During our recent Salty Speaker Series on Cannery Row, Luke Kilpatrick gave an engaging talk about ocean science and conservancy through the eyes of a child. For those who live, surf, and dive along the California Central Coast, the ocean isn’t just a backdrop, it’s a way of life. Nobody embodies this deeper connection to our coastal waters quite like local Monterey Peninsula author, diver, and underwater photographer Luke Kilpatrick.
As a dedicated supporter who has been involved with the Surfrider Foundation since 2008, Luke has spent nearly two decades volunteering, paddling out, and defending this iconic coastline. Now, he is taking his lifelong dedication to ocean advocacy to two new critical frontiers: children's literature and local coastal governance.
The spark for Luke’s writing career began with a simple, real-world dilemma: a curious seven-year-old child who wanted to read a book specifically about the ocean. Realizing a gap in environmental storytelling, Luke created the Mia Kingtide Ocean Adventures book series.
The core philosophy driving the series is simple yet profound: “Stories are how kids fall in love with places they haven’t been yet..and love is what makes someone a protector.”
The series follows a courageous young girl named Mia Kingtide as she dives beneath the surface of Monterey Bay and sails to the Sea of Cortez. Through her adventures, young readers are introduced to critical environmental threats facing our blue planet, including climate change, overfishing, and habitat destruction. The lineup includes impactful titles such as:
What makes the Mia Kingtide series incredibly unique is its strict commitment to scientific accuracy. To ensure the marine biology is flawless, Luke has the science in his books vetted and reviewed by researchers from top-tier local institutions, including the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI), Hopkins Marine Station, and Moss Landing Marine Labs.
The books even carry literal historical ties to our coastline. Physical copies of the novels actually sailed aboard the Western Flyer, the legendary, newly restored purse seiner originally made famous by John Steinbeck and pioneering marine biologist Ed Ricketts, during its historic return voyage to the Sea of Cortez.
True to Luke’s grassroots ethos, every single book ends by directly empowering its readers. The final pages guide children toward real-world organizations where they can step up and become "Ocean Heroes" themselves, including joining local beach cleanups with the Surfrider Foundation, engaging with marine tech at MBARI (don't miss their upcoming Open House on July 11th, 2026!), or supporting the Giant Giant Kelp Restoration Project & Sunflower Star Lab.
Protecting our coastlines requires grassroots action on the sand, but it also requires an environmental voice where policy decisions are made. Driven by his deep love for the local community and watershed, Luke Kilpatrick is channeling his advocacy into local politics as a candidate running for the Sand City Council in 2026 (following a strong previous run in 2024).
Sand City sits in a uniquely sensitive ecological position on the Monterey Bay. Having a seasoned surfer, sailor, and educator on the council represents a massive opportunity for the region's environmental future.
An ocean advocate in local government means having someone in office who understands the micro-mechanics of urban runoff, respects the delicate balance of coastal dune ecosystems, and prioritizes sustainable local policies. Luke’s platform bridges the gap between community development and strict environmental stewardship, proving that the health of our local economy goes hand-in-hand with the health of our bay.
Whether it's inspiring a child to look into a tide pool with wonder or advocating for cleaner coastal infrastructure, real change starts locally. We are proud to feature community leaders like Luke who walk the walk when it comes to defending our shores.
You can dive into Luke's work and support his missions to educate and protect in a few ways:
Let's keep working together to keep our waves clean, our younger generations inspired, and our local leadership focused on the ocean. See you at the next beach cleanup!
NOTE: Surfrider is not officially endorsing any political candidate.
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