NSSA SURFER SCHOLARS OF 2010!

Surfing Schechter siblings: Partners in brine

They're bringing home titles for Canyon Crest Academy

BY GLAE THIEN, SPECIAL TO THE UNION-TRIBUNE

SUNDAY, MAY 23, 2010 AT 12:05 A.M.

EDUARDO CONTRERAS / UNION-TRIBUNE

Stephanie and Jason Schechter won individual championships in the season series sponsored by the Interscholastic Surfing Federation.

CARMEL VALLEY — For siblings Jason and Stephanie Schechter, their home away from home is the surf.

That usually means Cardiff Reef Beach, which can be ideal for riding their longboards. Or it could be up the coast to Swami’s, or even around the world to some international spots on family vacations.

The Canyon Crest Academy students, who test the surf almost daily, parlayed their dedication to the sport into individual titles this school year in the season series sponsored by the local Interscholastic Surfing Federation.

Jason, a junior, took the title for boys in the five-event series for Division 3/4 schools. Stephanie, a freshman, did likewise for girls. In their first year as school teammates, they helped the Ravens win a repeat title and stay unbeaten for the past two years.

“We’re both so into the sport and so passionate about it that we feed off each other’s love of the sport,” Jason said. “That gives us extra drive to do well in contests, to surf more often and to surf better.”

The Schechters are truly training partners, taking advantage of independent-study PE to hit the waves in the afternoon on school days.

“Being on the surf team with my brother is great because we are friends, too,” Stephanie said. “We talk all the time and hang out. We watch surf videos, and we surf together when we practice.”

Surfing is a shared experience for the Carmel Valley family.

The children got their start in the sport from their father, Roger, a longtime surfer who often joins them in the water. Their mother, Janet, takes photos of the kids in action and occasionally surfs as well when the water is warm and relatively calm.

Roger Schechter, who grew up surfing in Santa Monica and Malibu, still might be considered an unofficial coach.

“I can always see things that they’re doing that can probably be improved, and I’m able to comment on it,” said Roger, a physician and wound-care specialist for Palomar Pomerado Health. “But I have to tread lightly because they really are better than me.”

Roger Schechter started each child surfing at about age 5 with gradual steps, leading to each standing on the board and riding to the beach. Now Jason has been giving surf lessons to youths at summer camps.

“When I started, I got more used to what to do after a year,” Jason said. “That’s when I started to fall in love with surfing.”

Jason began competition at Carmel Valley Middle School, followed by Stephanie. The two have enlarged their surfing circles as members of the all-ages Swami’s Club.

In addition to their high school titles, Jason finished second and Stephanie fifth in the same coed category this year in the regional youth standings for the National Scholastic Surfing Association.

“When I’m out surfing in competition, I’m thinking about the competition and my strategies,” Stephanie said. “But also what’s always on my mind is having fun because that’s the most important thing. If you’re not having fun, you’re not going to do well.”