Ink Well Beach located in the city of Santa Monica, California is home of a forgotten piece of California history. Ink Well Beach, a 200-foot roped off stretch of the prestigious Santa Monica coastline was a segregated beach for “Negroes Only” during the Jim Crow Era. 

Los Angeles as well as Santa Monica resident of African America descent once called this beach home. The beach was the afternoon retreat for churchgoers in the area.

It was also the home break of the first documented African American surfer, Nicolas Rolando Gabaldon. Nick, as he was fondly known by his group of friends came to the Ink Well to hone his skills.

He would eventually met and befriend many of the pioneers of surfing, such as Greg Knoll, Les Williams, Aggie and Joe Quigg, Ricky Grigg and Mickey Munoz. 

February 14, 2006 an African American female surfer, Rhonda R. Harper asked the city council to place a commemorative plaque at the beach site in honor of Nicolas Gabaldon’s achievements in the world of surfing as well Ink Well Beach. Santa Monica approved the plaque and have set a date for it’s unveiling. 

Santa Monica will unveil the Ink Well Beach/Nicolas Gabaldon commemorative plaque February 7, 2008 at 11:00 at Bay St. and Oceanwalk Blvd. in Santa Monica, CA.

NOTE: For more information, call 818-916-1498 .