By Erica Scheider
Staff Writer
Many schools around the country do not have the priviledge of a beach with record waves and warm weather. However, Mira Costa is one of the lucky schools with this and, because of its location, is able to maintain a nationally acclaimed surf team.
Some of surf’s obscurity may be due to the fact that the team is competing and practicing while most students are either asleep or just starting class.
The team meets on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m., with larger contests on weekends. Needless to say there are few, if any, spectators on the beach at that hour of the day.
“Surf team is a great program and a good way to start the day,” junior Kyle Khatchadourian said. “Even though it’s early, we all enjoy being a part of it.”
Costa is one of five South Bay schools that has a competitive surf team. While there are about 20 to 25 members on each team, only a select group participates in contests.
The team’s next major contest is the Fifth Annual Hennessey’s Cup, which is scheduled for March 19 on the south side of the Hermosa Beach pier. Because of last year’s high level of performance, Costa has high hopes.
“It was a good year of surf last year,” junior member Max Roseman said.
“We have a good amount of talent. We accomplished everything that we set out to. We’ve already won our league series so we feel positively.”
During competitions, three surfers from each school compete. Their performances are judged and they are ranked accordingly. Typically in local contests, there are five to six heats. The points awarded to each heat at the end of the contest are added to determine a winner.
“Surf team is a lot of fun this year, even though we lost many good seniors,” junior Michael Cassen said.
Under the leadership of coach Tracy Geller, the Mustangs are trying to build on the tradition of excellence set by last year’s team and are committed to holding on to their top rank in the South Bay.
Last year, Costa brought home a national title with the surf team.
“The surf team this year wasn’t looking so great at the start, but once we got into the season, we all stepped up, especially because we lost so many seniors,” team captain senior David Slay said.
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