Year One: Expanding Access to the Ocean

Milestones & Momentum

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In 2025 we hit some exciting milestones. AFF ran 9 unique programs, reached 150+ participants in our aquatic initiatives, and trained 22+ divers, while maintaining a waitlist of 150+ aspiring students eager to join. The launch of our Scientific Diving Cohort marked a significant step, through rigorous training in DAN rescue protocol, advanced diver skills, and actual field survey work, we certified six students in rescue and four in AAUS-scientific-diving.

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This first year has been about establishing foundation, building our capacity, refining our curriculum, and showing that high-impact, accessible ocean education can happen.

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Program Highlights & Human Moments

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Our programs this year spanned from entry-level experiences to advanced scientific training. For example:

• The Ocean Comfort Course introduced people to ocean safety, snorkeling, and the dynamics of California beaches, knowledge often missing in traditional swim/surf lessons.
  
  
• The Open Water Scuba Course, run in partnership with Blueholic SCUBA, saw two cohorts begin their journey into marine science careers.

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These individual stories matter: participants who once stood hesitantly on the shoreline now glide confidently through water, surfacing with new competence, new allies, and new purpose.

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Each moment of transformation is a win for equity in ocean access.

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Looking Ahead, Growth, Access & the Blue Economy

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As we move into 2026, our vision expands. We’re aiming to scale our cohorts, deepen partnerships, and increase access regionally. Our goal: more frequent scientific-diving cohorts, larger program capacity, and the launch of a dedicated facility, a stronghold where diversified ocean training, workforce development, and experiential access converge.

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We’re also aligning with future-forward sectors of the blue economy, from habitat restoration to tech-enabled conservation, and from dive ops to community outreach.

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We invite you to help steer this course: What area should we prioritize next year? Plastic pollution? Habitat restoration? Community empowerment? Tech innovation?

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Gratitude & Call to Community

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None of this progress would be possible without the support of our partners, mentors, participants, and donors. A special thanks to the The Bay Foundation for their structural support and collaboration this year.

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As we celebrate year one, we also invite you to join us in year two. Whether you’re curious about diving, looking to build your marine career, or simply want to help someone feel welcome in the ocean, we’re ready.

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