Crystal Yang: This Is Why I Surf

Crystal Yang

Crystal Yang, 33, Playa del Rey, Calif. Publicist Specializing in Sports, Action Sports, Health, Wellness, Events and Eco

Why do you surf? I surf because I love the water, the sun and the social aspect that comes along with it.

How long have you been doing it? This is my 17^th year surfing.

Do you compete? I just compete with myself and I take it super mellow and easy so I stop getting injured.

Most challenging aspect of surfing: The conditions of surfing are ever-changing. Sometimes it’s big, small, choppy, glassy, closed-out, mushy, scary, fun…you never know. Everyday is different, every break and every wave is different. Even what’s in the water – fish, dolphins, rays, seals, jellies and sharks (both the animal and occasional person).

Most fun aspect: Definitely the social aspect is one of the main things that I love about surfing. I always say, if no one sees me catch that wave and cheers with me, it’s like it never happened.

Most rewarding aspect? The social aspect and catching a really sweet ride. Surfing is a really difficult sport but seeing my “Team Porto” crew is the best way to start my day. Catching a wave is icing on the cake – I can’t even explain the feeling of dropping into a wave and getting that long ride.

Who/what inspires you when you’re feeling weak? God. My family. My friends. Doing something active like surfing, pounding a volleyball or doing yoga to get out my frustration – these are what inspire me when I feel weak.

Advice for others who’d like to get started: Do it! I highly recommend taking a surf lesson. For the first and second ones, a group lesson with like-minded people (women, family, co-workers) is good. For third one and beyond, I would do semi-private lessons to hone in on the areas you need help with.

Crystal Yang

Your must-have equipment: For the winter – I can’t live without

one of my many boards depending on conditions
my Rip Curl G-Bomb 4’3
O’Neill split toe booties
short rash-guard to tuck inside the wetsuit
Keys SPF 30 Vegan sunblock (that sun will get you when it’s overcast)
any surf-branded suit that stays on and doesn’t pull on my neck
a hair tie to pull back my hair.

Favorite training song: I just love the sounds of waves, paddling through water, dolphins splashing, the ginormous pelicans that circle the air before dive bombing next to us and people around me. Occasionally, I’ll just start singing to myself out there.

Favorite healthy food: I have two go-to healthy foods. 1. Gardenburger brand burger over a salad, sometimes with an egg, avocado, savory tofu sauce, quinoa, some kind of nut, mix of veggies mixed together. 2. Chinese veggie soup dumplings.

Favorite not-so-healthy food: Unfortunately, anything with cheese or fried like nachos or thick steak fries are my kryptonite. Couple that with a blueberry beer – oh my.

Funniest /weirdest/most awkward experience doing your activity: After so many years of surfing, I’ve had several klutzy and interesting moments. One of them was when I was surfing on the most beautiful day on my birthday – the water was clear, the sun was out, there were leopard sharks swimming under my board as I was riding (like big catfish, no teeth). After I was done riding, I jumped off my board to be refreshed by the water and I somehow ended up straddling a leopard shark that was anywhere from 3-5 feet long. The shark’s tale came out of the water, slapped me in the face and fluttered the whole way back down to the sand. I was slapped by a fish and my face was pink and numb for the next 15 minutes.