Surfing, in theory, is a juxtaposition. A dangerous sport that can give a rider total relaxation. Riding along waves powerful enough to engulf a human body under the water and cause serious injury is how the rider comes to feel complete bliss.
“Surfing is just peaceful. Getting on a wave is a great feeling,” surf club coordinator Stephen Baesemann said. “Getting out on the water you’re past from society. The waves come to you, there’s not an active search. It’s extremely relaxing.”
Club surfing is unique for the reason that the participants get to choose whether they compete. Though there are some club surfers who do choose to compete, most do not. There is no practice schedule or required attendance, it is what the rider chooses.
“Surf club is a community of surfers,” fellow coordinator Amber Provost said. “There’s not much I can provide for them (as a coordinator). There are rules that don’t allow me to give them gas money so it is more of a mean to find other surfers.”
Though Oregon riders don’t have the same opportunity to participate at an Oregon facility that a more common university club sport would, like baseball or lacrosse, they have an even more expansive playing ground: the Pacific Ocean.
“The natural world is our gym,” Provost said.
Being a part of the club surfing team doesn’t only give you that ability to be a competitive rider, but it also supports the lifestyle of being a surfer.
“It depends on who you ask. I wouldn’t say I know very many that would ever say it’s a sport. I definitely think it’s a lifestyle before it is ever a sport. But it can definitely be only a sport,” Provost said.
Both Provost and Baesemann describe the surfing lifestyle as “simple.”
“It’s the purity of being simply on a board. It’s all simple. You just get to be out and feel the waves,” Provost said.
Surfing is a pure sport in nature. Human vs. the ocean. In reality, surfing is a physical battle against constantly changing conditions.
“The ocean is a powerful beast. It’s going to toss you around. If you fall on a wave it’s going to take you on a run. If you try and fight it you’re going to be worse off,” Baesemann said.
In spite of how powerful the “beast” can be, the surf club always welcomes inexperienced riders. Baesemann determines that it’s “about 50-50” in new members having surfing experience or not.
“The (surf) club helps people discover the sport and learn,” Baesemann said.
Whether a rider chooses to join the surf club to compete or not, to try something new or expand on his or her ability or perhaps just to be a part of a really relaxed community, it really doesn’t matter. The surf club welcomes anyone, the goal is just to have a good ride.
Follow Andrew Bantly on Twitter @abant3