Surf has National Title Aspirations in ’23

By Brandon Petersen

Heading into the 2021-22 season, Westcliff Surf head coach Kyle Rouse and assistant coach Chelsea Ehlan weren't quite sure what to expect. 

It was Westcliff's first full season of NSSA competition, the team was full of fresh faces and the road was wide open, come what may. 

Turns out the Warriors would end their journey the No. 5 team in America. 

"We knew we had a talented group of surfers," Ehlan said. "But I don't think we knew what to expect. It was an exploratory season. Each contest had its challenges and successes. We had a few people make the final throughout the season — each contest brought out more and more success with our athletes.

"We knew we were on a great path, and we wound up qualifying for state and nationals."

Westcliff has six surfers returning from that squad in 2022-23: Jack Hopkins, Cole Futak, Bryce Mattox, Jake Shiroke, Ninon Mattei and Robbie Crist. 

"We would not be anywhere without that core group," Ehlan said. "They set us up last year to be in a highly-ranked position. Their leadership has definitely set the tone for our newcomers."

Westcliff's incoming class of surfers is an impressive mix of domestic and international talent.

Jordy Collins, out of Carlsbad, joins the Warriors after having recently completing his two-year Mormon mission. 

Before he left on that mission, Collins was the No. 11 ranked pro surfer in America and the No. 115 ranked surfer on the World Surf League Qualifying Series.

"He made the difficult decision to fulfill a higher calling in his faith," Ehlan said. "Jordy spent two years serving the people of Independence, Missouri, teaching them about Jesus Christ."

After returning home, Collins and his brother started the surf team at BYU.

But after hooking up with Westcliff on the NSSA tour, Collins and his family decided to head west.

"Westcliff presented the perfect opportunity for Jordy to live out everything he wants to do," Ehlan said. 

Collins has already come up big for the Warriors.

After his two year hiatus, Collins returned to the ocean and captured the win for male shortboard in Westcliff's first contest this season.

"He is definitely one to watch," Ehlan said. 

But Collins is not the only incoming star. 

Lucas Taub, a shortboarder out of Dana Point, joins the Warriors by way of Saddleback College.

"Lucas is an incredible leader," Ehlan said. "He's an experienced contest surfer who we watched and cheered on all last season as a competitor, knowing he would become a huge asset for our team."

The Warriors will count on Taub to bring in a good amount of points on the circuit this year.

Sofia Freyre is a shortboarder out of Newport Beach. The Newport Harbor grad may be just a freshman, but she is also a very experienced NSSA contest surfer.

"She is going to help put our women's team on the map," Ehlan said. "She already placed sixth overall in our first competition."

On the longboard, Kylan Crapenhoft joins the Warriors out of Long Beach. 

Ehlan says he brings a competitive fire, and "steez" the Warriors' longboard game. 

Well-rounded in both the short and longboard, Crapenhoft is an incredible addition to the squad.

"After taking a break after high school to pursue his education, Kylan is happy to combine his two goals of continuing his surfing career while working toward his degree," Ehlan said. 

Luke Guinaldo is another freshman, and a phenomenal surfer from Huntington Beach.

A Huntington Beach High grad, Guinaldo is on the U.S. Jr. National Team and stays busy by competing at a very high level. 

"We are excited to watch him thrive," Ehlan said. "He will be another heavy hitter during our NSSA contests."

The Warriors also welcome three Europeans to the team this year.

Eduardo Galindo and Rodrigo Chavez are powerhouse shortboarders out of Portugal.

Having surfed together since they were young, both bring a unique individual style as well as a shared desire to compete at the highest levels. 

"These guys are here to make a statement," Ehlan said. "They represent what it means to sacrifice leaving family and friends to pursue their dreams of surfing while getting an education."

Then there is Silke Martinez, a shortboarder from Spain. 

Martinez has already taken second overall in Westcliff's first outing.

"She basically stepped off the plane from Spain, into the van to San Diego, and killed it," Ehlan said. "She is another very experienced competitive surfer looking to fulfill her surfing and educational dreams."

It's a theme around Westcliff Surf, the first college program in the world to offer surfing scholarships.

And while all of the surfers are dedicated to the classroom, this season the competitive expectations have reached a new level. 

The Warriors believe they have a chance at securing a national championship.

"We have a lot of work to get there," Ehlan said. "But we know we have the talent and heart to do so."

Westcliff now has enough athletes to field two full teams, and they will strategize, moving athletes around to put the team in position to score the most points every time out. 

"After placing second overall at our first contest this season in San Diego, there is even more we can do to place surfers in the proper spots," Ehlan said. "That will put us in position to earn more and more points, and for the team to end up in that No. 1 position."

Rouse and Ehlan plan on coaching to what the NSSA judges are looking for in competition, which should also help to produce higher scores, and better finishes.

The Warriors will travel to Santa Cruz and NorCal's famous Steamer Lane on Dec. 10 and 11.

"We're incredibly excited to surf that iconic point break," Ehlan said. "We are packing our cold water gear."

The Warriors' first home contest with be Jan. 28 and 29 at Huntington Beach.

"We hope to get a big crowd to come out and cheer us on," Ehlan said.

With the type of team Rouse and Ehlan have built, it shouldn't be hard to entice Warriors fans to the beach in late January.

Said Ehlan: "At the end of the day, we really believe we have a shot at the national title."