gmhTODAY Summer 2021 | Page 75

Local : Recreation
GOING WILD IN THE WAVES

Taking On The Jetties

Images provided by Team Sanchez for gmhTODAY mike @ gmhtoday . com

On a recent SoCal Summer Sunday our grandson Rossi Gaona ushered in his 12th year by hitting Santa Ana River Jetties like a pro with his new birthday gear .

The Jetties are the northernmost and most consistent of the Newport Jetties , and a popular SoCal surf spot , offering wicked waves due to its contrasting currents . It ’ s a dog-friendly beach , and the long shore break makes it perfect for skimboarding .
For his gear , we popped into the legendary
TK ’ s Frog House surf shop in Newport Beach .
Rossi chose an Exile ® EX0 E-glass epoxy skimboard and added a Taylor Knox Signature 3-piece traction pad . The pad sports a backend bump allowing the rider to kick , cut and
maneuver through the water with porpoise-like precision .
Rossi closed out his 5th grade school year on the honor role at S . A . Moffett Elementary in his hometown Huntington Beach . He is an
awesome big brother to his little sis Makena
( 6 ) and gives his older brother Hayden ( 14 ) a
run for his money in all things tech and sport . Rossi was born for the water — immersed since the age of two . Whether its body surfing , skimboarding or doing a cannonball in any body of water , this kid ’ s a natural . He loves to fish and is also budding surfer . This is his 4th year training with the Huntington State Beach Jr . Lifeguard Program — a physically challenging boot camp emphasizing teamwork , leadership , and aquatic safety .
These images are just a glimpse of Rossi ’ s love of , and talent in , the water .
Like Rossi , our south county kids live just minutes from the beach . Get them there this summer ! Let them go wild in the waves .
They ’ ve earned it .
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