Soquel High Dominates at 26th High School State Surfing Championships

Knights win women's longboard title and freshman Riviera Hunter takes women's shortboard crown

Mar. 28, 2026 at 4:50pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Soquel High School earned the women's longboard team title and freshman Riviera Hunter was crowned women's shortboard champion at the 26th High School State Surfing Championships held at Oceanside South Jetty on March 21. The three-day event featured close to 40 high schools from across California competing in various divisions.

Why it matters

The Scholastic Surf Series (SSS) is the premier high school surfing competition in California, showcasing the state's top young talent. Soquel High's dominant performance highlights the strength of their surf program and the rising stars emerging from the Santa Cruz area.

The details

Soquel's longboard team, comprised of freshmen Riviera Hunter, Ireland Kille, and London Lorber, edged out San Dieguito 11-10 in the final. In the women's shortboard division, Riviera Hunter finished first, ahead of surfers from Coastal Academy, San Dieguito, San Juan Hills, and Point Loma. Soquel also tied for fifth in the women's shortboard competition.

  • The 26th High School State Surfing Championships took place on March 21, 2026.
  • The SSS Middle School State Championships are scheduled for April 18-19, 2026 in Huntington Beach.

The players

Soquel High School

A high school located in Soquel, California that has a strong surf program and dominated the 26th High School State Surfing Championships, winning the women's longboard title and the women's shortboard individual championship.

Riviera Hunter

A freshman at Soquel High School who was crowned the women's shortboard champion at the 26th High School State Surfing Championships.

Ireland Kille

A freshman at Soquel High School who was part of the school's championship-winning women's longboard team.

London Lorber

A freshman at Soquel High School who was part of the school's championship-winning women's longboard team.

Scholastic Surf Series (SSS)

The premier high school surfing competition in California, organized by the Western Surfing Association.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“'It was a lot of fun. I got to compete with my best friends.'”

— London Lorber, Soquel High School Freshman

“'We had to make sure everyone got something good.'”

— London Lorber, Soquel High School Freshman

“'I knew a lot of the competitors and what the judges are looking for. They like surfers completing the waves, surfing to the inside. And bigger maneuvers. Like, noserides are pretty critical.'”

— London Lorber, Soquel High School Freshman

What’s next

The SSS Middle School State Championships are scheduled to take place at 9th Street in Huntington Beach on April 18-19, 2026, showcasing the next generation of California high school surfing talent.

The takeaway

Soquel High School's dominant performance at the 26th High School State Surfing Championships underscores the strength of their surf program and the rising stars emerging from the Santa Cruz area, positioning them as a powerhouse in California high school surfing.