BRYNLEY BECKMAN GROM OF THE WEEK

BY JAKE HOWARD, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

Look out, surf world, here comes Brynley Beckman. A stylish goofy-footer hailing from San Clemente, this 13-year-old has been doing some serious work on the competitive scene this season.

Enjoying tons of success among the NSSA ranks, Beckman is currently sitting in third in the Southwest Open Super Girls rankings, fourth in the Open Girls and second in the Explorer Girls. It’s hard enough to focus on one division, but to be so successful in three embraced the challenge. different divisions speaks to her drive, tenacity, and work ethic.

Today, surf trunks are made from recycled plastic bottles, traction pads are made out of algae, surfboards are certified eco-friendly; heck, there’s even a revolution taking place on how all of this stuff is packaged and brought to market.

Almost every big-name surf brand these days has woven sustainability into their business models. San Clemente-based Rip Curl was recently certified as a B Corporation, meaning it will be accountable for environmental and social milestones when it comes to the growth of its business.

Patagonia has long been at the forefront of the environmental fight. Time and again, it eagerly puts its money where its mouth is.

The Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA) has a very active environmental fund. Every year, the Waterman’s Ball raises large sums of money for environmental causes and honors an Environmentalist of the Year—last year, it was Anne Earhart, founder of the Marisla Foundation.

Thriving in conditions big or small, Beckman isn’t afraid to pull into the barrel when the opportunity presents itself.

Last January, she made her first trip to Oahu’s famed North Shore, where she settled right into the heavier Hawaiian conditions. With a refined, powerful rail game, when it comes to turns, Beckman’s backhand is especially dangerous.(Maybe it’s all those lefts at Lowers?)

Supported by the good people at Sistr Revolution, Beckman is more than just a competitive machine, as she has also been known to tandem surf at events and is certainly not afraid to drop into massive skate ramps. SC

With summer not too far away, we can’t wait to see what Beckman gets up to next.

If you have a candidate for Grom of the Week, we want to know. Send an email to jakehoward1@gmail.com.

Along the same lines, World Surf League PURE leans in on ocean issues via the power of pro surfing. Both SIMA and WSL PURE raise awareness for issues ranging from coral bleaching to wetland restoration, saving sand dunes and more. Perhaps the best thing about being a surfer and caring about the beach and ocean, we can all do our part. Everyone can pick up a few pieces of trash when they get out of the water. Just that small, simple act can have a ripple effect. We can all be the change we seek through being a little more aware and tweaking a few of our regular habits. This Earth Day, make it a point to be the change. SC

Jake Howard is a local surfer and freelance writer who lives in San Clemente. A former editor at Surfer magazine, The Surfer’s Journal and ESPN, today he writes for a number of publications, including Picket Fence Media, Surfline and the World Surf League. He also works with philanthropic organizations such as the Surfing Heritage and Culture Center and the Positive Vibe Warriors Foundation.

Surf Forecast

Water Temperature: 54-56 Degrees F

Water Visibility and Conditions: 8-10’

Thursday: A mix of fading S swell and lingering NW swell mix provides knee-waist high surf (2-3’) with standouts pushing chest-high (4’). Moderate S wind creates bumpy conditions in the morning, becoming lighter throughout the afternoon while keeping surface conditions textured into the evening.

Outlook: Both S and NW swell drop to smaller leftovers by Friday, in the knee-waist high range (2-3’) on Friday. Conditions do improve with lighter SE/ESE wind for the morning, trending onshore out of the SW in the afternoon. A small pulse of S swell arrives for the weekend, helping keep surf in the knee-waist high range (2-3’) while select focal points likely top out around the stomach-high mark (3’+). Clean morning conditions all weekend with bumpy afternoons as moderate westerly onshore flow picks up.Primarily onshore winds over the weekend, light in the morning, then light+ to moderate for the afternoons.