Meet Cyrus Maroofian | Non-Profit Founder & Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cyrus Maroofian and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cyrus, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
The idea for Water Access To All (W.A.T.A.) has been growing slowly over the past decade. It really started in 2014, when I went to Jamaica during spring break and saw the water crisis firsthand. That experience stuck with me, and when I got back to school, I co-founded Club H2O, which, in hindsight, was the first version of W.A.T.A. We were organizing events, raising awareness, and trying to understand how to actually make a difference.

At the same time, I was studying environmental engineering. So while I was learning about water systems, sanitation, and sustainable infrastructure in the classroom, I was also trying to find ways to apply that knowledge in real life. In 2015, I traveled to Tanzania with the Han-Schneider International Children’s Foundation and set up my first water filter in person. From that point forward, I started traveling with filters, Bolivia, Bali, back to Mexico, sometimes just bringing one or two in my backpack and figuring it out as I went.

The turning point came in 2023, when I went to Vietnam with HSICF. We donated filters to a school, and at the end of the trip, the community asked me to bring more. That was the first time someone wasn’t just thankful, they were asking for a continued relationship. That moment made it clear: it was time to take the next step. A few months later, in 2024, W.A.T.A. officially launched. One of our first trips as a nonprofit was going back to that same community in Vietnam and delivering the additional filters they requested. That full-circle moment made everything real.

Along the way, photography and filming have helped me share the stories behind the work. I shoot on 35mm film, and documenting the process, the people, the places, the moments, has helped others see the impact through a more human lens. It’s become a way to communicate what this work really looks and feels like, beyond statistics.

The surf world has also played a big role. Surfing has taken me to places like Myanmar, where I’ve been able to connect with local surf communities, donate gear, and bring clean water access to coastal villages. It’s opened doors to relationships I wouldn’t have found otherwise, and I’m hoping that surf-led impact can expand into more places soon.

W.A.T.A. didn’t start with a business plan. It started with a spring break trip, a student club, a few filters, and a camera. Over time it’s grown into something that blends everything I care about, adventure, community, creativity, and global connection. And this is just the beginning.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I run a nonprofit called Water Access To All (W.A.T.A.), where our mission is to expand access to clean drinking water for communities in need. We work with local partners in Guatemala, Vietnam, Myanmar, and soon Colombia, to set up sustainable water filter systems and train youth ambassadors to carry the mission forward within their own communities. Through partnerships, we’ve also been able to support with things like solar lights, surf gear, and photography workshops.

What makes W.A.T.A. unique is that it’s grassroots and connection-based. I’ve learned from nonprofits who’ve been doing this work for years, and that’s helped me shape W.A.T.A. in a way that feels authentic to me. I bring my engineering background, which pushes me to build systems and structure, but I also bring my creative side, photography, videos, surf, which keeps it human and connected. Those two sides are always in tension. Part of me wants to organize and design every detail, and part of me knows I need to let things unfold. It’s a lot like surfing: you can prepare and line yourself up, but at some point, the wave decides. You can’t force it, you have to flow with it.

I’m proud of what we’ve done so far. We’ve set up over 500 filters, which means more than 2,500 people now have access to clean drinking water. But more than the number, I’m proud of how many people have been part of this. Friends, volunteers, and local leaders who might never have imagined themselves doing this kind of work have joined in, and through our Ambassador Program, young leaders in each community are now taking ownership. For me, the most exciting part is that W.A.T.A. is no longer just me setting up filters, it’s communities empowering themselves, and me supporting them from the side.

That growth also pushed me to think bigger. While applying for a grant, I got feedback that made me realize I needed to raise my sights. At first, the idea of reaching 100,000 people felt intimidating. But when I broke it down, about 20,000 filters serving five people each — it started to feel possible. I’ve realized that if I set bold goals and stay consistent, the work has a way of catching up.

The hardest part so far has been balancing two completely different worlds. I’ve been working a corporate job for almost a decade while building W.A.T.A. on nights, weekends, and trips. It’s like flipping a switch between two mindsets. During the day, I’m in spreadsheets, meetings, and deadlines. At night, I’m planning projects, building systems, fundraising, or editing videos. When I travel, what used to be vacations are now W.A.T.A. trips, setting up filters, training ambassadors, and connecting with partners. I love it, but it means I’m constantly moving between two identities, and there’s rarely an “off switch.” That’s been the toughest challenge, but also the clearest reminder of what I care about most.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is to be open. W.A.T.A. started one way in my head, but it’s evolved so much because I didn’t resist change. If I had, it wouldn’t be what it is now. That openness has been the key, letting it grow, shift, and take on its own shape. It’s the same lesson the ocean teaches: if you fight the wave, you won’t make it; if you flow with what it gives you, you find the ride.

That’s where we are today, going with it and feeling that flow. We’re still building, still learning, a still figuring it out, but there’s a clear path forward. The work is real. The heart is there. And I’m stoked for what’s ahead.

Also huge shoutout to my parents who have been so supportive through this whole process, even though its not entirely a path they’re familiar with. They been there every step of the way.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend was visiting, we wouldn’t touch Hollywood or downtown LA. We’d start on the Central Coast and work our way down the California coastline, surfing, camping, eating our weight in burritos. No itinerary, no restaurant lists, just boards, film, wax, and adventure. Here’s the move:

Day 1–2: Ventura-ish
We’d kick it off in Ventura, burrito in one hand (iykyk), coffee in the other. First stop? Dexter’s Camera to get some film and maybe talk gear for a bit. Then we’d hit the road. Go north. Find the spot and paddle out for a surf. Camp somewhere up the coast. Hopefully no cell service. Mores burritos in the morning. Fire at night.

Day 3–4: Coastal Float Through Malibu
We’d head down south, through Malibu. There’s a lot of cool spots to pull over on the coast. Maybe a dusty trail, maybe a hidden beach. Just letting the road (and pch traffic) set the pace. No rush. No plan. Maybe stop at first point and swim out to take some photos from the inside. That place can get hectic, but its fun to film and there’s always a good squad in the parking lot or on the beach.

Day 5–6: San O
Next we’d probably go down south. We’d post up at San O for a day or two. It’s mellow, consistent, and always fun. Time slows down there so we’d get the chance for all the surfs the heart desires. Chill by the fire pit, hopefully run into some of the other homies.

Day 7: Close It Out
On the last day, we’d head back to Ventura, stop back at Dexter’s to drop off film and then talk about the trip – the good waves, the weird ones, the burrito debates. Nothing fancy. Just a good ending to a proper week on the coast.

Honestly, this kind of trip doesn’t really need an itinerary, just go with it.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to give a huge shoutout to Arthur Han and the Han-Schneider International Children’s Foundation. Arthur isn’t just a supporter of W.A.T.A. or a board member, he’s like a brother to me. He was the one who invited me on that first trip to Tanzania, where I set up water filters in the field for the very first time. That experience changed the course of my life. It was the moment I realized this was the work I wanted to dedicate myself to.

What stands out even more is Arthur’s heart. The way he shows up for the people we serve, and the love and energy he pours into this work, is something that continues to inspire me. Having him believe in me and stand beside W.A.T.A. from the beginning has been huge, and I’m really grateful for his encouragement and motivation to keep pushing forward.

Website: https://www.cleanwata.org

Instagram: @saltyviewfinder / @wateraccesstoall

Linkedin: Cyrus Maroofian

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@WaterAccessToAll

Image Credits
Preston Kutz, Shawnee Turner, Gaia Menni, Cyrus Maroofian, Izaiah Martinez, Greg Montoya