StreetWaves was founded by Maurice Maui Goodbeer, a Soul Surfer from San Diego, California who has dedicated his life to bringing youth from under-served communities out to the ocean to swim, surf and sail. In 2003 Maui Goodbeer's younger brother Melvyn W. Patterson III was brutally gunned down in an Oceanside, California shopping mall by a 16-year-old gang member. Maui, while delivering his brothers eulogy, made a promise that he would personally do "something" to help youth in need. In 2008 the vision for StreetWaves came to him while out on a lone surf session in Miami Beach. Our 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization offers all of our programs free of charge to youth participants through generous donations, grants and volunteerism. StreetWaves has successfully taught thousands of youth surfing, swimming, boating, maritime career training, and provides an enriching outdoor experience that connects participants with nature, their community at large, and themselves.