The CU Surf Club started the semester strong with back-to-back events. It brought students closer together on land and in the water. Between catching waves at Doheny Beach and grabbing coffee before surfing sessions, the club created space for community and fun. 

The first event at Doheny on Sept. 5 drew in a large crowd. “The first event had a lot more people, but the second event was more personal,” said Mikel Villarreal, an Engineering student. “The first event had more energy…about 70 people came out.” 

Board and staff members, along with Kryssa Mattson, the club advisor, arrived early to set up tents and surfboards. “We met up and Doheny set up, had everyone gather around, and explained the fundamentals of surfing,” said Kaulana Lana’i, an Engineering student. “Then we did a head count… we had people playing pickleball, and we sent out a group of people [about 15 at a time] in the water for 30 minutes. Over time, we could feel out the people who wanted to surf and let them go.”

For many, this was their first time on a surfboard, and the CU Surf club presidents stepped up to help. “I was happy to see people learn how to surf and find a new passion for something, and just seeing the community we were creating … it felt like peace,” Lana’i said. 

The second event, held on Sept. 20, had a calmer vibe. The club first met at Bear Coast Coffee at 7:30 a.m., where the first 20 people received free coffee, before heading out to the beach. “We were there for half an hour [Bear Coast Coffee], then went down to the beach, and had people go in groups of 15 again. There were two groups of about 15,” Villareal said

Kaulana added, “The second event was a little calmer. There were less people, but we still had a good time. We got a chance to get deeper with the people who came to the first event.”

While the smaller group made the event more personable, both presidents agreed it was still a success. “Yeah, we met tons of new people at both events,” Villareal said. 

“I feel like it was organized enough that we knew what we were doing, and it was well organized enough that people could enjoy it,” Villareal commented about the second event.

Both students felt that Doheny was the ideal location for beginner surfers. “I would say it’s a good spot for beginners – it’s a reef break, so the waves are super consistent,” Villareal said. Lana’i added, “It’s a reef break, so the waves are a lot calmer and predictable, unlike a beach with a beach break, which can be much more unpredictable. It’s also a good beginner spot.” 

Lana’i summarized the experiences simply, “I was happy to see people learn how to surf and find a new passion for something I love.”

Tags: clubs, Clubs and Organizations

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