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Long right points, Channel Islands surfboards, Tom Curren and newest sometime home of Kelly Slater are just a few of the things that come to mind when thinking of Santa Barbara. But it also gave rise to the entire Christian Surfers movement back in 1984 when Jerry Dow started the first chapter there. The current incarnation was restarted by Dennis Leon in 2002 and taken on by Matt Coleman in 2005. Matt was a grom in the original chapter and has a passion to see surfing kids discipled and raised up to be leaders in the surfing community. CSUS recently sat down with Matt to pick his brain regarding the chapter and a variety of topics.
History, a lot of top surfers have come out of the Santa Barbara area that were involved with the chapter. What makes it unique is that Tom Curren made the mold, kind of doing his own thing, keeping it low key, not seeking the limelight but the surf world knew.
Picking out kids that have potential and cultivating that. We've been really focused on discipling and grooming them as current and future leaders in the surf community in Santa Barbara.
On a trip to Costa Rica when I was 16 my friend spilled gas on the floor of the place we were staying and lit it! The bedsheets were catching on fire as we tried to smother it.
The Jalama campout. The kids love it, kind of like Santa Barbara's Baja, always has waves up there. (This year we had an open meeting in the campground on Saturday night with a full sermon being preached under a CS tent, awesome!)
I see myself in the kids at that age, needing leadership and a role model to look up to and someone that kids can trust. Having someone that is consistently for them helps in character building and is an example of God's consistency in our own lives. CS through Jesus was that for me and I'm passing it on!
Favorite chapter surf spot, local water temps and personal favorite board?
The most consistent is the Lane or the Pit, really close to where the chapter meets. Favorite board would have to be my Channel Islands 5'8 M13, ridden it in 8'-10' Jalama, Costa Rica and the Pit. Water temps here range from about 54-68 degrees.
We're really excited about teaming up with other chapters here in California as well as growing more as a community in our leadership team through prayer.
Blog/Website: christiansurferssb.blogspot.com/
Matt's Email: mateocoleman@gmail.com