Surf instructor rides waves worldwide
Imagine a profession that allows you to travel to the most exotic of locations. What if you were being paid to do what many others save all year for? This is the life of professional surfer and instructor here at Saddleback College, Lindsay Steinriede.
Steinriede recently won the annual Roxy Pro Longboarding tournament in Biarritz, France.
Grinding out a stellar performance in the less than ideal conditions, Steinriede managed to attain the highest single wave score of the day with a near flawless 8.65.
Steinriede mentioned her use of strategy and positioning in the event, and how it helped her in the long run. Rather than joining the scrum of competitors, she waited patiently for her wave and claimed one that allowed her to soar beyond the reach of her competitors.
This particular wave was a left. Steinriede puzzled at the reason for the oversight of this spot for so many other surfers. She said that many chose to repeatedly follow an inferior right and she had little competition for the break. This suited Steinriede fine, as she preferred to ride left.
Steinriede started off the wave with a quick bottom turn to set up a stylish hang five. She read the wave perfectly, and fit in a couple nice carves before she finished her combo with a solid turn on the final section. Her strategy of quality over quantity paid off and the final standings showed Steinriede as the victor with a towering 12.4 point victory over the next best of 5.6.
With this triumph Steinriede is now seeded as the top spot on the international rankings of the Association of Surfing Professionals. Steinriede has been surfing for years, and as could be expected from a long boarder, regularly wades out to surf at San Onofre State Beach.
“When I want [to ride waves] mellow, I go to San O.” When the waves are going off, she has a “secret spot” that will at this time, remain undisclosed.
Steinriede started working with the Saddleback surf team in 2008 as an assistant, but assumes full control this year.
We certainly hope she can pass on some of her trade secrets. Despite suffering from a shortage of teammates, the team took sixth in nationals last year.
Steinriede accredits this high finish to the contributions of long boarder Dennis White, who took third in his division. This year it seems the member drought is over.
“I have more good guys than I know what to do with at this point,” Steinriede said. “I would not be surprised to win it [nationals] next semester.”
Fresh off an international victory, and now with a full stable of male athletes, the Saddleback surf team is ready to shred this year.
Branching out from the water, Steinriede also has begun teaching both yoga and pilate’s class here at Saddleback. She believes in these techniques, and said it helps her keep her perspective of what is really important to her.
They help her clear her mind during moments of stress. She even attributes the connection formed between mind and body through these exercises as having an impact on her surfing.
This year, students will not only see Steinriede in the classroom, but also in the water.