A Family Of Surfers

The girls are not only friends and children of Montauk, they are also children of the world’s surfing community. Young girls growing up to be women, gifted to ride the waves, judge the winds and feel the spirit of freedom through the ride of the surf.

Quincy Davis, age 11, and twin sisters Ariel and Alexis Engstrom, ages 14 are world-class surfers. They have a gift that separates them from so many others as if touched by the finger of God as portrayed in Michangelo’s, The Creation. They are also young girls going to school locally here in Montauk and East Hampton. Recently the girls competed in some diverse places. Belmar Beach, New Jersey, then Puerto Rico and then the short hop to Sao Paulo, Brazil in the Quicksilver Junior World Games. The International Surfing Association sanctions this event. To qualify for this event the girls placed one-two-three in the eighteen and under competition in Puerto Rico. At the Junior World Games the girls competed against the top twelve surfers from the countries attending Alexis, Quincy and Ariel all made it to the third round. Alexis also recently won the girls 14 and under Eastern Surfing Association title that was held in Belmar, New Jersey. Kathleen Engstrom who owns Montauk T-Shirts on the Plaza says all three girls are capable of coming in first in the competions. Ariel and Alexis come from quite a surfing family. Bother Leaf Engstrom, Ariel and Alexis’s older brother, is a talented surfer who models and mentors all three girls informally just by being a great older brother, offering sage advice. Greg Engstrom, Ariel and Alexis’s dad is a gifted athlete and surfer. Mom Kathleen won the New York State Surfing Title.

But this story goes beyond titles and competitions, it is about bonds between families: the Davis’ and the Engstroms. 18-year-old Leaf will take 11 year old Quincy out surfing as well as his sisters. The girls are all truly focused. But they are also well-rounded girls who bike, swim, dance and water-ski. The lifestyle seems almost too good to be true but it is true.

Kathleen Engstrom putting everything into the proper perspective says the highlight to the trip to Brazil was not how well everyone did but meeting and surfing with Bethany Hamilton the young Californian surfer who lost an arm due to a shark bite. Kathleen was just so inspired going out there and watching Bethany continue to do what she was meant to do, undeterred by misfortune. With only one arm she paddled through and to waves that gave Kathleen some difficulty. All knew they were with someone very special with true grit, that is what sport is all about.

Paulette Davis, Quincy’s mom was reported as saying, “Its been pretty much as if we have been on tour the last two years...They’re all great friends and great surfers…They’re together in practice, they stay together in competition, (and when away) they are home schooled together.”

The girls have attracted the attention of sponsors who provide them with the full array of boards, wetsuits, and even pay travel expenses. Yet the girls remain down to earth and realistic. They know how tough the surf competition world is and have plans for beyond that when the time comes. But for now they are riding the wave of a lifestyle that has them so in touch with nature. Watching and interpreting the weather, witnessing wildlife and seeing the world.

It’s time to also understand the commitment of the parents. These are young adults who still need supervision and love. Katkleen, over and over, used the word proud and terrific when talking about all three kids. She also stressed how proud she’s of Leaf for all he is doing. It is just another mom proud of the gift God has given her.

The sun is in the early morning sky, the seagulls are singing, rejoicing in the spectacle of the new day. The mist is out over the water and the waves are coming in sets that have potential to make this day another very special surf day. It is the gift that Montauk gives its surfers all season long and into the winter for the hardy all season surfers. For Ariel and Alexis Engstrom and for Quincy Davis, Montauk is their hometown, where they are from when their God given natural talent takes them around the world. After their names when they compete, it says the name of their hometown, Montauk, New York. They are proud to be from here and Montauk is proud of them.