By Daylen Kinser
The Central Valley would, for most, be the last place to search for a surf community, much less one that is devoted to returning to the water over and over again. However, there is a group at Redwood composed of students of all ages and genders that have continued to pursue surfing since before the pandemic and gained an interesting perspective of things through the ocean’s lens.
Redwood senior Chase Beutler, ‘21 explained to me how the constant flow of rules and laws have affected his time at the water. At one point surfing was deemed illegal and you could run the risk of being arrested. Beutler says, “I feel like it put this stigma on [surfing].” If you want to go surfing you have to wait until it’s allowed again, and if you don’t live at the beach then surfing isn’t for you and I don’t think that is what surfing is all about.”
Surfing is a hobby, sport, and outlet for so many people in some of the most unpredictable areas, such as the central valley. It is not for any one community, but rather it is for anyone that can appreciate the adrenaline and escape from life, such as Beutler.
He later went on to discuss the attitude and opinions the locals of these beach towns often have about the tourists visit. He says that it often results in “trashing” the beaches and “tainting” the true ocean dedicated culture that many surfers grow to learn, live, and love.
He says, “Surfing during the pandemic showed the locals that we care about the beach and that the valley community actually does care about the culture and it’s not just to do it.” He explains that to so many kids and adults, it is more than just an activity but something they love to do.
Beutler has surfed for a year now including the morning after New Years going into this year at the Cayucos Polar Dip. It was on that day Chase truly got a grasp of the experience and rush surfing can bring to his life, and recalls catching his first “real” wave that day. Chase has used surfing to grow closer to the ocean, and has no plans on stopping soon.
Another Redwood student, Nathanael Kinser, ‘24, has been on his board since his dad put him down as a toddler. Growing up surfing as a family and being brought up by a dad who prioritizes proper surf etiquette and appreciates the art of the ocean groomed him to be who he is today.
Kinser explains, “It helps me to focus on things besides not going to school.” He says that he had struggled with the idea of not going to school, but surfing has really helped him fill that void.
He often finds himself being his own biggest critique. Improving on things every time he enters the water. When asked if he would ever stop surfing, his answer was simple: “I will surf until I die.”
It has become a passion for Nathaniel and he has always seen it for more than it is. It is not just a board and the water but rather he has used it as an outlet through the frustrating times as an outlet. conclusion