Tera Richardson. Courtesy photo.
By Andrea Swayne
Age: 14, Shorecliffs Middle School
Shorecliffs Middle School eighth-grader Tera Richardson has been surfing for seven years and now, in only her second competition season, has risen to the top ranks of her school surf team. In Scholastic Surf Series competition Tera came up with her second win in a row February 2 at the San Clemente Pier.
The win catapulted the Capistrano Beach resident into the No. 1 ranking among SSS Orange County middle school girls. “I felt pretty confident at the end of the final but I honestly didn’t know I won. When I found out I was really surprised and happy,” she said. “The waves were small and I just knew I had to do my best on whatever waves I could catch.”
Tera is also competing in the WSA this season and is ranked No. 3 in the Girls U14 shortboard division. Tera has also recently joined a water polo team and says that she has plans to try out for both the San Clemente High School surf and water polo teams next year.
In school, Tera is an ‘A’ and ‘B’ student whose favorite subject is art. Painting at home in her spare time is also a favorite hobby. Looking into the future, Tera said she will continue to pursue a pro surfing career but would also like to become a doctor, a chef, or an artist someday. For now, she will enjoy working on her surfing by practicing at least three days a week. “Being on the waves just makes me happy,” she said.
