SURFING LAGUNA: Groms dream of big things

Driving up to the Torrance Beach surf competition last weekend, the Laguna Grom Squad and I talked about what it would take to become the world champ of surfing — a la a la Kelly Slater or Tom Curren.

Like other sports, surfing has a ladder that leads to the top. Today’s elite surfers come from all different backgrounds and countries, which is noteworthy in a sport that has historically been dominated by Australians, Americans, Hawaiians and South Africans.

England, France, Brazil and Germany are also represented on this year’s World Championship Tour or “Dream Tour” as it is commonly referred to. There are 45 athletes who travel around the globe surfing the most beautiful and dangerous waves imaginable.

“How did they get there?” asked Laguna grom Ryland Thacker. Here is as far as I got explaining it to the crew:

It typically starts at their respective Thalia Street beach. These surfers worked hard to get to their feet, then to stand out at their home breaks. Local competitions (like Laguna’s Brooks Street Classic) give them the opportunity to compete and gain confidence in a competitive environment. Then they expand their horizons to include regional surf events (like Torrance Beach) to see how they stack up.

Competing in different locales against unfamiliar faces stretches them and is an important barometer of their aspirations and drive. Reality often strikes at this juncture of the process for many young surfers. They realize that they can have success at this level and want to work harder to move up through the regional ranks. This is an exciting time to be around these guys as they are realizing what hard work coupled with a dream can equate to. The possibilities abound!

The conversation/lecture with the groms continued until they (unbeknownst to me) were all asleep in the back of the surf van, hopefully dreaming of being world champ one day, but more likely of Skittles, skateboards and who knows what else.

CHRIS WILLIAMS is the father of four surf-crazy sons, a surfing coach and Laguna Beach resident. He can be reached at [email protected] or (949) 497-5918.