Boardrider of the Month: Britta Schlagbaum

Alex Joy

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BOARDRIDER OF THE MONTH: Britta Schlagbaum

Britta Schlagbaum moved to Satellite Beach from Colorado and started surfing soon after at the age of 13 when Dad took her and little brother out on his board. She started doing some local competitions and joined the ESA when she turned 15, and has been really ripping it up lately.

Britta is always outside, working out, surfing, skateboarding, and riding her bike. But though she is also a veritable ray of sunshine, she’s not just a pretty face; her other interests include reading and writing poetry. Britta truly has a love for being young and living life to the fullest. This solid surfer seems to be always happy and stoked on life.

In Britta’s own words, “I just go with the flow because everything happens for a reason.”

Name: Britta Schlagbaum
Age: 17
Hometown: Satellite Beach
Stance: Regular

How long have you been surfing?

About four years.

Do you have any sponsors?

Ricky Carrol surfboards!

Do you have a “best day ever” claim?

I’d say a while back when I drove up to Ponce Inlet with my friend and there was a perfect right pretty much all day with clear blue water. I felt like I was ripping every wave.

What are your favorite surf conditions?

Head-high chunky waves with some barrels on a sunny day… yaaa!

You’ve been doing some modeling lately. How’s that going?

It’s good… mostly just for fun to have photos for later when I might get more serious with it.

Do you see yourself looking at surfing as a carer or just a lifestyle?

For me surfing is more of a lifestyle and a sport I love doing for fun. Just being in the ocean with friends is like an outlet for me to think about life and soak up the sun. I love the fast rush and feeling of riding a wave made by nature. It’s just you and the ocean.

Have you been planing any surf trips for the near future?

I am planning on going to Eleuthera, Bahamas some time soon when I get some time off from work, with my boyfriend. That’s his home island, so I’ve got a free place to stay, which is sick!

Which local shredder do you see going big around here?

Hmm… That’s a tough one, ’cause there are alot of shredders around here. But I definitely see Peter Polanski going big some day. He rips for sure, and he’s one of the most determined guys I know.

Who shapes your surfboards?

I get my boards from the greatest shaper in the world, Mr. Ricky Carroll. He is absolutely awesome, and he shows it with the great boards he makes. I love every board I ride, and I’m sure you will too.

Where are the best waves in town?

Come on, we won’t tell anyone! 2nd Light, Inlet, and the Pier — haha! I’m not telling my secret spots. There are enough people out there already.

When the waves are flat, what do you do to fill the time?

Well, when there are no waves and I don’t have work, I’m either at the beach with friends, at the gym, reading by my pool, riding my bike, or just doing anything outside. But I’d still rather be surfing any day.

Do you have a training workout to stay in surf shape?

I go to the gym all the time and I run around my neighborhood, and from time to time I use my Indo Board. Also, having a healthy diet helps a lot. But I’d say that surfing is the best workout there is.

Where’s the best after-surf grinds place to hang out and chill?

Dakine Diego’s is a hot spot, but I’m already there all the time so I like to go home and jump in my pool and go back to the boardwalk. I roll insane burritos at Dakine’s and make hungry people happy, ’cause we all know everyone is grumpy when they’re hungry.

The environment is a big concern for most surfers. Do you think there’s anything we can do locally to help?

I think everyone should recycle. Any time you’re at the beach or anywhere else and see trash on the ground, pick it up and throw it in the trashcan. Even if it’s a little, it adds up. If everyone does, it can make a big difference.

If you could be the President for a day, what law would you want to get passed?

I would illegalize offshore dumping.

Where do you see yourself five years from now?

I see myself still in college, and of course, still surfing.

Any big holla outs?

Definitely my family for all their support, the crew at DKDs, my girls Sloane and Tess, Perks crew, IHB boys, and my boyfriend, Warren.