Surf, Serve, Stoke

THE PENDLETON SURF CLUB

Lou Deforest

Eric Frankin President

Eric Franklin, President of The Pendleton Surf Club, is a dedicated military service member and lifelong surfer, Franklin leads a club that brings together active-duty personnel, veterans, reservists, and their families through a shared love of the ocean. More than just a surf crew, the club is a tight-knit community where military surfers connect, support each other, and give back through events like surf therapy for disabled veterans and mentorship programs for kids with disabilities.

The roots of The Pendleton Surf Club trace back to the late 1990s, when a few military surfers started meeting up at DMJs and Church, two of the best breaks on base. What began as informal surf sessions quickly grew into a movement, drawing in more and more surfers looking to share the stoke. Over the years, the club evolved from casual meetups into a full-fledged organization, hosting all-military surf contests, organizing volunteer events, and creating a nationwide network of military surfers. Today, the club has members across the country, an active online presence, and even its own apparel sales, helping to fund its mission.

Melanie Roy

At its core, the club is built on four key values: Honor, Respect, Dedication, and Fidelity. Members are encouraged to honor the sport of surfing, live with integrity in and out of the water, and always respect their fellow surfers, the ocean, and the waves they ride. Dedication plays a huge role, whether it’s improving their own skills, mentoring others, or giving back to the community. Finally, fidelity—loyalty to fellow surfers, veterans, and families—ties everything together, ensuring that the bond between members goes beyond the surf.

Lou Deforest

With 25 miles of prime coastline and some of Southern California’s best waves at their doorstep, club members have no shortage of opportunities to get in the water. The club hosts monthly surf meetups at local breaks on base, along with quarterly gatherings at a local restaurant in Oceanside, where members can share stories, connect, and plan future events. In addition to surf contests and community outreach programs, members also participate in parades, charity events, and just about anything that keeps the surf culture alive.

No matter their skill level, every member of The Pendleton Surf Club brings something unique to the lineup. Some are just learning to paddle out, while others have been riding waves for years. But at the end of the day, it’s not about how good you are—it’s about showing up, sharing the stoke, and being part of something bigger.

Nick Barringer

Whether you’re stationed at Camp Pendleton or just passing through, if you’re a surfer in the military, this is your crew. Grab your board, hit the lineup, and see what The Pendleton Surf Club is all about.

Website: thependletonsurfclub.com

Instagram: @thependletonsurfclub