Hansen: Laguna Beach surfing is a family ride

Some people may think surfing is a solitary sport — one person conquering nature — but the reality is that riding the waves is not just about water. It’s also about the push, energy and support of family, teachers and the community.

The 51st annual Brooks Street Surfing Classic over the weekend was yet another example of locals embracing the lifestyle that has defined them for so many years. It’s like some funny family reunion where everyone celebrates similar idiosyncrasies:

•Permanent indentations from flip-flops.

•More sunspots than regular skin.

•Head-shaking substitutes as a salt shaker.

This kinship is what makes the Laguna Beach surf culture different. You can feel the camaraderie. You can taste the goodness.

“Surfing in Laguna Beach has a certain amount of legitimacy, and the parents are really behind it,” said Bob Booth, father of former pro surfer Jeff Booth, whose son is up-and-coming surfer Travis Booth, 13.

Jeff and Travis both took second overall in their respective divisions. Travis shocked and delighted the audience in a pro-am heat by taking third, besting some adults.

The Booths make up just one of several second-generation surfing families making an impact on the Laguna surf scene. Others include the Lockharts and Madrigals. Bob Booth, who started as a lifeguard in college, marvels at the way the atmosphere has improved over the years.

“There’s a whole group of kids, 8, 9, 10 years old, that look up to the 12- and 13-year-olds, and the 12- and 13-year-olds look up to the teenagers, and it just goes right up,” he said. “There’s a whole posse. These guys literally live with each other in the water — five, six, seven, eight hours. You can’t drag them out.”

In the early days, things were a little rougher and more territorial, Booth said. There wasn’t as much respect. Now it’s more collegial.

“You see no bad sportsmanship. Everyone has been in it together. It’s amazing,” he said. “You have the peer group competition, but they respect each other’s performance. The level of surfing is getting really high.”

In the Brooks Classic, the winner of the pro-am division was Erik Nelsen, who took home $1,000, followed by Jeff Booth and Nate Zoller. In the boys category, the winners were Colton Gregory, Travis Booth and Hayden Rodgers. For the girls, it was Claire Kelly, Cayla Henderson and Grace Wellsfry. For a full listing go to https://www.facebook.com/brooksstreetclassic.

Despite the individual outcomes, a group acknowledgment is obvious when you hang out at these competitions and awards. Unlike sports like Little League and football, there is no cutthroat mentality among surfers. It’s more like, hey, surfing at a high level is hard and often short-lived, so let’s enjoy it.

“At the awards banquet, I’m looking at Jeff with his buddies that I’ve watched grow up, and now these guys are 45 and 50, and they have their own families, and these dads are surfing with their kids just like Jeff. It’s just an amazing thing to watch,” the dad and grandfather said.

If a young surfer makes it to the upper levels, however, there are drawbacks — the challenges of travel, temptations and the effect on schooling. Laguna standout surfer Taylor Pitz made it onto the Billabong girls’ surf team, as well as the prestigious USA Surf Team, but then opted out in favor of college and is now at UCLA.

“There is a lot of exposure to a lot of things that can make you go south, but we were really lucky,” Booth said.

Jeff Booth went pro before he could legally drink and eventually made a good living from surfing. He is now working at footwear maker Sanuk and was formerly at Billabong, combining his surf knowledge with business.

“He was the forerunner to the whole pro-surf thing in Laguna and showed everyone it was possible,” Bob Booth said.

So while it’s still about surfing, it’s also about life and family. There is no real stigma attached to announcing that you want to be a pro surfer. It just takes dedication and passion by all.

“These kids growing up have a wonderful support group,” Booth said. “It’s been an incredible transformation. If you’re a surfer in Laguna Beach nowadays, you’re not looked down upon. These guys are like rock stars.”

DAVID HANSEN is a writer and Laguna Beach resident. He can be reached at davidhansen@yahoo.com.