2021 Stories of Stoke: Mentor Highlight: Corie Schneider

Introducing Corie Schneider: Hanai Mentor Group Leader

My name is Corie Schneider. I am 33 years old and was born and raised in San Diego. My passions are surfing, sailing and exploring the outdoors. My favorite thing in life is sharing my passion with others, whether it’s teaching someone to surf, taking people sailing for their first time, or checking out a new hike in the mountains or desert.

I learned about US4K from my surf club. The first even I ever attended was the Christmas surf camp in 2017, and I was hooked! I knew from that first day that this was an organization I wanted to be a part of. I’ve been with US4K ever since, and this will be my 4th season of Hanai.

My favorite surf camp experiences are when the youth are hesitant to get in the water and full of self doubt, and the elation we both feel when they catch their first wave. A huge boost in self confidence and joy. For Hanai, my favorite part is taking my group on a challenging hike, because the kids complain that they can’t do it, but every time everyone gets to the top… and back down!

Being a park of US4K means that I get to share my greatest passion in life (surfing) with others — especially people who without this organization, probably wouldn’t have the opportunity to experience the ocean. I strongly believe that the more people who have access to the ocean and nature at large are happier people, and will grow up wanting to be stewards and protectors of our environment. You should join US4K if you have a desire to teach young people about the joys of surfing and the beauty of nature.