Catching Waves of Memories

As junior Erica Schroeder sets down her surfboard, shared memories of surfing and her father rush through her mind.

Schroeder comes from a long line of surfers who appreciate and practice the sport, and through her father she surfs as well.

“Me and my dad are really close’” Schroeder said.  “Surfing has definitely brought us together, especially since his father surfed as well.  Surfing definitely bonds people together because you understand each other and the hype around catching a good wave on a good day.”

Through Schroeder’s father she has been welcomed into the surfing community.  

“Surfing has had a huge impact on my life,” Schroeder said.  “When you have people close to you like that it really feels like a family.”

Surfing was popularized by Duke Kahanamoku in the 1900’s in Hawaii and began the modern era of surfing.

“He kind of made surfing and surfboards in general popular,” Schroeder said.  “The community that has formed is great, we just take the surfboard and ride waves with it, I don’t know how else to explain it.”

Schroeder has been surfing since she was 8 years old, but only recently at the age of fourteen has she devoted lots of time and effort into her craft.  Through her countless surfing experiences she has surfed many beaches.

“I’ve surfed in Indonesia before and the water is just so warm and beautiful and when you look down there are all these beautiful creatures under you,” Schroeder said.  “And one of the local beaches I frequent is called San Onofre, it’s very dangerous if you slip but somehow you just stay afloat and it’s really magical.”

Schroeder’s father not only surfs but shapes boards as well.  Schroeder’s father used to work with Infinity, making shaping boards, something that was present in Schroeder’s life in addition to surfing.

“I am constantly around people who work with surfboards, but I do not shape boards with my father,” Schroeder said.  “But I’ve watched him all my life and someday I might shape boards myself.”