Location: Santa Cruz, CA
Commitment: ~20 hours/week (during business hours)
Compensation: unpaid, with perks

About Us

Swellcycle is reimagining the surf industry by developing sustainable, 3D-printed surfboard cores made from bio-based materials. We're based in Santa Cruz and collaborate with local shapers, surfers, and technologists to push innovation while keeping the ocean at the heart of everything we do.

We’re offering a hands-on Marketing Internship designed to provide practical training in content creation, brand storytelling, and sustainable surf industry media. This is an educational opportunity aimed at students or early creatives looking to develop their skills while learning how visual content supports brand communication, marketing strategy, and community engagement.

As part of your learning experience, you'll work alongside the Swellcycle team and receive mentorship and regular feedback as you develop content around our technology, partners, and community. You’ll gain real-world exposure to production workflows and sustainable product storytelling in a mission-driven environment.

This internship is best suited for someone who already has a foundational understanding of photography and videography as well as marketing, and is looking to build confidence and a portfolio through guided, real-world experience.

What You’ll Do

• Help develop and implement marketing strategies for Instagram, website, and other platforms
  
  
• Assist in planning, scheduling, and publishing social media content
  
  
• Monitor performance metrics (likes, shares, views) and suggest content improvements
  
  
• Contribute ideas for campaigns, promotions, or partnerships that align with our mission
  
  
• Capture video and photo content that aligns with Swellcycle’s mission and style
  
  
• Film surfers riding Swellcycle boards (at least once a week in the Santa Cruz area)
  
  
• Document shapers and partners working with our printed cores
  
  
• Take visual content of our 3D printing process and technology
  
  
• Organize and deliver footage to the Swellcycle team on a weekly basis
  
  

Who You Are

• Have some background in marketing, social media, or brand communication
  
  
• Familiar with Instagram and other digital platforms, and interested in how they drive engagement.
  
  
• Comfortable using a camera, drone, microphones (gear provided by Swellcycle).
  
  
• Reliable, proactive, and organized
  
  
• Available on weekdays during business hours (9am–6pm)
  
  
• Passionate about surfing, sustainability, and visual storytelling
  
  
• Able to work independently and adapt to changing schedules or surf conditions

What You’ll Gain

• Real-world experience in content creation, brand storytelling and digital marketing
  
  
• Hands-on training in social media strategy, engagement analysis, and content planning
  
  
• A portfolio of work across action sports, sustainability, and tech
  
  
• Opportunities to connect with surfers, designers, and innovators
  
  
• Behind-the-scenes access to a forward-thinking surf manufacturing process
  
  
• Swellcycle gear and occasional perks
  
  
• Access to our classes
  
  
• Swellcycle board testing
  
  

To apply, submit your CV, a short cover letter, and a few samples of your photo/video work via the job posting below.

Location: Santa Cruz, CA
Commitment: ~20 hours/week (business hours)
Compensation: Unpaid, with perks

About us

Swellcycle is reimagining the surf industry by developing sustainable, 3D-printed surfboard cores made from bio-based materials. We're based in Santa Cruz and collaborate with local shapers, surfers, and technologists to push innovation while keeping the ocean at the heart of everything we do.

We’re offering a hands-on Composite Research and Development Internship designed to give students or early professionals exposure to sustainable product development, advanced surfboard manufacturing, and closed-loop material recycling.

As part of the internship, you’ll learn Swellcycle’s full production process, from 3D-printed surfboard cores to final glassed boards ready to ride. You’ll also be introduced to the way we turn waste (like failed prints, fiberglass offcuts, and resin trimmings) into new composite materials. This internship includes training in product quality testing at different stages of manufacture.

Interns will work closely with our engineering and operations team and gain experience in sustainable manufacturing, R&D, and circular material systems.

What You’ll Learn & Do

• Learn how 3D-printed surfboard cores are designed, printed, and assembled
  
  
• Understand the steps of the glassing and finishing process
  
  
• Participate in our recycling workflow: shredding waste, compression molding, and composite development
  
  
• Assist in product testing for quality, strength, and durability
  
  
• Help track data on materials performance and production workflow
  
  
• Gain exposure to experimental materials and sustainability R&D projects
  
  

Who You Are

• Curious and hands-on, with interest in fabrication, design, and sustainability
  
  
• Comfortable working in a workshop environment (we’ll train you in safety protocols)
  
  
• Organized and proactive, with a willingness to learn new skills
  
  
• Available during weekdays (Mon–Fri, 9am–6pm) for up to 20 hours/week
  
  
• Bonus if you have experience with 3D printing, resin work, or product testing

What You’ll Gain

• First-hand training in sustainable product development and circular materials
  
  
• Real experience in advanced manufacturing techniques used in performance surfboards
  
  
• Mentorship and collaboration with an experienced team of designers and makers
  
  
• Portfolio-worthy exposure to process documentation, materials testing, and recycling workflows
  
  
• Access to Swellcycle classes and opportunities to try our surfboards
  
  
• Swellcycle gear and occasional product perks
  
  

How to Apply

To apply, submit your CV and a cover letter via the job posting below.