What is CASA and Adaptive Surfing?

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To empower adaptive surfers by providing access, opportunity, and financial support, allowing athletes to compete at their highest level and inspire others through resilience, performance, and community. 

The California Adaptive Surf Team was founded through the pioneering efforts of many California based adaptive surfers in the 2000s and early 2010's. One of the first to break the record was Mark Thornton, who competed alongside able-bodied athletes in coalition and open surf events throughout California. His presence in these lineups helped challenge perceptions and expand visibility for adaptive surfing within the broader surf community.

Building on that foundation, the team was created to support adaptive surfers pursuing competitive pathways at the regional, national, and international levels.

Adaptive athletes often face significant barriers—including travel expenses, specialized equipment requirements, and limited access to sponsorship. The California Adaptive Surf Team exists to remove those barriers, providing the resources and support athletes need to focus on performance, progression, and representing the sport of professional adaptive surfing at the highest level.

• Inclusion: Surfing should be accessible to all who earn it. The ocean demands respect and humility to play in its bounds.
• Athlete-First: Support tailored to real needs.
• Integrity: Transparent, impact-driven operations and logistics, trust built reputation.
• Community: Building connection through surfing and other outdoor sports such as wheelchair tennis, skiing, adaptive mountain biking and more.
• Excellence: Supporting high-level performance in and out of the water, always try your best.