Tricia Barretto Ong, Surf Program Lead
Growing up in the valleys of Tovaangar (Los Angeles Basin), Tricia relished every rare opportunity to touch the ocean on school field trips and boogie board during annual family beach camping trips. Access to the ocean expanded for her when she was a dance/theater arts student at UCSC (unceded territory of the Awaswas-speaking Uypi Tribe), then later when she moved to Ohlone land (SF/ Oakland BayArea) to pursue work in the arts. Almost two decades later, she and her daughter participated in a BGS community event that opened up the world of surfing for them. She is grateful to have this space to develop as a wave rider, support increased access to surfing, and feel the joy of community connection at the ocean.
Her work with youth and families in various organizations is driven by her desire to support the cultivation of healthier lives through connection to land, water, and culture. She is a member of the healing advisory for Filipino Advocates for Justice, a bodyworker at Kokko Wellness, and an artist/facilitator with the Agasan project.