In Corpus Christi, surfing isn’t viewed as a sport, it’s seen as a way of life. A few learned only a couple of years ago, while others were born into the rush of riding a great wave.

“I’ve been surfing my whole life… one year here and four years in Mexico,” sophomore James Thompson said.

Surfers motivate and relax each other. They are like a band of brothers, teaching, helping and teasing, especially around contests. They help to take the pressure off of pre-heat anxiety by just messing around.

“We do rain dances [before heats],” Thompson said.

Surfers teach their friends how to surf, and in turn, they become closer to each other.

“Shane Wiggans got us and a bunch of friends [started],” senior Stephen Reader said.

Some people were not ‘taught,’ they have just been around surfing for so long that they have grown up doing it.

“My dad’s a surfer, so I was just born into it,” Thompson said.

Other surfers catch the surfing addiction and are spellbound by the excitement of catching a wave.

“Some friends of my family took me out and I was hooked,” senior Cody Viar said.

On September 25, surfers from all over Corpus came together at Bob Hall Pier for the annual Volcom “Bushfish” surf contest.

In the juniors, Tegan Gainan placed first, Austin Caldwell second, Tyler Gostkowski third, Shane Wiggans placed fourth, Forrest Scroggs fifth, and Corbian Bass sixth.

In the groms (younger surfers) division, Justin Thompson placed first, Brandon Thomas second, Thomas Ellwood third, fourth went to Trey Camp, Daniel Norton placed fifth, and Logan Nortan took sixth.

For the girls, Nicole Dodson placed first, Danielle Dodson second, Lily Kumpe third, and Abbie Daigle came in fourth.

“It was cool [to be second to my sister]. She’s really good, so it’s fun to see who can beat each other,” sophomore Danielle Dodson said.

Surfing competitively against friends is difficult for many surfers. They are so close physically and mentally that they don’t want to surf against their friends.

“It’s harder to [surf competitively] because you’re against your friends and they all have close talents compared to you,” sophomore Tagen Gainan said.

Most surfers agree that free surfing is more enjoyable compared to competitions.

“When you go out for fun you can do what you want and try new things and in a contest you have to surf to the best of your ability and try not to fall,” Viar said.

When it comes to free surfing, it is seen not just as a time to mess around, but as a spiritual time between the surfer and the water.

“Free surfing relaxes the body and the mind,” Reader said.

Even surfers with great experience and talent look up to other surfers for their style and techniques.

“I look up to Rob Machado more for his attitude. He’s just out there to have fun,” senior Jarrett Frazier said.

Surfing in Corpus Christi is a passion, and competitions spark the desire to go out again and again.