SerpApi.Org
For those of us who have been standing sideways since our early days, it's easy to take for granted the most fundamental part of it all: access. Whether you were raised by the beach (or in the mountains) or could catch a ride with friends, without access none of the joy would be possible.
That's exactly what was in mind when Jake and Donna Carpenter started the Chill Foundation in 1995, to provide access to boardsports to young people that would not have it otherwise. As one of snowboarding's original pioneers, and a lifelong surfer, Jake knew more than most just how much fun could be had and made it his mission to bring that fun to all he could.
Thirty-one years later, Chill has reached more than 35,000 young people across 18 locations in 9 countries, serving over 2,500 participants every year. The programs span snowboarding, skateboarding, surfing, and and every single one is completely free. Gear, instruction, mentorship, even rides to and from the clinics, all for free.
Chill gets those participants on the hill and in the lineup by partnering with social service organizations, mental health agencies, foster care programs, juvenile justice programs, and schools. These are young people who may never have been able to get into boardsports on their own, but were given a chance because Chill made it possible.
What happens once they're on a board is where the real journey begins. For many, that first session sparks something that isn't easily forgotten. Chill's programs pair boardsport progression with a core values curriculum built around six principles: respect, courage, patience, persistence, responsibility, and pride. The philosophy is simple, what you learn in the water or on the mountain doesn't stay there. It stays with you for life. It shows up in how you view the outdoors, how you handle adversity, and how you relate to the people around you and, most importantly, how you view yourself.
Nowadays, the outdoor sports community loves to talk about inclusivity, which is great. But talking isn't much unless it's backed up by action. Chill is one of the organizations actually doing the work consistently and is funded entirely by individual and corporate donors.
If you want to support what they're doing, head to https://www.chill.org/. Every donation goes directly toward making sure kids can continue to have access to the ocean, mountain, or skatepark.
Related: "Still Gonna Send It": From Pro Snowboarder to Adaptive Surfing World Tour
