FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
- honrosa
- Oct 30
- 2 min read
Dive Aunties Makes Waves: Building an Inclusive Freediving Community Across Southern California
Orange County, CA – October 30, 2025 — Dive Aunties, a women-led freediving collective and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is redefining what it means to belong in the ocean. Founded by Rosa Hon and Trang Phan, the group has grown from a handful of local divers to a thriving community of over 130 members spanning Los Angeles to San Diego—uniting ocean lovers of all backgrounds through shared values of safety, inclusivity, and connection.
What began as a small circle of friends meeting for weekend dives quickly evolved into a movement. Today, Dive Aunties hosts community dives, educational workshops, and mentorship programs designed to lower barriers to entry for women, minorities, and new divers. Their message is simple but powerful: everyone deserves to feel safe and seen in the ocean.
“Freediving can be intimidating at first—but when you have aunties cheering you on, it transforms into empowerment,” said co-founder Rosa Hon. “We’re not just creating better divers; we’re building confident, capable ocean stewards.” Drawing from Trang’s background as a licensed psychotherapist, the organization embraces emotional well-being and trauma-informed principles to make ocean exploration accessible, supportive, and empowering for all.
From Orange County’s kelp forests to the sandy coves of La Jolla, Dive Aunties is recognized for its vibrant events such as themed fun dives, treasure hunts, and safety-focused community sessions that blend education with joy. Through the Dive Aunties Foundation, the organization also provides scholarships, gear assistance through sponsorships, and freediving safety education to promote accessibility and environmental awareness. Dive Aunties represents a new wave of leadership in ocean recreation—by women, for everyone.
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Dive Aunties Key Facts
Community Impact: Over 130 active members and growing, with meetups hosted across LA, OC, and SD.
Education First: Offers free, donation optional, and low-cost safety briefings and introductory sessions.
Nonprofit Mission: Operates as a 501(c)(3) public benefit non-profit organization dedicated to promoting safety, education, and inclusivity in the freediving community.
Ocean Stewardship: Partners with local businesses, instructors, and industry experts to foster responsible foraging, diving ethics, and marine conservation.
Empowerment Through Connection: Encourages intergenerational mentorship—pairing new divers with experienced freedivers affectionately known as “aunties.”
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Media Contact:
Rosa Hon, Co-Founder, President | Dive Aunties Foundation
Trang Phan, Co-Founder, Program Director
📍 Orange County, California
Dive Aunties Foundation, a Public Benefit Nonprofit 501(c)(3) EIN: 39-5015754
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