
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
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


Step 1 of 5: Arrival and check-in
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.

Step 2 of 5: To the water
Participants and volunteers carry boards down the beach as the supported surf session begins.

Step 3 of 5: In the water
Each participant receives in-water instruction with trained MTC Surf staff and volunteers alongside them.

Step 4 of 5: Back on shore
After surfing, participants warm up, eat lunch, and spend time with family and volunteers before the final sendoff.

Step 5 of 5: The final sendoff
Before heading home, participants and their families walk through a cheering line of volunteers, the same people who shared the day with them.

Where MTC Surf began
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
Ways to help
Give your time on the beach, or learn how donations can support equipment, meals, supplies, and trained event support.
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 rolesDonations can help cover surf instruction, equipment, meals, supplies, and trained event support. See the giving page for current donation options and availability.
Learn about givingMTC Surf Shop
Our shop is getting ready. Check back soon for MTC Surf merchandise.

Next on the calendar
See the next surf days in San Diego and Ventura.