Make way for the youth

When 14-year-old Malia Manuel (who turns 15 next week) out-dueled 17-year-old Coco Ho at the U.S. Open of Surfing championship this year did it signal a youth movement or was it a fluke?

Local surfers seem to think it’s a trend. The reasons for it vary, but one surfer pointed to enthusiastic parents.

“I saw this 4-year-old kid and his dad was pushing him out in the waves,” said Christian Taylor, 17, of Huntington Beach.

“Younger kids are starting to come along in the sport and there’s a lot of talent out there,” said Jason Brown, a 19-year-old surfer from Long Beach. “The kids are seeing all the pros and they are learning what they do. That’s how young kids can know how to win contests.”

Some believe there are just more kids trying out the sport in recent times.

“I think there’s a lot of younger people surfing now then there were before,” said 14-year-old Luke Stirtz from Dana Point.

It’s possible that surfing has been popularized by movies like “Blue Crush,” or by big-name surfers.

“The kids now are surfing at a higher level than they were years ago,” said 28-year-old Andy Miner of Huntington Beach. “They are starting younger and surfing has come up from the likes of Kelly Slater and Taj Burrow. The kids are soaking that up and it doesn’t hurt either that they’re super flexible.”

Still other local surfers argue that parents’ involvement may have something to do with the recent outbreak of young surf followers.

“Lots of kids are blowing up now,” said Drew Poff, 18, of Huntington Beach. “Maybe it’s because their parents are pushing them more.”

Many agree that kids are just starting earlier and succeeding because they are learning quicker.

“You see 6-year-olds out there surfing better than 35-year-olds,” said Nathaniel Huerta, 32, of Huntington Beach. “I’m not surprised the younger kids are winning. All sports are starting younger and younger.”

“The youth is getting better a lot faster, but they’re starting younger,” said Mathew Wuhas, 26, from Huntington. “Young kids are having bigger sponsors and they’re traveling around the world. These kids will grow up, though, so you’ll see other generations being the same way.”

“It seems the younger kids learn faster,” Brown said.

Not everyone buys into the notion that the kids have the upper hand.

“The kids are OK, but it will take them 30 years to catch up,” said Corwin Reno, a 56-year-old surfer from Huntington Beach. “It becomes second nature to the older guys. It’s like getting up and putting on your shoes in the morning while still being half asleep. It becomes natural.”

Others agree that experience rules.

“Older guys know everything about the waves,” Taylor said. “They know where to be, what to do. They have more experience.”

“It’s probably easier for older people because they’ve been surfing longer,” Stirtz said. “I was surprised someone that young won.”

Surfing in Huntington is easier than most prime surfing spots around the world, according to Miner, so while the kids might find it easier to win a championship locally it’ll be harder elsewhere.

“The kids have more of an advantage with beach breaks like Huntington,” Miner said. “They will need more experience when they face places like Pipe or Teahupoo.”

New technology and schools are also helping groms get an early start.

If you consider all the videos and DVDs, there is a lot more exposure,” Huerta said. “There are surf coaches, surf schools. None of that existed before. It’s going to allow the younger kids to excel.”

“Younger kids are winning competitions because they’re doing a whole lot more radical maneuvers than older guys who keep it more contemporary,” Taylor said.

Whatever the reasons, local surfers think the trend will continue.

“We will see the next generations winning competitions,” said surfer Tyler Goodman, 18.