"Wade in the Water: A Journey into Black Surfing & Aquatic Culture" Screening

In honor of Juneteenth and St. Augustine’s civil rights history, enjoy a showing of the award-winning documentary Wade in the Water: A Journey Into Black Surfing and Aquatic Culture at The Waterworks on Friday, June 21st at 7 PM.

Wade in the Water: A Journey into Black Surfing and Aquatic Culture reclaims the 1,000-year-old tradition of Black surfing. Braiding historical accounts with modern-day testimonials, the film dismantles the racial barriers of conventional surf culture, delves into the overlooked history of Black surfing’s legacy, and honors its current movement—inspiring the next generation of Black surfers.

After the film, guests can participate in a Q&A with:

– Director David Mesfin, who spent his younger years in St. Augustine and learned to surf with the local community.

– GiGi Lucas founded SurfearNEGRA to democratize surfing and increase diversity in the sport. Her efforts have been recognized by Oprah Magazine, Surfer Magazine, and The Drew Barrymore Show.

– Deyona Burton is SurfearNEGRA’s first-ever ¡100 Girl! Camper. With a Bachelor of Arts in Human Rights and Social Justice from Florida State University, she is an activist and public servant dedicated to community enhancement. She is a White House Honoree, TEDx Speaker, President’s Volunteer Service Award Recipient, and the 2024 National Action Network’s MLK Youth Honoree.

Presented by the St. Augustine Film Society, this event is free, but donations are accepted.