Celebrating 45 Years of CS

Jerry Dow was a 45-year-old Santa Barbara crime analyst and his only association with surfing was through his police work. “Everytime I would confront or arrest a surfer, God would speak deep inside me: “‘Jerry you have to do something about the surfers.”’ I knew absolutely nothing about surfers and figured God had the wrong person. But Jerry did know a few ‘right’ people who knew a ton about surfing; Al Merrick and Tom Curren’s mother Jeanine - and they shared Jerry’s vision. Christian Surfers US had their first meeting in November 1984 and were completely flabbergasted when over 200 people turned up! The Santa Barbara Christian Federation was formed, followed by another chapter in Ventura, and more. Eventually they banded together as the North America Christian Surfing Federation (NACSF).

In 1991 at the behest of a 20-year-old junior leader, they took a trip to Sydney and were hosted by and down the east coast by CSA cementing our relationship. By 1993 it was just natural that they rename themselves Christian Surfers United States (CSUS) and adopted the logo. Jerry went a step further and cemented his commitment by tattooing it to his arm!

The controversial Richie Collins surfing at a North American Christian Surfers event.

CSUS was handed on to Trevor Kendall who along with John Lindsley found themselves in the mission full-time. Trevor had seen many kids impacted by the gospel in tough Santa Cruz through ‘Team Helgie’ grom group and their Surfers Bible Study Meeting from 1989. They found that surfing was the ideal connector for the gospel in this hardcore surf town. CSUS engaged in national conferences, contests, local chapters and hospitality at the O’neill Cold Water Classic in Santa Cruz.

CSUS Mission Trip

It wasn’t until 1997 that the East Coast group formed their first chapter, when Joe Matera took the bold move to go full-time along with Jon Crans. A young Chandler Brownlee helped pioneer the Virginia Beach chapter around the same time and showed such leadership potential that he was appointed (the youngest) national director in 2000! - As Told by Brett Davis

1982 CSUS Living Waters Surfing Fellowship