About

In the world of sports, a "dynasty" is a team that dominates their sport or league for an extended length of time. With an unprecedented 18 National Scholastic Surfing Association (NSSA) Titles, the HBHS Surf Team is one of the most successful high school sports programs in the nation. The Oilers won their first National Championship in 1981 by edging powerhouse San Clemente. Although the Oilers have many Sunset League Titles, and State Titles, winning the national Title is the most meaningful.

Huntington Beach High School Surf Team coaches; Bill Garland, Bruce Gabrielson, Rob Hill, Chuck Allen, and Andy Verdone, have helped shape the future of practically every young professional hopeful coming up the ranks in Huntington Beach. HBHS has always had a strong tradition of being one of the top competitive surf squads in the nation, most recently winning its 18th National Scholastic Surfing Association (NSSA) National Title in 2018.

Bill Garland was instrumental in giving the program it’s first signs of life over 50 years ago. He was forced to organize a “surf club” instead of “surf team” since he was met with resistance from other school coaches who considered surfers low-lifes. Nonetheless, Garland’s early efforts planted the seeds necessary for future success.

Under the helm of Bruce Gabrielson in 1975, HBHS surfers were finally acknowledge as student-athletes, meaning surfers became eligible for the school’s athletic awards. After five years as a “club”, a true HBHS surf team emerged. And they went on to battle for the state championship.

Next up was Coach Rob Hill, who not only successfully ran the team but also, along with Chuck Allen, founded the NSSA. He groomed a young Bud Llamas and traveled with him to Australia for an international competition.

Fellow NSSA founder Chuck Allen took the HB High coaching position after Hill, and continued to receive praise and admiration from local parents, most of who claimed that if it wasn’t for his surf program, their kids might actually be cutting school to go surfing. Allen led the team to five national titles in the 1980s before moving on to establish the United States Amateur Snowboard Association in 1988.

Coach Andy Verdone took over from Chuck Allen in 1987, and immediately led HBHS to a NSSA National title in 1988, which led to an impressive and impactful career of 12 NSSA National Titles as well as a National Surf League Title in 2010. He has taken teams on surf trips to Australia, Costa Rica, South Africa, New Zealand, and Ireland. Verdone has trained and coached some of the best surfers in Huntington Beach. Including: Barry and Jeff Deffenbaugh, Jay Larson, Micah Byrne, Shaun Ward, Timmy and Ryan Turner, Brett Simpson, and Kanoa Igarashi. The celebrated coach, teacher, and mentor is also among the 2012 inductees for the Surfers’ Hall of Fame.