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.
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.
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?
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!
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!
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!
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)
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.
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!
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
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
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
Registration is now open for the 2023/2024 Season
Contact information
Matthew Collins
matt@foragerproject.com
415.238.4677