This week’s athlete of the week has strong game skills, an outgoing personality and a drive to succeed. Cold weather, waves, and longboards accompany Shant Mazmanian (12) each morning. Mazmanian is part of West High’s Surfing Team and started surfing three years ago.

   Last Wednesday, Mazmanian competed in the Kick-Off Classic, in which South Bay’s high school’s surfing teams gathered at Hermosa Beach to compete against each other. “The competition was very tough. There were shallow and very heavy waves,” Mazmanian expressed. Although he did not qualify for the next round, Mazmanian called it “a very fun day!”

   Mazmanian hasn’t surfed his whole life, but his love for the sport has enabled him to advance rapidly. Surfing Coach Rizzo stated that Mazmaninan “improved dramatically” since he first started coaching him. When asked, “What makes Mazmanian stand out?” Coach Rizzo emphasized “his passion for the sport and to improve his abilities.” You can’t learn how to surf in one day, but Mazmanian’s dedication brought him success in the sport he loves. 

   While surfing may be considered an individual sport, being a part of a team allows surfers to learn and gain confidence from their teammates. Despite his individual successes, Mazmanian values his team and recognizes the importance of it. “He has a great attitude and is always willing to listen to different ideas,” Coach Rizzo added. 

   To other surfers, Mazmanian is not just a teammate, but a friend. Reese Ecklund (9) remarked, “When you’re about to go in he is always like ‘You got this bro’ and always has your back.” Mazmanian’s shining personality makes him a role model. His dedication and constant desire to improve since day one make other younger surfers aspire to be like him. “He surfs with happiness and with passion,” Ecklund said.  “This puts him on higher levels and it’s also a win for the team…we need more people like him on the team.”

   Although this is Mazmanian’s last year of high school, his surfing career is far from over. Mazmanian’s love for surfing will continue to grow after high school. He will never get enough of the waves, sharing that his favorite part of surfing is “the thrill you get when you drop into a big wave.”