The Roar of the Pacific: Westcliff Surf Team Rides to Victory in Huntington Beach
The ocean was alive with incredible and intense six to eight feet high, heavy waves that pounded the sand on the Southside pier in Huntington. The kind of surf that separates the fearless from the rest. For Westcliff University’s Surf Team, it wasn’t just another weekend competition. It was a proving ground.
And for Blaze Roche, it was personal.
Surfing with Purpose: Blaze Roche’s Emotional Win
Three months to the day since the passing of his close friend, Kolby Aipa, Roche paddled out at his home break with purpose. Between the thundering sets and the spray of salt air, there was a quiet resolve that seemed to charge every wave he caught.
“I did it for Kolby Aipa and his family, true Huntington Beach locals,” Roche said. “I wanted to do it for them and live like Kolby. To get my first NSSA win at my home beach in this context is really special.”
Roche surfed like a man possessed. Reading the beach’s shifting sandbars and breaks like lines of a familiar song, he posted back-to-back high scores — a 7.33 and a 7.67 — to claim his first-ever NSSA college win. It was a storybook finish: a hometown victory carried by heart, memory, and momentum.
“You could tell Blaze was surfing for a bigger purpose,” said Head Coach Lucas Taub. “The Aipa family was there all weekend supporting us. Blaze was on fire, and when Blaze clicks, the team always seems to click with him.”
Team Energy and Unity
Behind Roche’s emotional triumph, Westcliff’s lineup delivered a statement performance that sent shockwaves through the collegiate surfing scene. Competing against programs including perennial powerhouses like USC, UCLA, Point Loma, and SDSU, the Warriors claimed first place overall at NSSA College Event No. 2, solidifying their standing as one of the top collegiate surf teams in the country.
Standout Performances Across the Lineup 
Team Captain Jordy Collins continued his consistent streak of finals appearances, finishing runner-up in the men’s division just one week after winning at Blacks Beach. Freshman standout Ryder Smith electrified the crowd with a 9.0 ride in Round One coming from a gigantic 360 air that could fit into any pro’s highlight reel, before finishing fourth in the men’s final, proving he is one to watch .
And then there was Taylor Stacy, the co-captain, the steady heartbeat of the team, and a champion through and through.
“Winning as a team is even more rewarding because we get to share in the accomplishment,” Stacy said. “Winning individually was the cherry on top. I’m super excited to see what the season brings and to keep this momentum moving forward.”
Her words mirrored her surfing, balanced, powerful, confident. Stacy tore through the women’s field, posting a 16.00 heat total to take first place. For a surfer who already holds state and national titles, her win was another chapter in a career defined by excellence and leadership.
Coach Taub remarked, “You know she was hungry for that win. From the first heat, I knew she’d be tough to beat. You put Taylor on a big left, she’s going to hammer it. Her backhand is second to none.”
By the end of the weekend, the scoreboard told the story: Westcliff – 127 points. Point Loma – 108. A commanding 19-point margin that underscored not just dominance, but depth.
“When the team comes together, great things come out of it, and that’s what happened this weekend,” Taub said. “Honestly, I got goosebumps from this win. You could tell it was our weekend from the start.”
A Culture of Character and Championship
Westcliff’s surf team didn’t emerge overnight. Under Taub’s leadership, a former Westcliff 4.0 student-athlete and state champion himself, the Warriors have evolved from a handful of surfers into a true national powerhouse.
Westcliff has also broken barriers as the first university in history to offer academic scholarships for surfing, elevating the sport from club level to varsity status. With that support, the Warriors have not only competed against, but consistently beat, major Division I programs. This unprecedented support from Westcliff has only grown, leading the way once again and being the first university to send team members to a professional event to compete this past summer at the World Surf League (WSL) Virginia Beach Pro. This level of backing has gained major recognition in the world of surfing, landing features in Surfer Magazine, and attracting new top talent including the highly touted freshman, Titus Santucci, who is soon to make his debut with the team.
The result of this incredible support? A culture that thrives both in and out of the water.
“This group works hard,” Taub said. “They study hard, train hard, and support each other through everything. They’re a special group, and this win proves it.”
The Rise of a New Era in Collegiate Surfing
As the sun set on Southside Huntington and the waves calmed to glass, Blaze, Taylor, and the rest of the Warriors stood on the sand together. A team win. Two individual titles. One emotional tribute. Just another day in the rise of a program rewriting what’s possible in collegiate surfing.
“Proud is an understatement,” Taub said. “This is only the beginning, we’re coming for more. This has shown us that we can not only beat the best, we can be the best.”
