June is FULL of sunshine, and that’s why it’s so fitting that we are celebrating Marion Clark as our June Betty of the Month!
The one your fave Marion Sea Glass Charm and Earrings are named after, Marion, is not just a momma, surf enthusiast, and community leader; she is a true force in and out of the water and is truly passionate about surfing, community, and people.
It’s been a while since we last checked up on Marion (2021). She is still the strong, passionate woman we know and love today. Marion continues to be involved in the surf community immensely. Not only running her own surf program for the youth, Surf Bus Foundation, but also constantly volunteering at her daughter’s school, judging surf contests, and building up her local surf community.
Marion is a leader full of strength, heart, and pure stoke.
Let’s catch up with Marion and see what she’s been up to over the past five beautiful years, and wow, what a heartwarming and inspiring few years it’s been.
“At the end of May, I [got] to judge the Queen of the South Bay in Manhattan Beach, and this coming October, I will help Girl in the Curl put on their second Queenie of Doheny.
Peak experiences like contests can give us valuable insight into how we’re coming and going in our surf journey (physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually). I like bringing humor to stressful situations to help the grommettes transform their anxiety into excitement and a rad learning experience.”
“My daughter is in kindergarten, and this year, I spent a lot of time volunteering at her school in the classroom and for PTA-sponsored events. It’s important to me that people around me know they count on me as a solid and consistent member of the village.
One of the things I have to offer all the new moms I’ve been connecting with is the joy of surfing and how it is an intergenerational tool to connect families. I am starting a new program this summer for Surf Academy called Mermaid Mamas that will meet 4 times a week while all the groms are in camp—the fun is not just for the littles, and it’s never too late to learn something new!”
“I am helping the underclassmen plan a big community party and silent auction (May 31-June 8) so we can fundraise to create a scholarship fund for families who need financial assistance to join the surf team, and a fund to make our 6-yearly community surf contests for middle and high school-aged surfers, Ohana Nalu Surf Series, free for all entrants.
The surf team and the accompanying contests are a vehicle for local youth to create community pride and be in service by sharing their surf/ocean safety skills. We want to make it more accessible for anyone/everyone who wants to try it!”
“I’ve also had a lot of full-circle moments this year with former employees and students.
I have run into people I haven’t seen in decades who shared stories about how their time working with me at Surf Academy shaped the rest of their work life, or how they parent their children now that they have their own families.
I got a letter recently from an about-to-graduate senior who wasn’t able to join the team this year because his music commitments were in conflict with practices, but he took the time to write me a beautiful note about what all his years on the team have meant to him. I took a photo of the letter (it’s above), and on my finger is a custom Betty Cairn Ring with two pieces of glass gifted to me by another student who graduated this year.”
“My goals [are to] go on two surf trips this year, one with my girlfriends from Textured Waves and one that I plan with/for all the Mermaid Mamas who will surf with me all summer. It would be radical to plan a surf retreat for us, either here in California or one of my favorite surf destinations in Central America or Hawaii.”
Marion, you are a true gift in this world and inspire us daily. Your strength and dedication, not just to surfing but to your family and community, is the definition of a Team Betty. We are so lucky to have you as part of the Betty Family.
👉 Follow Marion’s journey at @maliona68
and @surfbusfoundation!
✨MARION’S FAVES✨
“It’s so hard to choose. I LOVE CREATING CUSTOMS! (Peep her purple Cayden Pendant custom 😍)
When I can’t decide on which ring design is my favorite, I go with a Cairn Stack so I can have all the glass at once. I also love Marion Charms and gold Mini Cayden Pendants.
My latest custom pendants are with some patterned sea glass from the Caribbean in the Marion design, and some really cool glass shaped like a Shaka in the Kim necklace design.”
🛍️ Shop Marion’s Faves
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