Our Story
Founded in 2006 by Executive Director Cynthia Y.H. Derosier, Surfrider Spirit Sessions emerged from a unique collaboration with the Hawai‘i Girls Court. Inspired by the life messages in Derosier’s book, The Surfer Spirit, and her motivational speaking, the program was designed to teach at-risk youth through the transformative experience of surfing. With the encouragement of Judge Karen Radius, the pilot program took off, leading to the establishment of Surfrider Spirit Sessions as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2010. Since then, the organization has provided six sessions annually, impacting around 100 Oahu youth each year, fostering personal growth and community strength.