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Surfing isn’t just child’s play to 11-year-old Neptune Surf Classic champion Emery Bryan
Credit: VB Surfers/George Hernandez

Surfing isn’t just child’s play to 11-year-old Neptune Surf Classic champion Emery Bryan

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Participating in sports or athletic endeavors in our youth can offer incredibly valuable life lessons early in life. Group sports teach the importance of sportsmanship and teamwork. However, even individualized sports encourage the development of healthy competition, resilience and perseverance.

For example, while surfing is an individual sport, surfers compete against each other, are often part of a surf team and may even have paid sponsors that hold them accountable. Virginia Beach surfer Emery Bryan, 11 years old, has gleaned a great deal from being a team rider for 17th Street Surf Shop.

Credit: Kevin Hedgecock

“I know I must represent my sponsorships well and be a good example and a good sport while I am free surfing or surfing in a competition,” he said.

Bryan is in 5th grade at W.T. Cooke Elementary School. Along with the 17th Street Surf Shop team he also represents the Stay Covered Surf Gear team of Oceanside, California. Bryan is relatively new to the sport with only about a year and a half on his surfboard. Staying balanced and navigating terrain on a board, however, is an act he is very familiar with and even in his blood.

Bryan’s uncle, Sergie Ventura, is a retired professional skateboarder. Bryan is also a talented skateboarder and, in addition, enjoys wakeboarding and snowboarding. His uncle has been a good mentor for Bryan.

“He told me, when I get nervous, to breathe in through my nose and out my mouth to calm my nerves,” said Bryan. “And, he said to always stretch before I surf to keep my muscles loose and avoid injury.” Bryan’s pre-surf ritual includes this recommended stretching and a free surf to warm up. “Then I focus on the waves and how they are breaking until my heat starts,” he said.

Courtesy: Emery Bryan

Although Bryan is a polite and kind kid, he is learning to compete and claim his moments in the spotlight. He recalled, “Once, I didn’t paddle hard enough and let someone else take the wave. Now, I paddle hard so I can catch the wave and not let it go by for someone else to ride.” His charming, funny nature helps him to keep the competition friendly. He enjoys meeting new people and learning new tricks to help him progress in his craft.

Indeed, Bryan has progressed quickly in his short surfing career. In the latest Eastern Surf Association Neptune Surf Classic competition at 1st Street in Virginia Beach, he won first place in his age range category. Bryan is serious about surfing, but his age gives him an advantage mentally and spiritually over older surfers who may feel more pressure. His motto is, “Never forget to have fun while you are surfing. That’s what it’s all about.”

This is an unedited user writing submission. The views, information, or opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Best Version Media or its employees.