By DIANTÉ MARIGNY
editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com
The South Padre Island Surf Team placed in this year’s State Surfing Championship. The competition was held in Corpus Christi last weekend. The team is composed of thirteen competitors, some as young as 7 years old, who come from all over Texas.
Aarin Hartwell, who started the SPI Surf Team in 2024, won 1st place in both the women’s short and longboard competition, winning 1st in overall points, making her a State Champion.
15-year-old Houston area native, Fernando Pena won 2nd place in the Jr. Longboard competition. “TGSA has given me 3 things: friends, experience, and a chance to compete,” Pena said. “I am very thankful to be on the SPI Surf Team. I started this sport young and hope to grow old doing what I love.”
7-year-old Vedo Lavella, from Galveston, won 3rd place in Micro Groms, a division for surfers 7 and under, and 3rd in Menehune Boys, for young surfers. “I think it’s a very good surf team,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to be on a surf team, and everyone is really nice.”
Lavella’s mom, Sarah, said the SPI Surf Team has had a positive impact on her son, both personally and developmentally. “Being part of the team has taught him valuable life skills such as discipline, perseverance, and teamwork,” she said. “Surfing is a challenging sport that requires focus, patience, and consistency. My child has learned how to set goals, work hard to achieve them, and deal with setbacks along the way—important skills that will serve them throughout life.”
9-year-old Kannon Brown out of Surfside Beach, won 4th place in Micro Groms. Brown started surfing in June 2024 with his brother Bennett. He said they fell in love with the sport immediately. The two brothers said Hartwell has taught them so much, from how to properly wax their board to learning to cross-step on a longboard. “But even more than that, she’s shown us what it means to be part of a team that feels more like family. We’re so thankful for the constant support from our coach and our entire surf family. This journey wouldn’t be the same without you all cheering us on and guiding us through every challenge and triumph.”
The entire surf squad won 4th place out of 15 other state teams in the TEAMS division, which is a combination of points from all team members.
This was 7-year-old Laguna Vista native Emma Crist’s first time competing in a state tournament. Her mom, Rachel, said in a heartfelt Facebook post that Emma received her highest scores ever in a heat. “She did not make it to the next round, but it’s not about winning,” the post said. “What Emma accomplished…was winning in our eyes.”
Jacob Burks is a surf instructor who coaches many of these talented young surfers. “My surf career has truly come full swing as God has blessed me with such a unique opportunity to spread the stoke of surfing to next generations in a multi-faceted way,” he said. “I get to experience each new shredder taste the excitement of their very first waves…I get to influence these budding surfers as they advance their skills to a competitive level, and as the TGSA’s Assistant Head Judge, I get to see this very special group of groms perform their best at each contest! My heart is so full of gratitude and stoke!”
The team has had an incredible first year. They give thanks to all their supporters and sponsors, including Aloha Veterinary, Stroud Mediations, Law Offices Christopher P. Hamm, PLLC, SPI Sessions Watersports, SPI EDC, and Stafford Air of Bellaire. Sponsorship opportunities are still open to help with the cost of team gear, division and participation costs, traveling, and training/coaching costs.
For more information on how to become a sponsor, email Aarin Hartwell at spisessions@gmail.com or call (956) 455-5238.
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