Generation Surf

JUPITER, FL – March 3, 2017 –Surfing consists of the same traditional pattern for many: Check the surf report, make sure you’re geared up with your board, an ankle leash, wax for traction, a rash guard – or wetsuit depending on the time of the year – some sunblock, and an attitude brimming with positivity…. But most importantly, to make sure you finished your homework either the night before if you’re going out at dawn or that it is completed shortly after the afternoon, after-school session. That’s right, if you’re a kid and a surfer with strong ties to the lifestyle that riding waves presents, then you should have just a strong a discipline for your academic work, right? Time management can go a long way there. It will also help convince your parents that taking up surfing is a sound motion leading to a healthy habit, regardless if one or both of them are surfers themselves.

With the consideration that surfing carries such important weight here in Jupiter, friends and parents aren’t the only ones that encourage children to develop their natural wave-riding talent. Various local staple entities such as Ocean Magic Surf Shop are known to assemble and sponsor surf teams made up of promising young talent to compete with other teams from around the state and the country. This type of exposure can often result in sponsorship from different surf brands, and the possibility of fueling a career path further and competing at the highest level within their age group.

DAWN PATROL: Justin Shaw rises to a wave’s crest during an early morning surf session.

THE TEAM – AND HOW IT CAME TO BE

Ocean Magic’s surf team is actually a novelty. It had been eight years since they had sponsored a group of young surfers from Jupiter High School. That team had competed in several competitions, included the National Scholastic Surfing Association’s (NSSA) National competition. Upon graduation, the team dissolved and the concept was put on hiatus – until now. Only this time, they’ve opted to bring in Jupiter-based talent from a much younger generation.

“Within the last year or so, we put together a group of very young yet extremely talented surfers,” says Ocean Magic’s owner Don French. “We’ve always been community-minded so we’ve been wanting to put this idea into fruition for a while now – and now that we have, we are stoked about it and the kids are equally as stoked.”

French points out that the catalyst by which Ocean Magic’s surf team materialized was William Kimball of Blue Water School of Surfing, an organization helping young surfers from beginning to intermediate skill level hone their talent. Kimball, a surfer and musician who founded the school and dedicates his time to teaching others how to surf, is known for having an eye for talent and presenting opportunities to kids who want to develop their skills on the board. Ocean Magic presented such an opportunity – and he was able to handpick the team.

“It was a perfect opportunity to get these kids the recognition via sponsorship, and progression through having a team and a shop to work with,” says Kimball. “Through Ocean Magic, these kids can build relationships with other major brands and grow from there.”

Kimball works hand-in-hand with Eric Rumaner of Rumaner Surfboards, who is a sponsor for Ocean Magic’s surf team and provides most of the boards for its team members. To better prepare the team, Kimball centers his tutelage on harnessing the kids’ energy into individual aspects covering the spectrum of surf coaching that, if improved, will lead to an overall advancement in level of skill. These conditions include endurance, trick maneuvering, cross-training tactics, and competition strategy.

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THE SURFERS

And so, the Ocean Magic team began taking shape. Within that group, there are four grom that shine early in their surfing career: Ellie Barimo, Luke and Justin Shaw, and Vance Weyandt. They each compete in different categories within their age groups, but they rip nonetheless. And they are without shortage in their own accolades. Get to know them through their profiles on the next page.

For Ellie, Luke, Justin, and Vance surfing can be a source of happiness – not only is it an activity in which they hope to continue to excel and subsequently advance in competitions, it is also fun. And if being a kid and shredding waves involves showing up some of the older guys, then hey, that’s just what nature intended.

Click HERE to view the surfers' bios.

For more information, please visit www.oceanmagic.com and www.bluewatersurfing.com.