O'Neill Sea Odyssey

What is O’Neill Sea Odyssey ?

The O'Neill Sea Odyssey (OSO) program was founded in 1996 by wetsuit innovator and surfer Jack O'Neill. It provides a hands-on educational experience for 4th - 6th grade students from schools throughout Central California, to encourage the protection and preservation of our living sea and communities.

The program is conducted on board the Team O’Neill catamaran with follow-up lessons at the shore-side Education Center at the Santa Cruz Harbor. It is free of charge, but the students earn their way into the program by designing and performing a project to benefit their community.

The curriculum is taught in a stimulating and intimate learning environment, which provides a learning experience that lasts a lifetime. The program’s curriculum is designed to support the educational goals of the schools that participate, and each of the subjects taught align with both California state and federal education standards. The three subjects taught are marine science, marine and watershed ecology, and navigation/mathematics.

Executive Director Dan Haifley has presented papers demonstrating the positive, measurable impact of O’Neill Sea Odyssey’s program on disadvantaged youth in the areas of educational achievement and environmental stewardship.