Community Spotlight: How Dive Aunties Is Changing Who Belongs in the Ocean

Summary

This article profiles Dive Aunties Foundation (DAF), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and women-led freediving collective based in Southern California. Founded by Rosa Hon, Phuong Pham, and Karla Kizuka, DAF has grown to over 190 members spanning Los Angeles to San Diego. The organization promotes safety, inclusion, and community within freediving, with more than 80% of members being women of color. DAF offers community dives, educational workshops, gear rentals, and scholarships to lower barriers to entry for women, minorities, and new divers.

When the Ocean Feels Like Home

There is a moment every freediver knows. You take your last breath, slip beneath the surface, and everything goes quiet. The weight of the world stays above. Down here, it is just you and the blue.

But for many people, that moment never comes. Not because they lack the desire, but because the sport feels out of reach. Too intimidating. Too expensive. Too unwelcoming.

Dive Aunties Foundation is changing that story, one dive at a time.

From a Handful of Friends to a Movement

What started as a small circle of friends meeting for weekend dives in Southern California has grown into something much bigger. Founded by Rosa Hon, Phuong Pham, and Karla Kizuka, Dive Aunties Foundation is now a thriving community of over 190 members stretching from Los Angeles to San Diego.

The name says it all. These are the aunties who cheer you on during your first dive. The ones who share their gear, their knowledge, and their lunch. The ones who make the ocean feel less like a proving ground and more like a family gathering.

"The sport of freediving can feel intimidating to beginners," says Rosa Hon. "But when you have aunties cheering you on, it transforms into empowerment."

Safety, Inclusion, and Community

Dive Aunties operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a clear mission: promote safety, inclusion, and community within freediving.

More than 80% of their members are women of color. Many did not grow up near the ocean. Some are snorkelers exploring kelp forests for the first time. Others are seasoned spearfishers who have been diving for decades. All of them belong.

The organization runs community dives, educational workshops, and safety briefings led by certified (as of April 2026) instructors. They offer a gear rental program so cost is not a barrier. They provide scholarships so certification is within reach. With over 100 activities planned for 2026, there is always a way to get involved.

Their message is simple: everyone deserves to feel safe and seen in the ocean.

More Than Diving

Dive Aunties events are known for blending education with joy. Themed club dives. Catch and cook gatherings. Safety sessions that feel more like celebrations than lectures.

But the real magic happens in the mentorship. New divers are paired with experienced freedivers, the aunties who have been there before. It is intergenerational. It is mixed ability. It is the kind of support that transforms a hobby into a lifelong practice.

"We are not just inspiring others to become certified freedivers," Rosa explains. "We are creating a space for those that did not grow up near the ocean to feel welcomed into this incredibly healing and fun sport."

Why This Matters to Us

At Surf-fur, we have spent nearly two decades building gear for people who love the water. Open water swimmers. Cold plungers. Freedivers. Anyone who chooses to immerse themselves in the ocean, no matter the conditions.

We know that the right gear removes barriers. It keeps you warm when conditions are cold. It lets you change with dignity in any parking lot. It gives you the freedom to stay out longer and come back tomorrow.

But gear is only part of the story. Community is the rest.

Organizations like Dive Aunties Foundation remind us why we do what we do. They are building the kind of welcoming, supportive spaces that turn first timers into lifers. They are proof that the ocean has room for everyone.

Get Involved

Dive Aunties Foundation welcomes new members of all experience levels. Whether you are a curious snorkeler, a forager, or someone who has never put their face in the water, there is a place for you.

Learn more:

• Website: www.diveaunties.org
• Email: info@diveaunties.org
• Location: Community dives across Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego

Dive Aunties by the Numbers

• 190+ active members and growing
• 80%+ women of color
• 100+ activities planned for 2026
• 501(c)(3) nonprofit status
• 3 founding aunties leading the way

At Surf-fur, we are proud to support communities that make the ocean accessible to everyone. Because the best memories are made when everyone belongs.