A tech hub known for its towering redwoods, the Bay Area might not seem like an epicenter of surf culture. Unlike the sun-soaked surf towns that line Southern California’s coast, the Bay Area’s surf scene is tougher, quieter, and definitely colder. The waves bite harder, the beaches are rockier, and the breaks don’t cut anyone slack. Still, that doesn’t stop the M-A community from padding out and chasing waves through the fog. For many M-A students, surfing isn’t just a sport—it’s a lifestyle, a tight-knit community, and a much-needed break from the pressure of school and packed schedules.
Senior Firpo Bolaños caught his first wave in Capitola when he was just six years old. “The thing I like the most about surfing is the feeling,” Bolaños said. “I forget about everything. It’s just you and the ocean and the waves, and you feel connected to them.”
Sophomore Lucy Gostyla is similarly enthusiastic about surfing. “I really like being in the ocean. I’ve always loved swimming in the waves and being in the water,” she said. Gostyla surfs competitively on the Half Moon Bay Surf Team, whose season runs from August through February.
Surfing provides more than just a physical outlet—it’s a spiritual one, too. Study Skills and assistant Government teacher Andy Stuart is a lifelong surfer from Pacifica and leader of the Social Voyages Costa Rica Trips. “Surfing is kind of like life. You ride the waves. Sometimes you get smashed by the waves, but when you catch one, it’s one of the best feelings in the world,” he said.
However, surfing in the Bay Area comes with its challenges. From icy waters to the occasional shark encounter, local conditions can push even the most experienced surfers to their limits. “It is difficult to surf in the bay area because we can’t always go and it’s a little far away,” sophomore Naomi Jones said.
Sophomore Spencer Harding, a newer addition to the surfing community, finds community in the world of surfing. “The most underrated thing about surfing is the friends that I make along the way and how calming it is,” he said. “On the weekends I get to go out with my friends, which is really fun.”
As for location, everyone has their favorite. “Steamer Lane in Santa Cruz is definitely a cool place because it’s totally different each time I go,” Jones said.
“The coolest place I’ve surfed is probably Australia, but the best place I’ve surfed is probably on the North Shore Kauai in Hanalei,” Gostyla said.
“I like the Pleasure Point in Santa Cruz because there are sea otters,” Harding said.
Surfing in the Bay Area may not boast the year-round warm climate of tropical destinations, but it still draws local communities. It offers connection to nature, family, culture, and community. Despite the cold water, occasional wildlife encounters, and long drives, M-A surfers return to the ocean time and time again, showing just how powerful surfing’s pull is.
