Category Archives: Athletes

This is Us: Surfing Safari

May 23, 2012, 10:40 am • Posted by Becca King Reed
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For this episode we went aboard the O’Neill Sea Odyssey in the Santa Cruz Harbor. It’s a 65-foot catamaran on which kids get to take a field trip they’ll never forget - a science cruise on Monterey Bay. You’ll learn more about this educational adventure during the show.

We also met the man behind the sea odyssey program, Jack O’Neill, a surfing icon and innovator who is also credited with the invention of the wetsuit.

And we visited the Stradivarius of surf board shapers, Doug Haut. Doug has been shaping boards for 50 years. He's another Santa Cruz legend.

Finally we went to class – surf class that is- with veteran big wave surfer Richard Schmidt. A former Santa Cruz lifeguard, Schmidt made his reputation riding huge waves on Hawaii’s North Shore and now he’s teaching just about anyone how to surf.

Filed under: Artists, Athletes, Full Episode, Innovators

Profile: Big Wave Surfer, Richard Schmidt

May 8, 2012, 9:26 am • Posted by Becca King Reed
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John Gregg, Steve Kern and the TiU crew spent a day at Richard Schmidt's surf school (Nice work if you can get it!) in Santa Cruz.

Schmidt is legendary big wave surfer, who shares his passion with others who dream of riding the waves. He has perfected an unusual teaching technique. He surfs alongside his students, and when the moment is right, Schmidt reaches over, pulls them to their feet
and - bing-bang - they're catching a wave. You can see Richard in action in the story above.

This piece is part of a special surf edition of This is Us airing at 7pm on May 23rd, shot aboard the O'Neill Sea Odyssey catamaran.

Filed under: Athletes

Profile: Gavin Emmons and Alacia Welsh

November 18, 2011, 4:00 pm • Posted by Edward Gilbert
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Profile on biologists, Gavin Emmons and Alacia Welsh. Emmons and Welsh work for the National Park Service and their office is often the cliffs and rock face at the Pinnacles National Monument. Their duties include feeding, watching and monitoring the California Condors and Prairie and Paragon Falcons along with tracking the birds. The Condor program at the Pinnacles plays a vital role in trying to save these magnificent birds.

Filed under: Athletes, Scientists, Women in Science
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Profile: Russell Baze, Jockey

November 18, 2011, 2:32 pm • Posted by Edward Gilbert
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Russell Baze is the "winningest" jockey in the history of thoroughbred horse racing in North American. He is also a member of the United States Racing Hall of Fame.

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