Mr. Irrelevant attempts to surf in Newport Beach

After a week of overcast weather, the heavens opened up on Friday morning. Just in time for Gerald Christian, this year’s Mr. Irrelevant, to hit the waves at Newport Beach.

As part of Irrelevant Week, Christian, Mr. Irrelevant XL, was invited to take a surfing lesson at 30th street. Mr. Irrelevant arrived at 9 a.m. with the rest of his family, all sporting big smiles.

Before entering the water Christian was presented with a nine-foot surfboard as a gift.

The board was created by surfboard shaper Wayne Smith and was sponsored by Corona del Mar Properties. It was custom made for Christian, featuring an Arizona Cardinals emblem (the NFL team that drafted him), Christian’s name, and No. 256, which represents his being the dead-last pick of the NFL Draft. When Christian saw the board he went straight for it, admiring it and posing for numerous photographs with his new board.

Christian wasn’t the only person taking a surfing lesson Friday though. Two former Mr. Irrelevants, Tim Toone (2010) and Ryan Hoag (2003), joined in the fun. Hoag spoke to the “brotherhood” that all former Mr. Irrelevants feel with one another.

“There is 40 of us in the world,” Hoag said. “And if you’re one of 40 of anything, that’s a pretty special thing. They always talk about the shield in the NFL being a fraternity and Mr. Irrelevant is just a microcosm of that. It’s a smaller and more special version of that to me. So it’s absolutely a brotherhood. So I got these guys’ backs and I am cheering them on.”

Being a former participant of Irrelevant Week, Hoag had a few words to the wise about surfing before entering the water.

“It is difficult,” he said. “I once rented a surfboard on my own and it was a disaster. There is going to be a lot of tired arms and legs and ready for a nap afterward.”

With the meet-and-greet over, the three Mr. Irrelevants made their way into the water.

Although the weather was perfect, the waves were less than ideal, ranging from just one to two feet. Regardless, Christian was ready on his first wave. He listened to the “pre-game” talk from his surf coach, Jeff Cyr, and lined up his surfboard, waiting for the right wave.

When it came, Christian was ready. He paddled with all his might, but when it came to stand, the board slipped out from under him.

“Surfing is difficult,” Christian said. “This was my first time surfing. I really had just heard that it was hard and really I just wanted to do the best that I could. I really didn’t know what to expect. I just wanted to stand up. But really, I just wanted to try it and see what I could do. Just being out there on the board. Just getting used to being on the board and the water pushing me from side to side that was just something new, the balance part. But I had fun.”

Christian was unable to stand up on his board during his hour-long surfing lesson. However, Cyr made it clear that it never comes easily.

“Professional athletes like Gerald have a willingness to listen so they typically are quicker learners,” Cyr said. “But it is very hard. He is coming out here for an hour and that’s very difficult. Gerald did great for a first-timer. I was telling him to stay stable on the board, relax, and then get up, and he followed it.”

Even though Christian was unable to get up on his board, he had the pleasure of seeing his girlfriend’s young daughter, Chloe, stand up on a board in the shallows.

“It was nice to see her out there,” Christian said. “She has enjoyed herself this week.”

On Wednesday, Chloe spent her first day at Disneyland. She said her favorite ride was Space Mountain, demonstrating an affinity for adventure and a fearlessness mirrored in one of her role models, Christian.

While Irrelevant Week nears its close, it has become evident that everyone realizes how special Christian is.

“Gerald is a good dude,” Hoag said. “We spent a lot of time [Thursday] night together. He’s genuine. He seems like a nice, family-oriented person. He gets it. He is just one of those guys that gets it and you cannot say that about everyone. He understands how special this opportunity is and there isn’t a lot of people that get a whole week in their honor and he is embracing it and loving every minute.”

Christian was honored during the All-Star Lowsman Trophy Banquet at the Balboa Bay Resort in Newport Beach Friday night.

He was interviewed by FOX Sports Thursday, when he also took a ride in the Goodyear Blimp. He also was a featured guest/sailor during a Beer-Can Regatta with Balboa Yacht Club and was a guest bartender at the Wild Goose Thursday night.