Swami’s Surfing Association was formed five decades ago by a handful of surfers who were regulars at Swami’s Beach, near the Self-Realization Fellowship in Encinitas.
Since the club was formed, the surf spot has grown in popularity. Club president Marcelo Lobos said today, shifts of surfers ride the waves from sunrise to sunset.
“The wave itself hasn’t really changed much,” Lobos said. “The people going in and out in the last 50, 60 years, it’s gone from a trickle to an avalanche of people. But it’s controlled chaos.”
The surfing association’s 300 plus members carry on the club’s aloha spirit by riding waves together, participating in community service events, and leading ocean preservation efforts.
Lobos said the club’s bottom line is fellowship.
“The aloha, the love, instilling in the youth surfing and a healthy sport and giving back to the community,” Lobos said. “For me it’s an honor and a privilege to be president of a club like this, and watch it flourish and grow. And get the younger generation involved now even more. So as we get older, they start taking over the club, and seeing what we’re doing for the community.”
A yearly club highlight is a surf day with the blind, which is done in collaboration with the San Diego Blind Community Center and fellow service groups. Club members station themselves on each side of a surfboard, and use their voices to guide blind surfers to catch a wave.
“They follow the voices and actually get up and ride the wave all the way to the beach,” Lobos said. “It’s a touching event. It’s awesome to give back. There’s no reason to complain you can’t surf after you see that.”
Other outreach events include beach cleanups, and a Grom Competition for young surfers.
Surfing’s top dogs Mike Emerson, Joe Tudor, and Rob Machado are often involved in club events.
Over the weekend, the club hosted the 20th annual "Return to the Reef" Invitational, that drew 22 surf clubs to Cardiff Reef Beach.
Monday evening, the club will hold a banquet at the Pacific Coast Grill in Cardiff to further celebrate its 50 years of riding the waves.
