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For Meghan Dambacher, the co-founder of the non-profit RERIP, the journey has always been personal. Her deep respect for the ocean and the community built around it isn't just a mission statement; it’s a reflection of her own transformative experience learning to surf.
“Especially if you are not from the ocean, like I was, I didn’t know what surfing was and hadn’t really interacted with it,” Meghan explains. The allure was immediate. “You see this sport and it looks really cool. It looks fun. You see it and you want to do it.”
Then comes the reality. “You realize how hard it is,” she says. “But you keep doing it.” Meghan vividly recalls the grueling process of those early days. “You get beat by the ocean. You feel like you’re going to drown. You feel like you are going to die,” she shares. It was a humbling and often frustrating experience. “You look around and everyone else is getting it and you’re not. You go out day after day. It’s cold. You don’t know what you’re doing.”
But she kept paddling out. And then, one day, it happened.
“You paddle out and and you get up to your feet and you get the wave,” she recounts, “and there is not a better feeling in the world.”
That single moment changes everything. “It can be a bit of an addiction,” she admits. “You want to keep surfing. Keep getting the wave. You want to keep improving.” For Meghan, that pursuit led to something much deeper than just riding waves. “You develop a relationship with the ocean and the elements. You start planning your life around these elements,” she says. “The ocean teaches you something new every time you go out.”
This transformative connection—the ritual, the patience, the failures, and the ultimate triumph—is part of what binds the surfing community together. It’s this profound experience that lies at the heart of RERIP, a non-profit that has just begun to write its new chapter here in Northern Baja, guided by the same spirit of connection and respect for the ocean.
A Meeting of a Shared Vision
RERIP was co-founded in 2006 by Meghan Dambacher and Lisa Randall on a simple, yet powerful idea sketched out on a napkin in a bar. They wanted to do something that aligned with their values within the community they loved. What began as an online classifieds site for used surf, snow, and skate gear quickly evolved. The goal was to raise awareness about sustainability in the action sports industry and provide a venue for the community to “rerip” their old equipment instead of sending it to a landfill.
As the message grew, so did the need. Meghan’s backyard was overflowing with donated surfboards. Recognizing the demand, RERIP established its first official drop-off spot at the Patagonia store in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California. The mission crystallized, and RERIP transitioned from a website into the first-ever surfboard recycling company, officially registering as a 501c3 non-profit. Its mission is simple: keep surf gear out of landfills while promoting sustainability in surfing.
For nearly two decades, RERIP has been a fixture up and down the California coast. But recently, a new tide brought the organization south of the border. When co-founder and President Meghan Dambacher and her husband moved to the Santa Anita/La Misión community in Northern Baja, she brought the ethos of RERIP with her.
It wasn’t long before she connected with Sergio of Godart Surfboards, a local surfer and shaper whose story immediately resonated. Sergio, inspired by his own deep connection to the water, had found a mentor who taught him the craft of shaping boards. More than that, he was passionate about community outreach, sharing his love for the ocean with others.
“His story about connecting with the water and the ocean resonated with me,” Meghan shares. “I had a very similar experience. Many surfers have that happen—they start connecting with the ocean, and their life totally changes.”
Sergio was already doing the work, teaching ocean etiquette and surfing fundamentals to locals. The synergy was undeniable. “That is where RERIP comes in,” Meghan explains. “Does he need boards? Does he need suits? Of course, yes.”
A partnership was born. RERIP’s new Baja chapter would formally support Sergio’s group, providing the essential gear to help more people experience the life-changing power of the ocean.
Celebrating a Baja Beginning
On a sunny Sunday, August 10th, this new partnership was celebrated with a community event that embodied the RERIP spirit. Held in collaboration with local businesses Godart Surfboards, Sabor Casero Restaurant, Uma Shala Yoga and Migrant Society Coffee Shop, the gathering was a vibrant kickoff for RERIP’s official entrance into Baja.
Locals and visitors mingled, sharing food, music, and a collective love for the coast. The event served as a board swap and donation drive, where people could bring a board to sell, trade, or give away to a new home. A raffle, sponsored by longtime partner Patagonia, raised funds to support RERIP’s programs, such as paying for shipping to send a recent batch of donated boards to a surf program in mainland Mexico.
Crucially, the event also christened a new, permanent home for RERIP in the community. Sabor Casero, a local restaurant, is now an official RERIP drop-off spot. Anyone in the area with a board they no longer need can bring it there, directly feeding a cycle of reuse and purpose.
The Lifecycle of a Donated Board
So what happens to a board once it’s dropped off? Each one is inventoried and assessed. Many boards, still in great shape, are simply in need of a new rider. RERIP works with local ding repair craftspeople to make sure they are watertight and ready for the water. These “better” boards are then given away to non-profit organizations, schools, aspiring grooms, or anyone in need who might not otherwise have access to the sport.
But even a board that has seen its last wave isn’t at the end of its journey. Broken and unrideable boards are a treasure trove for artists and DIY enthusiasts. RERIP saves these boards, providing materials for creatives who have repurposed them into everything imaginable: stunning art pieces, outdoor showers, bedframes, benches, fences, and unique signage. From fins and broken bits to full-length longboards, every part is given the chance for a second life, a far better fate than being buried in a landfill.
More Than Just Surfing
While the surfboard is the vehicle, RERIP’s mission in Baja extends beyond the break. Meghan’s commitment to her new home is holistic. RERIP now supports the local youth soccer team in the Santa Anita/La Misión area, providing coaching, gear, and sponsoring events. The organization is dedicated to promoting positive vibes and health through broader youth empowerment activities, including art, music, and language learning. At its core, RERIP seeks to support ocean awareness and safety, environmental stewardship, and positive community engagement.
The expansion into Baja is a natural evolution for an organization founded on the principles of community and sustainability. It’s a testament to the idea that a love for the ocean transcends borders and that a simple object like a used surfboard can become a catalyst for connection, creativity, and opportunity.
For those of us who call Baja home or hold it dear in our hearts, this new chapter for RERIP is an exciting one. It’s a chance to participate in a grassroots movement that not only cleans up coastlines but also builds up communities. It’s a reminder that the best waves in life are the ones we share.
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