Many students are on board with surfing
Just a half an hour drive from the beach, many students think of crashing waves and the hot sun blazing down. Whether it is for competitions or simply recreational, Students at NPHS are thankful for the many lessons and memories they have gained through their time in the ocean.
Cassandra Wallop, senior, has found that her favorite hobby has also served as a stress-free activity. “[Surfing is] something that I don’t have to compete in… It is a hobby that I don’t have to live up to any expectations, except for my own,” Wallop said. “[It is a] mental escape for me. It’s just something that I have for myself.”
Like any other sport, surfing can be a trial-and-error process. Ryan Stotser, senior, feels that surfing stands out because of how one can see improvement. “[Surfing] teaches you the value of putting in time and seeing those results,” Stotser said. “I think being able to see the progress every time you go out, knowing that every time, and with every wave you get better.”
Surfing introduces challenges that other athletes do not face while participating in school-sanctioned sports. “It’s a challenging thing to get into, because it’s a pretty intimidating environment, but once you overcome that barrier of being scared of the water, then it just makes you a more confident person all around,” Stoster said. The constant threat of tricky waves or sudden changes in the wind forces surfers to constantly keep aware and be ready for change.
Catching a wave can also be a great way to let loose and release pent up frustration. Cooper Eskigian, junior uses surfing to “relax and get away from all the craziness… Being able to get out in the ocean and just enjoy myself with friends or by myself is a nice way to let off steam,” Eskigian said.
Although surfing may take place far from campus, it allows many students to grow closer, and meet others that have the same passion. “The most rewarding part of surfing is the connections you make from it. You meet people out in the water and see [familiar faces] at a certain spot frequently,” Wallop said.
