They asked for additional excused absences to compete at national competition in California
OCEAN CITY – Ocean City High School’s surf team, which has won multiple state championships over the years, wants the chance to add a national title to its legendary performance.
Like the wax surfers use to get a grip on their boards, the sticking point is that the national championship means dipping their toes into the water on the opposite coast when school is in session. District policy doesn’t give them enough excused time off, according to a parent and a surf team member, so they can compete fairly and safely.
Near the end of the Ocean City Board of Education meeting Thursday, March 26, those two got up to speak on behalf of a number of surfers and parents who waited an hour into the meeting to make their plea.
The long and short (board) of it is that district policy allows a day and a half of excused absence for athletic competitions. They want to be excused for four days in June.
Maryann McAfee of Upper Township said she was speaking on behalf of the surf team, coaches and boosters.
“Our students have earned the opportunity to compete at the National Surfing Championships in Dana Point, California, a significant accomplishment that reflects the their hard work, dedication and pride in representing Ocean City, our community, and the state of New Jersey,” McAfee said.
To do that “safety and competitively,” the team needs four days of absence for travel and preparation. She pointed out the extra time is so the surfers can learn more about the West Coast environment, which differs greatly than that on the East Coast, including variations in swell direction, wave size, tides, wind and currents.
“Because of this, time in the water to acclimate is not optional,” she said. “It is a necessary and standard part of safe and effective competition in surfing.” Without that time, the surfers would be more at risk in terms of safety and be at a competitive disadvantage.
McAfee said they realize the attendance policy is important, and the 1.5 days is sufficient for other sports, “it does not align with the realities and requirements of the sport of surfing.”
She pointed out the students have incorporated learning time into their trip, including planned visits to surfboard manufacturing facilities where they’ll learn about design, engineering, materials science and real-world pathways connected to STEM and technical fields.
“We respectfully ask the board to consider approving these absences with the understanding that this trip reflects both a legitimate educational experience and the unique requirements of the sport,” McAfee said.
Although other surfers were prepared to speak, it was James Carr, a junior at OCHS, who made the plea for his peers.
Carr said he has been on the surf team for three years, been part of two state championship teams and won two individual state titles and is “trying to bring a national title back to Ocean City.”
He said his brother was on the team for four years and the California trip for nationals was the best experience he had in high school.
Carr said the team members are proud they earned a place at nationals. Because conditions are different on the East Coast, “we have to work even harder than most to improve and compete at a high level.” Those conditions make it important to have the extra time to learn and adapt to the waves, tides and currents on the other side of the country.
He added that the trip is more than a competition. “It’s a unique cultural experience that will expose us to a completely different environment, new people and a new level of the sport,” Carr said. The team members understand the importance of school and have already spoken to their teachers to ensure they will stay on top of their assignments and make up any missed work.
“We are responsible students. We’re not trying to skip school,” he said.
He asked the board members to give the team excused absences for June 10-15 and to reconsider the 1.5-day limit.
“I understand there are strict attendance concerns right now, but the challenges with attendance at the high school are not coming from student-athletes missing a few days for important events like this,” Carr said. “After everything we’ve put into this season, the last thing we need is to feel like we don’t have the support of our own community.”
Because the pleas came during public comment, the board took no action on the request.
– STORY and PHOTOS by DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff