LOS ALAMITOS, CA – Surfing is a staple of California culture, people come from all over the world to surf waves at the countless beaches California has to offer. So it’s no surprise that Los Alamitos High School has a surf team. 

The surf team at Los Alamitos has been Sunset league champions for five years in a row. With approximately 60 students in the class and 32 on the competition team, they have become an unstoppable force in the water during competitions. They compete against local schools such as Wilson, Millikan, Corona Del Mar, Orange Lutheran, Ocean Side, and Mater Dei. 

“We host half of the contests in our league at tower 19.5 at Bolsa Chica Beach,” Mr. Smith, the Surf Coach, explains. 

“Surfers must be dedicated, committed, and follow the surf code of etiquette daily,” Caoch Smith said. “Coach Norcross and I watch them like a hawk, critiquing their aggressiveness, style, and shralping! We decide who will be competing based on the surf conditions, their talent, and competitiveness.” Coach Smith also emphasized the importance of discipline and rules in surfing. 

“Being dedicated, committed, and following the surf code of etiquette daily!” is how you join the surf team. The Los Alamitos Surf, led by team captains Hamilton Zahn, Thomas Hess, Liam Johnson, and Tuesday Del Monico.

Surf practice is early in the morning at Bolsa Chica; it begins early in the morning and ends before most of the locals show up. 

“Practice is at 6:15. The idea is that you get there at six, put on the wetsuit, and hop in if the waves are good,” a surfer on the team said. 

“We practice from 6:00 AM until 7:15 PM. The wind conditions are usually best in the mornings and we need to shower and eat before 2nd period” Mr. Smith 

“Every morning fall, winter, and spring: be at the beach, get in the water, learn from one another, look out for each other, and if Coach is in the water… PARTY WAVE!!!” added Mr. Smith.