Editor’s Note: Source Olivia Roberts is The Point’s features editor. She did not edit this article.
Whether you are a new student at Point Loma Nazarene University or have been for years, Sunset Cliffs is an iconic formation of rolling cliffs with panoramic ocean views. It’s a piece of the campus that roots the community in surf culture. Step outside your classroom at almost any hour of the day, look out to the ocean, and you will likely see someone catching waves.
Surfing at PLNU goes beyond just the sport. It is fundamental to how many students find balance, connect with their friends and escape the noise of everyday life. Surfing is a unique experience that allows you to steady your mind, challenge your body and immerse yourself in the rhythm of the ocean.
The roots of surfing culture extend beyond the campus and into San Diego. Local innovations have shaped the sport across the globe, including neoprene wetsuits pioneered by Hugh Bradner at Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
Learning to surf is not as effortless as it looks. Between the waves, gear, lingo and lineup etiquette, it can be a lot to take in. The characteristics of surfing can teach patience, persistence, connection with nature and connection with others. These ideals are reflected in the same values throughout the PLNU community.
Olivia Roberts, a fourth-year journalism major who is on PLNU’s Surf Team, knows this well.
“Surfing is very unique, and each wave or situation is different. You have to be very patient,” Roberts said. “My main advice is to go as frequently as you can — multiple days in a row. Be super consistent and remember why you love it.”
Roberts recalled her own surf beginnings.
“I hated surfing at first,” Roberts said. “I once snaked someone, totally got in their way, and they screamed at me. Afterwards, I was like, ‘I’m never going out again.’ But my sister, who was already into the surf scene here, encouraged me to stick with it. She took me out every day.”
Roberts said that while other campuses boast robust football teams or host indoor events, PLNU’s culture is tied to the ocean.
“I think surfing attracts a lot of people to the school,” Roberts said. “Many come with the mindset that if they don’t surf already, they’re going to learn. We’re in this bubble right on the water. After class, you head to the beach and see your friends — that’s how students connect here.”
For many surfers at PLNU, it’s a place of connection and community. Roberts said that joining the surf team in her first year and traveling to Santa Cruz was one of her favorite experiences at PLNU, and that the trip bonded her and her friends. Her experience emphasizes the part of surfing that goes far beyond the sport and highlights the deep connections surfing can create.
Ben Cater, who teaches HIS 3035: History of Surfing and Surf Culture at PLNU, reflected this sentiment, pointing out the influence of surfing beyond those who paddle out.
“Even if you don’t surf, you pick up a surf vibe — how people dress, talk, carry themselves,” Cater said. “The influence of surfing on campus culture goes way beyond the actual number of surfers.”
Cater has been surfing Sunset Cliffs for the last 28 years, starting when he was a student at PLNU. Beyond his academic course, Cater furthers the connection between academia, surfing and the community when emphasizing the importance of etiquette in the water.
“Be low-key. Don’t call attention to yourself in the water. Respect the locals and the lineup. It’s about listening and observing — being a good student in the water,” Cater said.
Learning anything is a journey; surfing is the same. Learning to surf can challenge you, connect you with friends and the ocean.
Tips for new surfers
- Start with a bigger, more stable board
- Practice riding whitewater waves lying down before trying to stand.
- Begin at more forgiving breaks like Ocean Beach or Shores — maybe not Sunset Cliffs.
- Respect the lineup — don’t paddle directly into the peak if you’re new
PLNU surfers are known for their presence at Sunset Cliffs. Wesley Goodson, a 31-year-old software salesman and certified local San Diego regulator who avidly surfs the cliffs, weighed in on their presence.
“I have surfed with plenty of the Point Loma students over the years,” Goodson said. “They are normally nice, some shred and occasionally there’s a few wavestorm warriors out there.”
Before attending PLNU, I had never seriously attempted surfing. I have always been very comfortable in the ocean through scuba diving and spear fishing, but never surfing. When I first attempted to surf, it seemed like an overwhelming amount of information. Many people had different advice, but I found the best results came from consistently surfing. Over time, you find your rhythm. But if I have realized anything, it is that surfing requires a special kind of persistence, determination and skill to be great at it.
