August Riley Reinhardt. Photo by Jordan Anast/jordananast.com
By Andrea Swayne
Dana Point eighth-grader August Riley Reinhardt has been surfing for four years and began competing this season in the WSA Championship Series where he is currently ranked in the middle of the pack in Boys U16. With his serious work ethic—practicing every day before and after school—look for his ratings continue to rise as he begins to make his mark on the local amateur surf scene.
His goals include qualifying for the Surfing America Prime series and eventually being chosen to represent the country as part of the PacSun USA Surf Team.
Ultimately August would like to become a professional surfer but he has also expressed interest in becoming a doctor someday. Right now his training consists mainly of working on improving his turns and vertical hits and running mock heats to prepare for contests, usually at his home break, Salt Creek Beach.
When not surfing or studying, August also enjoys skateboarding and photography. In school he earns ‘A’ and ‘B’ grades and his favorite subject is science. August credits his success to coaching and encouragement from his “super supportive family” and would also like to thank Nation Surfboards’ Ryan Engle for his “magic boards.”
Whatever the future holds, August is certain that surfing will always be a part of what makes him happy. “It’s super cool just to be in the water, whether free surfing or in a contest,” August said. “I never feel like I get enough on any wave and I just want to keep catching more and more. It never gets old.”
