Beto gets a custom DMZ surfboard from Dave Moore with a Slightly Stoopid graphic

Devon Steigerwald getting a gift set for her and her service dog

Operation Stoke
We Share the Stoke of Surfing, Action Sports, Music and Art

Operation Stoke Artwork by Juan Ma Orozco

How much good can we do together?

Operation Stoke is committed to sharing the stoke of surf culture by providing our recipients with a new custom surfboard or other specialty action sports equipment, supplies or experiences based on their unique situation and needs.

We also provide as much community support as possible through our direct connections in the art, music and action sports industries in Southern California and across the United States.

We do our best to partner with likeminded individuals, businesses and other nonprofits in order to uplift our fellow humans. We focus on recipients who have dealt with surviving extreme hardships including terminal illnesses, physical handicaps, military deployments and natural disasters.

How Operation Stoke Makes a Difference

Jacob Pacheco surfing his new DMZ Surfboard as an adaptive surfer in Huntington Beach

Specialty Sports Equipment

Providing custom surfboards created by DMZ Surfboards and other specialty equipment provided by our partners.

A group of friends with The Movement band singer after a concert

Cultural Experiences

Spending time together at the beach, attending live music shows, art events or action sports competitions.

Operation Stoke pop up tent display set up at Punk in the Park music show

Community Support

Participation at local events and direct outreach to our network of supporters helps us build a community of stoke.

Jason and Dave with Scott and Tommy of StickFigure getting custom DMZ surfboards with Levitate Music Festival artwork by Juan Ma Orozco

Partnerships

Working with our network of athletes, musicians, artists and businesses helps us provide memorable experiences for all.

Dave and Clark on our first Operation Stoke event giving him a custom DMZ

Our Story

How It All Began

In the spring of 2019, surfboard shaper Dave Moore received a call from his childhood friend, Clark Smith, sharing the news of being cancer free after what was initially expected to be a terminal cancer diagnosis.

Clark was stoked and eager to celebrate, so he asked Dave to shape him a new board and wanted him to deliver it to him on the east coast.

Dave, along with another friend, Jason Wray, fulfilled this request for Clark, free of charge, and even added on a road trip to see one of Clark's favorite reggae bands, StickFigure, perform live at the Levitate Festival in Massachusetts.

This first act of generosity amongst friends sparked the idea to do more events like this for more people, and soon Operation Stoke was born. The 501(c)3 nonprofit was officially formed in 2020 by founding members Dave Moore, Jason Wray, and Janessa Bookout who are still currently active board members as we continue sharing the stoke.

Stories of Sharing the Stoke

Operation Stoke has helped support several individuals with their unique situations and we look forward to a bright future ahead helping as many people as we can.

Adaptive Athlete & Motivational Speaker

Jacob Pacheco

Jacob got stoked with a set of specially placed adjustable fins for his custom designed DMZ Surfboard. We also cheered for him as he surfed with Team USA during the 2023 ISA Para Surfing World Championship.

Devon stands with a cart full of groceries and her 2 service dogs

Action Sports Photographer & Cancer Survivor

Devon Steigerwald

Devon got stoked with groceries and pet food for her service dog as she prepared for months off work due to multiple surgeries needed to repair damaged muscle tissue caused by breast cancer radiation treatments.

Marley's Mutts & Pawsitive Change Founder

Zach Skow

Zach got stoked with a new surfboard and a live music experience to celebrate his remarkable accomplishments as an animal rescue charity founder, a role model for sober living and a survivor of terminal liver disease.

Eric got his first ride on his new DMZ surfboard wiith his friends at Malibu

Adaptive Athlete

Eric Lazar

Eric got stoked with a custom designed DMZ Surfboard made for his needs along with a live music experience. Shaper Dave Moore also surfed with him on his new board in Malibu and at a USA Surfing competition in Oceanside, CA.

Beto and his wife Jessie are presented with his new DMZ Surfboard with Sam Hawk, Dave Moore and Janessa

Marine Staff Seargent

Beto Reategui

Beto and his wife Jessie got stoked with a new surfboard and a live music experience after losing their family home in Hurricane Florence and relocating to California to continue his service in the US Marine Corps.

Clark is presented with a new DMZ Surfboard from Dave Moore

Cancer Survivor

Clark Smith

Clark got stoked with a limited edition DMZ Surfboard and a road trip to see StickFigure perform live at the Levitate Music Festival in Massachusetts. This was the first stoke that inspired it all!