Samohi Surfers Take Trophies at Third ISF Meet in Ventura

Dave Quick
Special to the Mirror
  
   Eleven members of the Santa Monica High School Viking Surf Club traveled to Ventura Sunday, December 14, to compete in the third Interscholastic Surf Federation (ISF) meet of the season, and brought home some trophies.
   Having bested its head-to-head competitor, Carpinteria High School, in first round team competition, three Vikings moved on to the medal round. Kendall Dill captured the fifth place trophy in women’s long board. Andrew McNab took sixth in men’s body board. And Ian Quick had a strong meet, winning trophies in both men’s body board (third) and men’s long board (fifth).
   Other Viking squad members competing included men’s short boarders Chris Colajezzi, Gabriel Dill, Jack Jacobs, Tim Plumridge and Sam Vinstein. In addition, Eamon Wright and Jack Jacobs competed in men’s long board, and Matt Felton in men’s body board.
   It was the second time in as many meets in which the Vikings’ first round team beat its match high school competition, as well as overcoming erratic conditions.
   Competition began at a chilly 7 a.m. in heavy surf. Later in the day, the surf rose to occasional five footers with wave faces twice the height of the surfers, which led to some incredible rides. A cold front dumped rain on the meet mid-day. The meet ran nearly nine hours. Trophies were awarded under clearing skies.
   The Vikings will enjoy the proverbial home field advantage at the next ISF meet scheduled for Bay Street break in Santa Monica on January 10.
   “Bring them on!” notes Samohi Surf Club coach Bill Pence. “We are proud to welcome some of the best high school surfers in Southern California to the friendly waters of Santa Monica.”
   Samohi Viking Surf Club sponsors include ZJ’s Boarding House, Library Ale House, Island’s Surf Shop and Patagonia.