California is known for its beautiful beaches and lively surf culture. While surfing is typically prominent among adults, the sport has still seen popularity among a younger demographic. At Archie Williams, many students take trips to local beaches to surf and spend time with and learn from other surfers, building a strong community and unique surf culture.
Surfers who are new to the sport often look to peers or relatives who are familiar with surfing to seek help and guidance while learning the sport. Archie Williams freshman Basil Willis began surfing at age eight, initially learning from his older brother and later attending various surf camps, which contributed to his current skill level.
“[I’ve been surfing] since I was eight, after my brother took me to try it out. I immediately loved it, and he would teach me whenever we went out. I learned how the sport worked, but once he went away to college, I needed to learn from someone else, so I started going to surf camps to [further improve my skills],” Basil said.
Both beginner and advanced surfers look to surf camps and schools to develop or improve their skills. The number one surf school in Marin County is the Marin Outdoor Adventure (MOA) program. Students attend MOA to improve their skills and to surf with peers at their skill level.
“[Our program] offers lessons to up-and-coming surfers of all ages, but we more prominently teach high schoolers from schools like Archie Williams, Redwood [High School], Tamalpais High School, and San Rafael High School. We teach new surfers how the sport works and more experienced surfers how to improve,” said MOA owner and Bolinas resident Nicki Clark.
Clark founded the program in 2014 because of her and her friends’ love for the sport. After becoming an International Surfing Association Level 1 surf coach, she and her colleagues began giving lessons to beginner surfers in Marin. The company aims to help aspiring surfers learn the sport and bring those who already love the sport closer together.
“I have loved [surfing] all my life and wanted other people to share that same love as me. By founding MOA, I hoped to build a community of surfers and improve the surfing culture in Marin,” Clark said.
Most student surfers typically take a weekend or day trip to surf. However, some more serious surfers find time during school days to drive up to the beach and surf. This can be early in the morning before school starts, or right after school before sunset.
Archie Williams sophomore Nico Rendic often surfs on school days, typically early in the morning before the school day starts.
“[When I surf in the morning], I try to wake up around 5:00 a.m. and drive to pick up my friends. I always pack the night before, because it saves me a lot of time. We drive out at around 5:00 a.m. and surf until 7:30 a.m.,” Nico said.
Students who surf often feel that surfing with their peers fosters a strong sense of community and culture. Student surfers at Archie Williams recognize the other surfers at the school, as they frequently see them at the beach. Basil shares this sentiment and feels that the surf culture at Archie Williams has helped him meet new people and feel more like a part of the community.
“I’ve been [surfing] since I was really little, but I would always just go with family members. At Archie [Williams], I’ve met so many new people who surf, and I’ve been starting to go with them,” Basil said.
However, while Basil enjoys the surfing community at Archie Williams, he critiques the students who dress or act as if they surf, but in reality don’t. Basil hopes the community can remain more exclusive to those who actively participate in surfing, or grow to include those who want to learn.
“I see so many people at our school wearing surf brands or other brands that represent activities like surfing. You can talk to them and easily find out they don’t participate in these activities, and just wear this stuff. I don’t care that much, but I just wish they would stop trying to act like people they’re not,” Basil said.
The surfing community at Archie Williams remains strong, and hopes to include more members. It’s a space where students can connect and share a passion and skill set. As surfing continues to grow among students, it’s clear that it’s more than just a sport; it’s a culture that is followed and of interest to many.
