Surf’s Up, Brah!

Described by co-founder Madison O. Klein ’11 as “a club for the ridiculously good looking and extraordinarily intelligent, and for those who are of lion-hearted courageousness—and modest,” The Board Riders at Harvard (BRAH) is intent on bringing some West coast surfing culture all the way to Boston.

Klein and co-founder Benjamin B. Massenburg ’11, who are from southern California and Hawaii, respectively, decided to found BRAH this year in order to bring their passion for surfing to the Harvard student body and “make some waves in the athletic community,” Klein said.

Although the club’s primary focus is on surfing, it seeks to include those who are interested in skateboarding and snowboarding as well. “We like to think we embrace boarders of all walks of life,” expressed Klein.

When the club debuted at the freshman activities fair, an estimated 125 people signed up. Massenburg described the turnout as “overwhelming, but also encouraging.”

Jennie K. H. Peterson ’10, who learned to surf while spending her summer in Hawaii, said she was pleased to have this opportunity to continue the sport at Harvard.

“It seems like a really awesome way to get off campus and do something fun that most people don’t get to do,” Peterson said.

According to the founders, BRAH intends to organize trips in the near future to give members like Peterson the opportunity to practice their various boarding skills.

According to Klein, BRAH can serve the interests of both newbies and experienced surfers.

“It’s important to have people that already have that appreciation and the same passion that we have, but really there’s no experience necessary,” Klein said. “We’re happy to act as teachers in this because we understand that most people in this college have never stepped foot on a surfboard.”

And even with Boston’s frigid winter approaching, Klein and Massenburg are undeterred. After all, they cite recent developments in wetsuit technology as a major advance that will allow the truly devoted to pursue their sport throughout the school year.