Between juggling school work and extracurriculars, three Bulldogs find time to ride the waves outside of school. For some, surfing is a weekend hobby; for others, it’s a way to stay active — but all share a steady appreciation for the ocean and the time it gives them to reset.
Shifa Harsolia
During the COVID-19 pandemic, senior Shifa Harsolia discovered recreational surfing. Harsolia first became interested in surfing after seeing surfers at the beach while boogie boarding with her cousins and began taking lessons soon after. As her interest grew, Harsolia invited friends to surf with her whenever possible.
“I really enjoy sports as a way to be active, which is why I like surfing more than I enjoy going to the gym, because I think it’s helpful for training,” Harsolia said. “It’s more motivating to be active when you’re outside or in nature, or just playing with other people. Ninety percent of surfing is paddling and getting to the right place, so I definitely had to build up my upper body strength.”
Eventually, Harsolia’s passion for surfing led her to co-found the PHS Surf and Snow Club, which intermittently meets up at beaches to surf, alongside her brother as well as fellow senior Kelsie Fan. Harsolia has developed a disciplined approach to both schoolwork and surfing as a result of her hobby.
Although Harsolia doesn’t go surfing as often as she did before, she will attend the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) in the fall and take advantage of the campus’s proximity to local beaches.
Frances Lee
Sophomore Frances Lee was introduced to surfing through a summer camp before seventh grade and fell in love with the sport soon after. She is part of the PHS Surf and Snow Club and typically goes surfing with sophomore Kelcie Fan and Fan’s mother at local beaches to unwind when she has the time.
“I think that progressing toward stronger and bigger waves was hard to adjust to because it can get really tiring when you try to get past and go under all of the waves that crash down on you in the beginning,” Lee said. “But once you catch at least one wave, it’s a really good feeling and in the end, it’s all worth it.”
Lee’s favorite surf spot is Camp Pendleton since it contains “beach breaks,” surfable waves that crash onto a beach. She also enjoys surfing in Waikīkī, Hawaii, as its waves are crystalline and sturdy.
Kelcie Fan
Sophomore Kelcie Fan began surfing during the pandemic after her sisters’ swim coach invited the team to surf.
As a co-founder of the PHS Surf and Snow Club, Fan has forged close bonds with fellow students who surf in their free time. Knowing her limits while surfing has encouraged Fan to become a better surfer and cultivate a positive mental attitude.
“Being in the ocean has taught me that God is in control of the ocean and where it takes you,” Fan said. “When a wave hits you in the face that you wish didn’t, sometimes it wipes you out and sometimes it takes you in another direction. But through the good and the bad, the wipeouts have taught me to get back up for the next wave because there will always be other opportunities to catch a better wave.”
