Tony Corley // Founder Black Surfing Association

Tony Corley was born in Paso Robles, California. He was 12 years old when he first tried surfing, and his determination to master the sport led him to fall deeper in love with it. He earned his bachelor’s degree in social sciences and his Master of Art degree in education, with an emphasis in psychology, both from California Polytechnic State University. He worked as a teaching assistant, group supervisor and youth counselor at the California Youth Authority from 1968 until his retirement in 2003. Corley founded the Black Surfing Association in 1974 following a letter he wrote to Surfer Magazine advocating for black surfers to come together in support of the activity. The organization has been bringing black surfers together in celebration of waves in central and southern California for 43 years. Inspired by this work, Rockaway’s Louis Harris started offering free surf lessons in 2016 to any kid who wanted to jump in.

“I had plenty of white surfer friends, but I was looking for other black surfers out of a need for a sense of belonging within a culture that wasn’t always accepting of blacks.” – Tony Corley

The "Wade in the Water" limited-edition portrait series showcases activists, pioneers, and future leaders in SoCal’s BIPOC surf community adorned with the leaves of Afrocarpus gracilior, aka the African Fern Pine.

Museum-quality fine art digital print

Frame recommendation:
CLASSIC LIGHT MAPLE WOOD PICTURE FRAME