Making Waves for Queer Surfers in Venice Beach

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, October 4, 2026

Glen Walsh has become a prominent figure in Southern California’s surf scene by using his platform to support and connect LGBTQ+ surfers, challenging the traditionally male-dominated and heteronormative surf culture. Through initiatives like organizing meetups, co-producing a documentary on homophobia in surfing, and collaborating with groups such as Dream Team Surf, Walsh is helping to create a more inclusive and welcoming environment for diverse surf communities in Venice Beach.

Glen Walsh, a Venice Beach resident, has built a unique presence in Southern California’s surf community by blending his passion for surfing with his identity as a gay man, helping to foster a more inclusive space in a traditionally heteronormative and male-dominated sport.

Walsh’s journey began at age 14, when a crush inspired him to transition from boogie boarding to surfing. Growing up in Santa Monica, he often faced homophobic slurs at the Venice Pier and felt marginalized within the surfing culture, which he described as “super straight, very hypermasculine, very intimidating.” Despite these challenges, his affinity for the ocean and desire to connect with other surfers kept him coming back to the waves.

In 2010, Walsh launched an Instagram account to provide daily surf condition updates for local surfers, a format that quickly expanded beyond his initial circle of friends. His calm, ASMR-style video reports on swells, winds, and tides attracted followers internationally, growing to over 10,000. This online community helped Walsh become a recognized figure in Venice, where he is affectionately known as “Glenice Venice.”

More importantly, Walsh leveraged his platform to create a supportive environment for queer surfers. Through organizing meetups and surf trips, he helped build connections and camaraderie among LGBTQ+ surfers in Los Angeles. His involvement extended into film as a co-producer and music supervisor of “Out in the Line-Up,” a documentary addressing homophobia in surfing. The film, which premiered in cities worldwide, continues to spotlight discrimination within surf culture, and Walsh has actively participated in panels discussing queer representation in the sport.

In 2020, Shelly Guidera, another Venice resident, founded Dream Team Surf, a collective designed to strengthen queer presence in the local surfing scene. Guidera, certified in surf therapy through the Groundswell Community Project, highlights the mental health benefits of surfing, emphasizing the ocean’s role in promoting holistic wellness. Dream Team Surf’s activities, including a 2025 Pride beach party featuring the banner “Trans bodies belong on the beach,” signify ongoing efforts to normalize and celebrate queer identities in beach culture.

Both Walsh and Guidera focus on fostering safety and inclusivity, particularly for women and queer individuals who may feel vulnerable in conventional surfing lessons. Walsh aims to dismantle stereotypes through his teaching, encouraging participants to embrace the ocean with confidence and playfulness.

Their work reflects a broader shift within Venice Beach’s surf community toward greater diversity. By creating spaces where surfers of all identities can connect and thrive, Walsh and Guidera are contributing to an evolving surf culture that values inclusion alongside the sport’s traditional draws.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.