5-7. Drew Brees, Tony Gonzalez and Doug Flutie
Two years ago, on a lay day at the Volcom Pipe Pro, an impromptu surf session took place at White Plains beach on Oahu’s west side. The participants were Pro Bowlers and pro surfers Drew Brees, Tony Gonzalez, Doug Flutie, Kelly Slater, Fred Patacchia, Mark Healey, Sunny Garcia, Gabe Kling and Reef McIntosh. The session went down in two-foot wind swell, but spirits, and competitive vibes, were high regardless. Drew Brees said it was one of the top five coolest things he’s ever done. Tony Gonzalez, a Huntington Beach native, is no stranger to surfing but said his signature move is standing up. They didn’t do so bad for a group of guys whose everyday playing field is made of grass and 300-pound human bulldozers.
8. Charlie Weatherby
Charlie Weatherby enjoying his first love: surfing. Photo: Weatherby Collection
Major league pitcher Charlie Weatherby loves to get barreled. Who doesn’t? But finding the time always alluded him after excelling at baseball and football. When he got the call from an organization in Japan to return to baseball after a number of stints in the Major Leagues and jobs selling merchandise for brands like Hot Tuna, Electric and Boysen Surfboards, he was having dinner with pro surfer Ben Bourgeois. According to ESPN, Weatherby was informed that the town he would be pitching in was one of the best waves Bourgeois has ever surfed. He was in. He’s been pitching for the Kochi Fight Dogs ever since. His days of surfing ESA contests against the likes of CJ and Damien Hobgood, Asher Nolan, Ben Bourgeois and Justin Schultz were over though he continues to get kegged in Japan.
Rowland-Smith. Photo: Wiki Commons | Mark Sobba
9. Ryan Rowland-Smith
Aussie born baseball player Ryan Rowland-Smith has surfed his whole life. Growing up in Newcastle, his sister pushed him into bigger and bigger waves until he grew scared. He says he’s over it now but remembers surfing being a way of life. “Even in the winter, we’d get up early, grab our stuff, catch a bus and surf for about two hours before going to school. It was freezing, but we didn’t care. We wore full body suits. In the summer, we’d surf every day. It was the culture that I grew up in. Everybody I knew surfed.” As for whether surfing helps his shoulder, a pitcher’s most vulnerable body part, Rowland-Smith says the jury is still out.
10-12. Nyjer Morgan, Devin Ivany and Collin Balester
This trio of professional baseball players for the Washington Nationals is a relative bunch of outcasts compared to their midwestern teammates. “‘All these guys are from the Midwest,’ said Balester. ‘Some of these guys on the team have never even seen surfboards in their life…I think they’re just jealous.'” The Nationals’ center fielder was taken out to Sunset Beach by teammate Devin Ivany in 2006. He says he, “…just fell in love with it.” There he witnessed guys like Gerry Lopez and said he admires the paddling it involves, which he discerns is the hardest part. Ivany, who is trying out for the Nationals, grew up surfing Sebastian Inlet and Reef Road in West Palm Beach, Florida. He still tries to get out as much as he can.
13. Barry Zito
Barry Zito in action for the San Francisco Giants. Photo: Wiki Commons | WeeHaggis
Veteran ace pitcher Barry Zito was interviewed after the 2013 season to see what his plans are for the future as retirement looms large. According to one source, Zito, 35, doesn’t plan to retire, but he also doesn’t have any concrete timeframe for an ascent to the mound. He has said he’d like to pitch through his forties like the veteran Jamie Moyer before him, but for now, the waves beckon. The same source publicized the pitcher’s motives: “Right now, the only opportunity that interests Zito is a bit of swell off the Maui coastline, and a chance to ascend his surfboard…And now that he’s no longer under contract, he’s taking some time to enjoy the literal waves. Salt spray and all.”
Who did we miss? Mention as many professional athletes who surf as you can below.
