The New Wave S
he caught her first wave at Fourth Beach, at the end of Ash Avenue, only four years ago and has already gained the attention of local surfers and worldwide sponsors. Roxy, Smith sunglasses, etnies shoes, Sex Wax and Rincon Designs have all recognized talent in 16-year-old surfer Rachel Harris. “She has improved as much as anyone, male or female, could in that time,” according to Matt Moore, owner of Rincon Designs. Harris and her family left Woodland Hills and moved to Carpinteria when she was 9. Three years later, she learned to surf through the surf camp offered by the City of Carpinteria, and shortly after, began receiving tips from coach Dave Letinsky. She has stuck with him ever since. “You can go surfing and forget about everything and the problems you have,” she says, and that carefree feeling is what has her hooked. Harris has made Tarpitz and Rincon her usual spots, the latter being her favorite “if it’s good.”
In the short time she’s surfed, Harris has already made it to the NSSA Nationals open women’s semi-finals, which is considered one of the most prestigious amateur contests in the United States. As for where she hopes to go with
her skills, she would like to become a professional surfer. If not, then it’s a fun pastime. “If it doesn’t work out, I wouldn’t be too bummed,” she says. For inspiration, she looks up to surfers Bobby Martinez, who is from Santa Barbara, and Lisa Anderson. Although she is usually one of the few girls in the lineup, Harris says she doesn’t seem to notice most of the time. Joseph “Zippy” Connell, 13, frequently surfs with Harris and says her surfing style is “smooth and laid-back.” “She’s not aggressive,” he explains. “She just kicks it and doesn’t try to get every wave.”She has been known to paddle out when the waves are big, according to Moore, and “really can surf.”
These fellow surfers seem to think she has the ability to reach high levels with the sport. Connell says Harris is going to be “one of the best girl surfers Carp’s ever had,” and Moore thinks “she has potential to get as far as she wants.” Keep an eye out for Harris in the future, not only in the water, but also on the soccer field. Word is, her soccer skills aren’t too shabby either.
—Marian Van Der Kar
82 CARPINTERIAMAGAZINE
DUBOCK
DUBOCK
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