Encinitas City Council officially recognized the continuing dominance of the San Dieguito Academy High School Surf Team on Feb. 11. Mustang surfers, who are undefeated this season, received an official proclamation from Mayor Bruce Ehlers, honoring the team for its “embodiment of surf culture, respect for the beach and love of the ocean.”
The proclamation paid tribute to the San Dieguito Surf Team’s deep legacy that goes back to the 1940s, fostering surf legends such as Linda Benson, Don Hansen, Cori Schumacher and Rob Machado. In council chambers that night, the team was represented by just a few of the squad’s current talent roster, including Dane Libby, Jett Maughan, Sawyer Southern and Victoria Duprat.
A group of volunteers helps to teach young surfers the beauty of the sport and coaches “install the importance of being a good steward of the ocean and Samaritan of the community.” Local businesses also get involved by offering support through sponsorships.
In handing over the proclamation, Ehlers said the Encinitas City Council was proud to recognize the team for its “enduring legacy, its commitment to surf culture, ocean stewardship, community service and for shaping not only skilled surfers but grounded, respected and compassionate individuals who carry forward the values of the ocean, the environment and humanity itself.”
San Dieguito’s Division 1 and 2 teams have gone undefeated on the 2025-26 season. For the first time in history SDA is also fielding a Division 3 team which is also undefeated on the year with the last contest coming up on March 7.
SDA put in a strong performance at the team’s last Division 1 and 2 contest in Ocean Beach on Feb. 22. In the shortboard, Jett Maughan placed second, Julian Thakkar placed fourth and John John Chan finished in sixth. Luca Sinopoli took third in longboard. On the women’s side, Riley Crescenzo was third in longboard and in shortboard, Mikayla Abadie placed second and Delilah Lewis finished in fourth.
San Dieguito will defend its 2025 Scholastic Surf Series title at the High School State Championships March 21-23 at Oceanside South Jetty.