Enduring traditions start with a signature event. This one occurred in June at a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Encinitas Boardriders, when they decided to start the tradition of honoring a club member as the “Rider of the Month”. Leading off that tradition is Super Grom Dane Libby, Rider of the Month for June, 2024.
I met Dane and his Mom, Merrilee, at Seaside Reef, Cardiff State Beach, for an interview and photo shoot. I found him to be a soft-spoken and humble 16-year old, which is pretty cool considering his awesome talent on a surfboard. He has been surfing since about the age of 10 and credits his Dad and cousin for getting him into the sport.
Dane Libby – 2024 Nationals NSSA Open Mens Division
When the surf is up, you will find Dane riding the waves for four to six hours a day at his favorite surf break, Seaside. All this time on a board has turned him into an awesome competitor. This year alone he won NSSA Nationals for Southwest Open Mens Division, the Scholastic Surf Series, CA State Championship, the NSSA Southwest Open Juniors Division, and he was a member of the San Dieguito Academy High School’s National Champion Surf Team. He has had some help along the way as he is being coached by Encinitas Boardriders veterans Darrell Goodrum and Taylor Clark.
As it turned out, conditions for our photo shoot were not ideal to say the least. The waves were decent sized, but the ocean was pretty messed up. When Dane paddled out I wasn’t sure whether I would get any good action shots to add to those I already had of him in my archive. But then I stood there watching him catch wave after wave and throwing amazing aerials off each of them. I imagine there are a lot of riders who can do that under good conditions, but I could tell that Dane was performing at a different level. He told me he would like to turn pro someday and make a career out of surfing. What I witnessed today makes me think that he has a pretty good shot.
I think the Board of Directors made an excellent decision in choosing Dane Libby to kick off the Rider of the Month tradition. Given the depth of talent and character of the club members, they will have no trouble turning this into one that endures the test of time.
Written and photos by: Nicholas Paoni
