Aptos High’s Finn & Cooper Brownlee Talk About Their Surfing Career and Sweeping League
On Feb. 11, Aptos High freshman Finn Brownlee won the shortboard final at the inaugural Santa Cruz Scholastic Surf League Champions Contest at Steamer Lane, competing with surfers from Monterey County to Marin County.
Cooper (left) and Finn Brownlee
His two-wave score was 12.84. His brother Cooper Brownlee scored 9.16 and took fourth. Aptos Times interviewed the brothers about their surfing.
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Tell me how you started surfing. How old were you?
Finn: I was about 10 and started longboarding at Capitola and eventually started shortboarding. I come from a big surfing family and my dad is the one who taught me.
Cooper: My dad would launch me into baby waves when I was young but my true love for it grew when I was 12. I started on a longboard and although it was hard, I eventually learned to shortboard.
How often do you go out?
Finn: I surf almost every day, sometimes twice. Usually with my siblings or cousin, Adam Bartlett.
Cooper: I am able to surf after school most days. I get off of school at 12 each day so I have plenty of time.
Finn, you’re too young to drive, so how do you get to the ocean?
Finn: My brother Cooper takes me after school or my dad. My dad usually wakes me up at 6 am on Saturdays to surf for the day.
Cooper, are you the driver?
Cooper: Yes that’s me! I take Finn wherever the waves are best after school. On weekends, I love going with my dad and watching him rip harder than me. It’s pretty inspiring.
Where do you go? Favorite places?
Finn: The Lane is my favorite spot in town, but I like heading up north or down south with my dad and brother depending on conditions.
Cooper: My favorite spots are up north, waves like Waddell or Scotts, but I surf the Lane the most.
Tell me about your surfboards.
Finn: I mostly surf sharpeyes, so I was super excited to win one!
Cooper: I surf a 5’8” HT2.5 and a 5’10” HT. I love how sharpeyes feel under my feet!
How do you explain your 1st and 4th places out of the top 16 in the league championship?
Finn: I actually didn’t have the best season, and just barely qualified for the championships. The waves and conditions were good for the final and I had a good day. Cooper was rated way higher in points for the season and could’ve easily taken the win. It was the first time we surfed against each other and we had fun.
Cooper: I was placed 2nd in the season before the final contest. I believe I could have surfed better in the final but I was happy to make it there and surf with Finn. Overall, it was a good season and I’m psyched on how I did!