Harnessing the Power of Play
The Sea League
Each week, Leadbetter Beach transforms into a vibrant playground as kids wiggle on tiny wetsuits passed out from the doors of ‘Beluga,’ TSL’s sprinter van packed full of wavestorms and wetsuits.
Kids splash through the frothy, knee-high water at Leadbetter beach, clamoring onto the ‘Mega-Board.’ TSL Lead Coach Lauren French pushes the board of giggling kids, heading out onto the open ocean — while other kids tussle in the rolling waves and dive into the cold waters.
Founded just a few years ago, TSL is a Santa Barbara nonprofit that provides opportunities for children to explore and play in marine habitats, especially through water sports. It is committed to the inclusion of all children regardless of background or circumstance. According to French, the organization uses a sliding scale for pricing, so cost is not a barrier for families.
“For a lot of children’s programs, it can be hard for people with limited means, who might not speak English, or might work all day to get their kids enrolled,” French said. “We try to make it as accessible as possible for people.”
Kids attend camps at Leadbetter and Campus Point Beach in Santa Barbara, but the program also hosts overnights on the Channel Islands where kids kayak, snorkel, hike, and learn about the ocean.
According to French, when they build the sessions, they aim to foster connections with nature and build transferable skills, largely Power of Play frameworks.
“We structure some things to engage problem-solving, as well as cognitive and social skills,” French said. “Part of this, though, is providing the kids with agency to what they want to do and connect with each other.”
As many children are young or don’t have the opportunity to learn swimming, TSL hosts the Big Blue Bridge Program, where they teach water safety and provide swimming lessons. One young girl learned to swim through TSL. French noticed dramatic personal growth aligned with the skills she was learning in the water.
“Yes, they’re learning to surf. But, you can see these problem solving, critical thinking, and regulating skills develop right in front of you,” French said.
“The first day in the ocean she was really timid and hesitant. By the end of the session, she was fully diving under waves and going out on her own boogie board,” French said.
On May 4, The Sea League hosted a Power of Play (POP) event with UCSB Arts and Lectures to share its practices with the community at large. The event communicated that play is important for all people’s well-being and health, not just children.
“One man said that he signed up because it had been so long since he'd been in the water. In just those few hours, you can see how getting back in touch with the playful side of ourselves lights a spark in us and makes us better people,” French said.