In this episode of the Swell Season Surf Podcast, Farmata Dia & Autumn Kitchens embody what NY Surfing is today. Young, stylish, committed to their community, actively involved in giving back and making their lineup a better place for everyone. They open up about their inspiring journeys and contributions to the sport. The discussion ranges from their personal introductions to surfing and the profound impact it has had on their mental health, self-esteem, and community involvement, to addressing broader issues such as racial discrimination and systemic barriers.  The conversation highlights their work with the nonprofit Laru Beya Collective, which empowers historically excluded youth through surfing, and emphasizes the therapeutic and unifying power of the ocean. We also delve into their travel adventures, cultural challenges, and aspirations, including upcoming events like the 'Totally Ghoul Surf & Costume Contest' on October 27th and the 'Surfers in Solidarity Paddle Out for a Ceasefire' event on October 20th. Farmata and Autumn offer insights into how surfing fosters resilience, personal growth, and community support, with special nods to their mentors and organizations that are making a significant impact. We hope you enjoy this episode!  To Follow Farmata Dia and Autumn Kitchens on Instagram, go to @Farmy_ & @_autumnkitchens To Get involved with Laru Beya or Donate go to www.larubeyacollective.com or following them on Instagram @larubeyasurfing The Swell Season Surf Podcast is recorded by The NewsStand Studio at Rockefeller Center in the heart of Manhattan and is distributed by The Swell Season Surf Radio Network. For more information, you can follow @swellseasonsurfradio on Instagram or go to our website: www.swellseasonsurf.com  Music: Artist: TLC Song: Waterfalls Album: Crazysexycool 00:00 Introduction to the Swell Season Podcast 01:06 Meet Farmata Dia and Autumn Kitchens 01:21 Surfing and Community Engagement 01:36 Autumn's Surfing Journey 02:16 Formata Dia's Surfing Story 02:36 Totally Ghoul Surf & Costume Contest 02:53 Welcome and Casual Conversation 03:11 Costume Ideas and Comic Con 04:13 Surf Con and Favorite Surfers 05:30 Discussing the Surfing Costume Contest 09:19 Experiences with Larabea 13:21 Challenges and Microaggressions in Surfing 15:27 Navigating Surfing Etiquette and Anxiety 20:17 Personal Growth Through Surfing 21:53 Life Before and After Surfing 24:57 Lessons from Surfing 31:03 Designing for Ricky Beach Club 34:54 Traveling and Surfing Adventures 41:30 Exploring Northern Sumatra 42:28 Navigating Solo Travel as a Woman 43:11 A Close Call in Mexico 47:09 The Power of Surfing and Community 48:21 Holistic Healing and Surf Retreats 52:30 Family Reactions to Surfing 01:01:25 Balancing Tradition and Modernity 01:08:27 Tribute to Aiden and Serafina 01:15:23 Upcoming Events and Final Thoughts Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/swell-season--3483504/support.