“ It is so much fun . The Laguna Beach Surf Club revolves around community , culture and conservation ,” says Arthur , 36 . “ Our primary goal is to unite Laguna ’ s incredible surf community , with a focus on nurturing the youth , preserving the ocean and , of course , having a great time .

“… We are proud members of the West Coast Board Riders , participating in three friendly competitions each year against San Clemente , Dana Point and Newport Beach . Although initially formed for competitive purposes , these clubs have evolved into influential advocates for the well-being of their respective communities .”

The 2006 graduate of Laguna Beach High School still lives in town after some time abroad . His passion for surfing started young .

“ My dad grew up surfing in LA and my mom grew up in a family that pioneered surfing in SoCal in the ’ 50s ,” he shares . They moved to Laguna and got swept up in the beach volleyball and surf culture . “ I caught my first wave when I was 5 and was hooked .,” he says .

“ When I was around 10 , it really started to become an obsession . I would go down to Thalia during the summer and stay down there all day ,

Ryah Arthur coming through the tube

GO-TO PLACE IN TOWN “ Laguna Surf & Sport is the always-go-to heartbeat of the surf culture in town . Hobie [ Surf Shop ] is a staple as well . I love Rye Goods as they are organically grounded cafes with high-quality food .” FAVORITE LOCAL SURF SPOT “ I love surfing at Thalia ; it ’ s my second home in a way . But I also love surfing at Brooks and Rockpile . When these waves get good , which is rare , there ’ s nothing better than paddling out and sharing waves with longtime friends .” FAVORITE GLOBAL SURF SPOT Portugal and Mexico BUCKET LIST SURF DESTINATION “ I would love to do a boat trip with some of my best friends to the Mentawai Islands .” SURFING STYLE “ Basically , I surf like an uncoordinated caveman .” HIS BOARD “ Grape — Paul Wade is the best shaper in Laguna .” OTHER HOBBIES “ Anything in the ocean . Lots of beach volleyball . Getting stronger and healthier myself . Researching and studying . Book club [ and ] building community .”

switching between skimboarding and surfing . The community of kids down there was truly something special ; we were all obsessed with the ocean and would push each other in and out of the water . The undercurrent of competition really fanned the flame of growing as a waterman and surfer .”

For Arthur , riding waves is about connecting with the ocean . “ I love the dynamism of the ocean and the ever-changing nature of waves ,” he says . “ I love the challenge , but also the depth of connection . … You have to be completely present .”

Arthur surfed professionally , traveling to compete for a few years after high school . “ I worked at Laguna Surf & Sport and taught surf lessons when I was home , then I would travel to Brazil or Europe or Latin America or wherever the next event was to compete , sometimes for months on end . I was a part of a solid cohort of American pros that were working hard to realize their dreams of becoming world-renowned professionals ,” he says .

“ When the 2008 financial crisis happened , a lot of the money that was available to these up-andcoming pros got pulled back pretty rapidly . If you were not at the absolute top of the game , chances were that your sponsorships were getting pulled . There were lots … of guys that got dropped by their sponsors . … I was among that group .”

He worked hard to earn enough money to continue traveling , but as he approached the age of 22 , he felt like he was “ pursuing something that was just not going to happen ,” he says . “ I felt my heart calling me onto a completely unknown path .”

He switched gears and completed a discipleship program , like his sister had done , with a Christian mission organization called Youth With A Mission . “ I went to Cambodia , where I spent three months teaching English and building a rain catchment tank for a local church ,” he says . “… It changed my life . I saw how other cultures functioned and the values that shaped their behaviors and social dynamics . … It helped give me some context on my own life and how I was … influenced by my country , religion and culture .”

Upon returning home , he became involved with Little Church by the Sea , co-leading the youth group ’ s international trips . He also studied crosscultural communication in college and eventually found his way into private and group training , attending the Chek Institute for integrated movement science and holistic lifestyle coaching . “ It takes years to truly learn , implement and master these principles , ideas and practices ,” he says . /

TOP : PAT STACEY ; BOTTOM : GABE SULLIVAN

50 LAGUNABEACHMAGAZINE . COM