The Coaches and Board Members of The Half Moon Bay Surf Team are parents of our surfers and other dedicated community members who volunteer their time to help encourage the youth of the coastside to get in the water, show up, and be kind.

Get to know our crew below and feel free to contact any of the following via email with any questions you might have about our organization.

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JASON STARK- HEAD COACH, HIGH SCHOOL VARSITY

When and where did you start surfing? The Half Moon Bay Jetty, 1994

Favorite wave you've ever surfed? A right hand sandy point called Punta Conejo in Salina Cruz, Mexico. 

Dream surf trip? Indonesia by boat with two surf buddies and my family in tow. Probably starting down in Bali and make it up to the Mentawais.

Favorite thing about surfing? Aside from being immersed in nature, it allows you to live in the present. You don't think about your mortgage or any land based stresses when you getting barreled or hitting the lip. It clears your mind so to speak.

Favorite thing about being involved with The Half Moon Bay Surf Team? Sharing my quarter century of surf wisdom with the youth. It's very rewarding. I also like the many different characters. They make me laugh and keep me feeling young.

Pizza or Burrito? Pizza.

jasonmontara7@gmail.com

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KERRI KEMP, GIRLS VARSITY COACH

When and where did you start surfing? High School;  Zuma, Malibu and Huntington Beach

Favorite wave you've ever surfed? Cottons (on a big day)

Dream surf trip? I would love to spend more time in warm water.

Favorite thing about surfing? The interactions with nature.

Favorite thing about being involved with The Half Moon Bay Surf Team? The people are great.

Pizza or Burrito? What? Do I have to pick?

K2kempgardner@gmail.com

Surfing Magazine cover Shoot 1980 Mark Richards Blog

MARTY PHELPS, HIGH SCHOOL JUNIOR VARSITY COACH

When and where did you start surfing? San Clemente Pier, 1975

Favorite wave you've ever surfed? Honolua Bay, Maui Hawaii

Dream surf trip? Location isn't so important. Just need decent waves, good friends and family to share the waves with!

Favorite thing about surfing? It's really fun!

Favorite thing about being involved with The Half Moon Bay Surf Team? It's all about the "Shared Positive Experience"! Getting to know and surf with all the young surfers and watch them grow into wonderful adults!!

Pizza or Burrito? Burrito!

marty.vci@gmail.com

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MARK SUTHERLAND, HIGH SCHOOL JUNIOR VARSITY COACH

When and where did you start surfing? Jalama, 1986

Favorite wave you've ever surfed? Hanalei Bay

Dream surf trip? J-Bay with Safari included

Favorite thing about surfing? Being in the ocean

Favorite thing about being involved with The Half Moon Bay Surf Team? The kids' stoke

Pizza or Burrito? Burrito!

mtsutherland@hotmail.com

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THOMAS CHALKLEY, HEAD COACH, MIDDLE SCHOOL 

When and where did you start surfing? Virginia Beach and Outerbanks NC, 1987

Favorite wave you've ever surfed? Keramas, Bali on a trip with the Marine Corps.

Dream surf trip? Tour the East Coast of Australia starting on the Sunshine Coast and ending at Bells.

Favorite thing about surfing? The anticipation and prospect of getting good waves, and the satisfaction on the rare occasion that I surf a wave well!

Favorite thing about being involved with The Half Moon Bay Surf Team? Seeing the progression in the young surfers and hopefully igniting a lifelong passion (addiction!).

Pizza or Burrito? Burrito!

chalkleyth@gmail.com

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KYLE WILHELMS, MIDDLE SCHOOL ASSISTANT COACH

When and where did you start surfing? Started surfing in middle school at Narragansett, RI

Favorite wave you've ever surfed? Hanalei Bay on Kauai

Dream surf trip? One of these days I'll figure out how to get away on an Indonesian boat trip.

Favorite thing about surfing? Surfing is great because no matter how long I do it the ocean never stops providing new challenges.

Favorite thing about being involved with The Half Moon Bay Surf Team? The kids uper fun to surf with, always down and always stoked.

Pizza or Burrito? Calzone (best of both)

kyle.t.wilhelms@gmail.com

The most feared surf gangs in the world

MATT COLLINS- BOARD MEMBER, PRESIDENT

When and where did you start surfing? Malibu, 1977

Favorite wave you've ever surfed? Punta De Lobos, Chile

Dream surf trip? Camp Pendleton camping trip with the HMB team.

Favorite thing about surfing? Enjoying nature with good friends.

Favorite thing about being involved with The Half Moon Bay Surf Team? Surfing with the most stoked groms on the planet.

Pizza or Burrito? Burrito...no question.

matt@foragerproject.com

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DAN O'BRIEN, BOARD MEMBER-  TREASURER

When and where did you start surfing? Bay Head, NJ 1979

Favorite wave you've ever surfed? Nembrala, Timor, Indonesia

Dream surf trip? Cloudbreak, Fiji

Favorite thing about surfing? Everyday is different, and it's incredibly challenging.

Favorite thing about being involved with The Half Moon Bay Surf Team? Seeing the kids get better and better while they learn to read the ocean.

Pizza or Burrito? Burrito everyday and twice on Sunday!

norcalsurf70@hotmail.com

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TANYA SLYE, BOARD MEMBER

When and where did you start surfing?  I don't surf, but I enjoy watching my husband and boys catch waves

Favorite wave you've ever surfed?  My favorite wave to watch them is Pine Trees in Hanalei

Dream surf trip?  Playa Negra Costa Rica

Favorite thing about surfing?  Hanging at the beach while my family has fun in the water

Favorite thing about being involved with The Half Moon Bay Surf Team?  Being a part of and giving back to a great community

Pizza or Burrito?  Pizza for sure!

tanya.slye@gmail.com

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ROD WALSHA, BOARD MEMBER

When and where did you start surfing? 12 years old, Lahaina, Maui

Favorite wave you've ever surfed? Hanalei Bay

Dream surf trip? Private resort with me and the kids

Favorite thing about surfing? Everything!

Favorite thing about being involved with The Half Moon Bay Surf Team? Camaraderie and getting everyone together

Pizza or Burrito? Burrito

rodneywalc@gmail.com

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MARIA POLONCHEK, BOARD MEMBER

When and where did you start surfing? 2016 with the HMB Surf Club, Dunes Beach

Favorite wave you've ever surfed? Puamana, Maui

Dream surf trip? Warm and tropical.  Nothing but bathing suits, coffee, books, bare feet and spicey food

Favorite thing about surfing? Overcoming fear and doubt

Favorite thing about being involved with The Half Moon Bay Surf Team? Community support and angagement

Pizza or Burrito? Pizza

mariapolonchek@gmail.com

Registration is now open for the 2023/2024 Season
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Contact information

Matthew Collins

matt@foragerproject.com

415.238.4677