Our Tribe
The Salt Water Divas are thrilled to count a variety of local legends and first-class establishments as part of our crew. Join us and take a class with Mary Osbourne or Doug Yartz. Surf abroad with Holly Beck of Amigas. Get a surfboard shaped by Dave of Progressive Boards. Or get deals with Surf Country, Ventura, and A-Frame Surf Shops and more.
Our Instructors
Doug Yartz
Doug Yartz, a Goleta local and owner of Surf Country Surf Shop, has been surfing since the age of 10. He has surfed the north shores of Hawaii and South America and loves boards long, short, and everything in between. He teaches the art of board shaping as well as repairs. Even with all his years of experience, the thing Doug loves most is helping people learn how to surf. “I feel inspired every time I see the excitement of a new surfer catching their first wave. I remember that feeling and there’s nothing like it.”
Dave Johnson
Dave Johnson is a local icon and owner of Progressive Surfboards since 1975. His custom boards have graced the water with World Champions like Shaun Thompson and Kelly Slater. With over 40 years in local waters from C Street to Rincon to Jalama—as well as Mexico, Hawaii, and Panama—Dave loves sharing his extensive surf knowledge. He is the proud surf coach for Santa Barbara and Goleta Unified School District and an instructor and custom shaper for the Divas.
Mary Osborne
Mary Osborne is a symbol of the past decade’s women’s surfing movement. She has won numerous awards including the MSA Classic, Ventura County’s “Best Athlete,” and MTV Surf Girls long boarding division. Nominated for a 2003 Teen Choice Award, she has appeared in Entertainment Weekly, FOX Sports Net, and in a long list of magazines including Surfer, Surfing, and Sunset. Mary is the co-author of Sister Surfer: A Woman’s Guide to Surfing with Bliss and Courage and operates Mary Osborne Surf Camps.
Kilian Garland
Kilian Garland, Salt Water Divas newest coach, has been a professional surfer on the World Surf League for 15 years. He is the 2017 WSL North American Champion and so much more. Many of us locals have watched him crush the Rincon Classics and to have been fortunate enough to take clinics with him in between his pro schedule. A Santa Barbara local, Kilian is an inspiration to everyone he coaches from beginners to experts.
Want to partner with the SWD, become a vendor, or reach our 600-strong community?
We work with a select group of instructors, travel companies, gear providers, artisans, local businesses, and more to provide great deals for our members and great exposure for you!
Want to sponsor a surf scholarship? We also offer lesson sponsorships for those in our community who wouldn’t be able to participate otherwise.
Contact: Toyo
SaltWaterDivas@gmail.com
Follow our journey
