Dawn Patrol:

One thing you quickly realize when you meet Blake Davis is that he doesn’t like talking about himself much. That’s because he’s a genuinely modest guy.

It’s also because he’s pretty busy accomplishing things — winning surfing contests, for example. Blake recently won the Western Surf Assn. 16-and-Under Championships held at “Church”, south of San Clemente. No small feat by any means, but for a goofy-footer at a right-hand break, winning going backside is pretty impressive.

The victory earned Blake another trophy for the WSA Series Championship, determined by the most points scored during the 10-contest 2008-2009 season. The WSA, established in 1961, is the oldest amateur surfing association in the world and is the gateway for the U.S. National and Olympic teams.

Blake also competes on the Newport Harbor High surf team. Only a freshman, Coach Scott Morlan has already identified Blake as a “clutch guy”.

I caught up with Blake and his father, Lyle, at their Newport home and we talked about surfing:

Question: How old were you when you first started surfing, and what got you started? Answer: When my dad pushed me into my first wave at Blackie’s. I think I was 7.

Q: What to you consider your home break? A: 54th St. (Newport).

Q: How much do you get to surf each week? A: Every other day in the morning for team practice, and almost every day after school — and then the weekends.

Q: Where’s the farthest you’ve been surfing? A: Morro Bay for contests. My dad’s taken me on trips to Tavarua (Fiji), Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Mexico.

Q: What’s your favorite of all the spots you’ve surfed? A: Cloud Break, Tavarua.

Q: Who makes your boards? A: Cordell.

Q: What plans or goals do you have for your surfing? A: I’ll probably be a free surfer — I want to go to college. I’d like to surf in the WSA Prime division, maybe next year.

Q: What other activities do you like? A: Skateboarding a little, but mostly surfing. I played lacrosse this year, but it kept me out of the water. I want to try pole vaulting next year, though.

Q: When’s your next contest? A: The Rip Curl, June 6 at Huntington.

Q: Who are your most inspirational surfers? A: Kelly Slater, and my dad.

I noticed a third WSA award next to his championship, and series trophies — The “Midget Smith Memorial Sportsmanship Award.” Blake politely declined to comment on the trophy, but Coach Morlan had already told me the story: “He was in the middle of a heat during a Pismo Beach contest and he noticed a girl, tangled up in her leash, being swept under the pier. He paddled out of the contest area, untangled the girl, helped her to the beach and made sure she was OK. Then he ran back into the water and still managed to win his heat! But Blake will never tell you that.”

JOHN BURTON’S surf column appears Fridays.