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Dos Pueblos surfers hope to ride talent, team spirit to success

SANTA BARBARA NEWS-PRESS STAFF REPORT dated 1/24/03

When a good swell hits Coal Oil Point it's a given the Dos Pueblos High surf team will be out among the lineup of eager surfers trying to catch the ride of their life.

The difference between this group of Chargers and the rest of the surfers is found not only in their skill level but also in their team spirit.

Last season, the surfing programs really got going at Santa Barbara County schools, and the Dos Pueblos squad made a quick name for itself as the No. 10-ranked team in the state. With increased numbers and added depth to their talent pool, the Chargers are shooting for a top-five finish at this year's State Championships in Oceanside.

Jono Ohlgren and Joel Dallas are in the midst of their second year coaching the team and they couldn't be happier with what the program has already accomplished -- an undefeated season. They are even more excited about the team's potential in the future, and its possible impact on surfing as a team sport in Santa Barbara high schools.

The Chargers countered the loss of standout senior Tyler Anderson with the addition of two talented freshmen: Colin Schildhauer and Daniel Jacobs. They brought many more new faces along with them, filling out the Chargers roster.

"Our numbers increased with kids who are nationally ranked," said Ohlgren, who also coaches football at Dos Pueblos. "The guys (Schildhauer and Jacobs) feed off each other in the water and they raise the bar for everyone. They are a pleasure to coach because they are the type of guys who are friends with everyone."

Schildhauer and Jacobs have both competed for years in amateur contests with much success. They bring an air of seasoned veterans to the team despite their age, but get even more excited about representing their school.

"There's a lot of competition because you want your high school to win," said Schildhauer. "We want to make it to the state championships in Oceanside and hopefully get in the top five."

With that goal in mind, the Chargers are ready to carve against other Intersholastic Surfing Federation schools at Campus Point on Sunday morning at 7 a.m. The newly sanctioned league includes Santa Barbara, San Marcos, Carpinteria, Ojai, Malibu, Palisades, and Villanova. The top two teams from the Central region will advance to the state championships on February 15.

After what Ohlgren and Dallas have seen so far this season, they say the chances of that happening are promising.

"After last year a lot of good kids joined the team," said Dallas. "We're stronger than last year. Tyler really carried our team last year and this year (in their last competition) we had four kids in the final heat from DP."

An influx of girls also came out for the team, despite the demands of participating in other winter sports. Cindy Clause, who also plays soccer for the Chargers, finds the time to surf on the weekends and play soccer during the week.

"Surfing's fun," said Clause. "And it's fun to be with a whole bunch of people doing it, and with the horn blowing you get an adrenaline rush and we're all good friends so we encourage each other at the contests."

The girls group sealed the Chargers' victory at Zuma Beach in Malibu two weeks ago amid nearly dangerous conditions. Linda Rainwater, Lisa Cossart, and twin sisters Deborah and Becca Samson paddled out in waves with over a 10-foot face.

"Without those girls we could not have won, they were extremely brave," said Ohlgren. "They took a beating, but they scored points we needed."

In team surfing girls, boys, and bodyboarding categories are judged separately and then added up for team points. Ohlgren says he is counting on Cody Hemmah to step up in the bodyboarding competition, but concedes that the team needs more depth in that area to match-up with the highly regarded surfing schools from Southern California.

Teams from Orange, San Diego, and Los Angeles counties have been competing at the high school level for over 25 years, and most are sponsored by their school district. Dos Pueblos and other ISF schools (except Palisades) have yet to gain the support of their schools, and participants must use their own insurance to compete.

Ohlgren says the possibility of the surf team receiving full district support is a long ways down the road, but that Dos Pueblos principal Dave Cash is behind the sport. For now the issue is out of their hands and Ohlgren and Dallas are focused on the contest ahead. At practice and in contests there is emphasis on team camaraderie, an aspect not normally seen in an individual sport.

"Practices are competitive," said Ohlgren. "But there is still team cohesion along with an independent sense of spirit."

The combination of focus, friends, and fun has driven the Dos Pueblos surf team to an unprecedented amount of success in only its second year of existence. And with youth on their side the Chargers have a promising future ahead.

Dos Pueblos High School Surf Club

DP now has a competitive surf team. Students have another healthy activity and can compete locally. The administration and teachers from local Middle and High Schools, working with the Interscholastic Surfing Federation (ISF), have formed the Channel League. We are the current league champs-GO CHARGERS! Our team has grown to 35 members and we are 1 and 0 this season.

Our next contest will be on January 12 the location is not yet known (Note: I heard a rumor it was going to be at Topanga Canyon, but let's hope it is someplace closer!). Our last contest of the season is on Saturday, January 25 at our own Campus Point, UCSB, With all the new schools joining our league, many test schedules, and weather conditions to consider, many last minute changes to the contest dates have been necessary. Thank you parents and surfers for your patience and understanding.

The surf team practices each week. Students check in with Mr. Jackson in SZ and arrange to go to "Sands or Campus" when the swell and weather are best. The surf team is in the weight room once or twice a week when it's flat-no surf. Come by each Monday to learn the schedule.

Any questions contact Coach Jon Ohlgren. See ya in the water!

The 2-year-young Dos Pueblos surf team went undefeated, 3-0, last year, and captured the Channel League championship. They fell, however, in the state competitions. With a strong corps of young talent this year, the team is setting its sights on another Channel League title.

This year’s surf meet schedule will take the Chargers from Zuma Beach in Los Angeles to Campus Point off UCSB. All the meets are sanctioned by the Interscholastic Surfing Federation. The top two schools in the Federation at the end of the season will compete for honors in the State Championships. This year the championships will take place Feb. 23 and 24 at Oceanside Harbor.

I attended one of the noon meetings, which take place daily in science teacher James Jackson’s room. The atmosphere was definitely "hang loose." Jackson cued up the hit video Blue Crush and stepped aside while the team conducted "business."

"My goal is to do good at all the competitions and to have fun," said Ryan Nufer, sophomore president of the club and short board specialist.

"Another goal I have for the team is for have everyone to improve. San Marcos has a good team but our freshmen, like Colin (Schildhauer) and Daniel (Jacobs), are pretty good this year."

Rebecca Samson and her twin sister Deborah are freshmen who compete in the women’s longboard division.

"I think surfing is a good challenge," said Rebecca.

"I’ve met a lot of new people and have set challenges for myself," said Deborah.

Cody Hemmah is also a freshman and is the captain of the body board group. He set his goal, saying, "I’m going to try hard to get better at every meet."

"My favorite beach is Campus Point," said the longboard captain, freshman David Chrisman.

Linda Rainwater especially likes the girls’ participation on the team.

"I’m glad we have a lot of girls on the team," she said. "It’s really fun to go to the contests — and to live through it."

"It’s gratifying as a surfer, and it affords a positive experience at school," said Jackson about the club.

Photo Caption: Under the waterfall. The DP surf team takes time out from its noon meeting to fly its colors. Coach James Jackson is standing at far left in back.