Racism is pervasive, even in the most unexpected places—amid the waves, among the (false) ambassadors of cool: Californian surfers. On Los Angeles’ most popular surf spots, African Americans endure waves of insults and intimidation, and sometimes even physical violence, as shown in Black Surfers Matter, a powerful French documentary series available on Arte.tv, created by Hélène Eckmann and Jérémy Michalak, and directed by Cécile Delarue.

For Black Surfers Matter, the graphic design reflects the intensity and urgency of the subject while paying tribute to the visual and cultural universe of surfing. The aim is to capture both the beauty and the violence of African American surfers’ experiences, blending Californian aesthetics with social critique.