Santa Barbara is a surfer’s paradise, and that identity is embraced by the in-class and after-school curriculum offered at Santa Barbara High School. Walk down the main hall to find a Surf History Hall of Fame, featuring grads like renowned board shaper Jon Pyzel (my brother!) and such pros as Cole Robbins and Tom Curren. Down in woodshop, students are taught to cut foam into rideable shapes with computer programming, and then perfect the angles with hand planes and rulers.
The SBHS Surf Team was started about 20 years ago by teacher Mike Fair and is now coached by JP Garcia and Isao "Tonma" Tomatsuri, with chemistry teacher Stephanie Rivera as advisor. All grades and abilities are welcome, and members can be spotted around campus rocking their student-designed hoodies. This year’s team featured 37 surfers, according to team mom Linn Zukor, which was enough to make three teams, meaning all abilities got a chance to shine.
“It brings students together that love surfing,” said Zukor of the club. “They get to be out in nature, connecting with the ocean, and surfing with their friends. Surfing is typically an individual sport, but they get to compete as a team, support each other, and show pride in their school.”