What is the best and worst thing about being an LA surfer?

The best is we generally have waves and the water is warm in the summer.  The worst is that there can be a lot of crowds on the beaches in the summer, but the water is warm!

 

Short history of the chapter, your history with the chapter?

(Kipp and Feb) Kipp had been involved in ministry teaching a Bible study in the military and when we both went to grad school we didn't have time.  After graduating, I started telling Kipp we needed to learn to surf so we went to Hawaii for awhile and spent some time learning. When we got back we went online and found the CSUS website and heard about a Bethany Hamilton movie showing in Manhattan Beach.

CS had a booth there so we connected with the crew and told them we had just signed up.  Because of that connection we ended up being at the first leadership (info) meeting of the restarting of the chapter.  Rachel, Ronnie and Jon were at the booth.  Summer of 2007.    

(Donald)  I have been with the chapter a little over a year, originally signed up with HB.  Started helping out with Walking on Water and Jon Watschke sent over an email notifying me of the Bible study at Kipp and Feb’s.  I loved the Bible study and really connected with it.   

 

How did you become the chapter director?

(Kipp) Jon fished around the core team and let them know that he wanted to bring someone on as a co-director.  Hesitant at first, because we wanted to be really sure that we would do a really good job and had the time to commit to it.  At the CS campout I (Kipp) was in the water with Jon and let him know that I would want to be a co-director.  Were praying about it individually and God really worked it out. 

(Donald) I was more impetuous about the decision, but the whole process of coming to CS was really God-led.  When Jon told me I knew Kipp was going to be involved.  The team including unofficially Mark Chu was really God brought together.   I love missions and outreach, Kipp is a great discipler and Mark is the "Mayor of El Porto."  He knows everyone and a majority of the chapter that attends comes from a personal connection with Mark!

 

What makes the South Bay unique as a Christian Surfers chapter?

(Donald) The area that we have to draw from, Santa Monica to Long Beach is huge so there is a lot of potential to reach out and many places still to plant individual chapters. 

(Kipp) S. Bay has a unique community to it, there is a lot of love, no strangers, sincere interest and great relationship.  We also have a lot of cultural diversity and a diversity of backgrounds.  We have everything from longboarders, bodyboarders, shortboarders, surfers from Africa, Brazil and even S. Central LA!

 

What motivates you to volunteer as a chapter director?

(Kipp) I love to serve and grew up in youth groups. Church activities and leadership was a means to serve regularly.  I love to interact with people and have found that camping, surf trips and other events give me great time to hang out and really connect with surfers.  (Feb)  Kipp has that natural leadership ability where people gravitate towards him.  And he uses that to serve.  Donald has a quiet spirit about him.

 

Favorite boards? 

(Donald) 9’0 Erie Peeples.  He is a Christian shaper, I got the board for Father’s Day a year ago. 

(Kipp and Feb) 9’4 Rich Harbour singlefin.

A 7’2 hybrid Becker.   We also have a 7’10 egg with triple stringers made of solid wood.  

 

Craziest thing you've seen happen in the chapter?

(Kipp) The Walking on Water movie premiere in El Segundo Auditorium.  The S. Bay chapter had it given it to us for free, all the vendors came in and cooked free hamburgers, sodas and fries for 450 people that showed up.  The whole night stands out because God’s hand was so evidently in it because so few people were involved at the start and it ended up being huge!

(Donald and Kipp) Anything with Mark Chu!

 

Favorite time of year to be a surfer in South Bay?

Fall.  But summer is warm and barebacking is soooo nice! 

 

Final Words?

(Donald)  We have an amazing vehicle to reach people and especially unchurched kids.  We have done a surf camp out of ourr church for the last five years and we share the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ with them.  We are obligated to get out there and share Christ using surfing.

(Kipp) The most impactful thing that you can do to an unbeliever is taking time with them and just listening.  We did a survey about how many people were in the chapter because of Mark Chu.  He is always talking to people and caring about them and listening.  Sincerely caring, seeing what’s on their hearts and just listening.

(Feb) There are a lot of hurting people in the world in the beach communities and it is in your face when you are at the beach.  We need to be filled with Christ and realize that not only are we blessed to enjoy God’s creation but God has given us this gift as a means to share Christ with unreached surfers.  Look around at the creation and the beauty but also see the need and let Christ use you to reach out!  

 

CS South Bay Info:
Co-directors: Kipp and Feb Johnson, Donald Davis

Website:  www.christiansurferssouthbay.org
Email:  kipp@christiansurferssouthbay.org