Part 3 of 3

The Gerhardts, sharing a tender moment at Mavericks. Photo courtesy of Mike Kitahara.

by Heidi Trilling

Mavericks! The name of Half Moon Bay’s imposing surf spot conjures up images of extreme athletes, epic swells and the possibilities of sharks and fierce wipeouts. It is considered one of the world’s most treacherous breaks.

But for big-wave parents Sarah and Mike Gerhardt, finding babysitters to cover a dawn-to-dusk surf session is the real Mavericks challenge!

“When our kids were babies, we would switch off: One of us on the beach with them, one on the waves,” Mike says. “But their attention spans were, like, 15 seconds! So we started getting babysitters, if we could. … Sometimes two or three people — like a relay — so Sarah and I could surf Mavs together.”

Sarah laughs. “That’s one of the toughest things about Mavericks for us now: the childcare!”

Parents of a 4-year-old son and 2-year-old daughter, the Gerhardts manage to keep up their industry-recognized surfing despite the joyful chaos of parenthood and the demands of full-time jobs. Sarah, 35, a former chemistry instructor at Cabrillo College, now works in pharmaceutical sales. Mike, 42, is a superintendent at Santa Cruz County Builders. They’ve been surfing Mavericks together for over 10 years, and have been either contestants or alternates in a number of the Mavericks Surf Contests.

Sally Lundburg filming Mike Gerhardt for the documentary "One Winter Story." Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Pepin.

“It’s the Mount Everest of big wave paddle surfing, for sure,” Mike says. “Sarah and I really paid our dues surfing Sunset Beach, Waimea and the outer reefs of Oahu’s North Shore before we got to Mavs. So, I hoped we could handle being caught inside by giant surf. … But Mavericks has its reputation for a reason. … It’s the heaviest wave we’ve ever surfed. … It’s mentally taxing.”

It’s physically taxing, too.

Both Gerhardts have suffered a hair-raising list of injuries: dislocated shoulders and knees, torn rotator cuffs and bicep tendons, a bevy of flesh wounds and scars, split lips and knocked-out teeth. Most recently, both Mike and Sarah had surgery for surfer’s ear — in both ears. But like true warriors, they recuperate  as quickly as possible, snap the kids into their car seats and head back to Mavs.

“If you’re caught under those Mavericks swells, you really need to have good lung capacity,” says Jason Camara, chemistry instructor at Cabrillo College, and Sarah’s former colleague. “Sarah has asthma, but she has never let that stop her. She has found ways to strengthen herself that allow her to perform at the levels she wants to attain. … She and Mike are amazing athletes, able to focus and get into ‘the zone.’ ”

Sarah says: “When you’ve got your body working under extreme stress in a situation that can be fearful, but your mind can transcend the body’s alarm system, be calm and focus — that’s the zone. It’s a marriage of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. … And I’m sure there’s a neurotransmitter-chemical thing going on, too … like an addiction. A healthy one! And that’s why I love it so much!”

Sarah’s love for surfing began when she was a self-taught adolescent and led her, in 1999, to be the first woman to surf Mavericks. Media adulation soon followed. In 2005, she made another historic charge, by being the first pregnant woman to surf Mavs.

An iconic portrait of Sarah Gerhardt. Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Pepin.

This happy news came at the tail end of filming One Winter Story, a moving biographical documentary of Sarah’s journey from wrenching childhood poverty to an adulthood blessed with achievement.

Independent filmmakers Sally Lundburg and Elizabeth Pepin of Frank Films — accomplished surfers themselves — created One Winter Story as a lyrical narrative. Shot on nostalgic Super 8 and 16 mm film stocks, it is a compelling pastiche of photographs, footage, narration and hypnotic music. It won a host of indie film festival awards. The DVD is available for purchase on the Frank Films Web site.

In the sea of male-dominated surf documentaries, One Winter Story celebrates Sarah as the lady in the lineup who carved the way for other women to surf Mavericks waves. It is also a loving tribute to Sarah’s mother, Nancy, who gave her daughter the triple gifts of spiritual strength, perseverance and passion.

“My ability to surf Mavericks and to overcome all the things that had to be overcome in order to surf a place like that really stems from my upbringing,” Sarah says. “I had a very strong mom as  a role model, and even though she was  in a wheelchair, she achieved so much. … She lived her life in victory and in overcoming more things than most people I know who can walk and take care of themselves. … My mom really taught me how to live, secure, no matter what anybody thinks. … She gave me my strength and my passion.”

It is this passion that Lundburg wished to capture in One Winter Story. “For me,” Lundburg says, “the real population of surfers are passionate amateurs, like Sarah, because they strive for balance, rather than just athletic excellence. … They balance family, careers and the sport. … Well-rounded people are more inspiring to me.”

Yet, how can one balance dangerous big wave surfing with the responsibilities of parenthood back on shore?

Pepin answers: “Big waves are challenging and certainly could be dangerous, but for Sarah to give up what defines her as a person and brings her such great joy would actually take away from her being a really good, supportive mom.”

Lundburg adds: “Support is key! All three of us — Liz, myself and Sarah — have behind us pretty supportive partners! We could not have completed this film … and Sarah could not surf big waves with such a young family … without really amazing partners supporting us.”

Independent filmmakers Sally Lundburg (left) and Elizabeth Pepin. Photo courtesy of Ondine Gibbs.

In turn, Lundburg and Pepin have given their support to local non-profits by partnering with them to arrange free screenings of One Winter Story for youth audiences. At other screenings, portions of ticket sales benefited non-profit organizations including Save the Waves and The San Luis Obispo Women’s Shelter. Audiences responded enthusiastically to both the fundraising and to the unforgettable documentary, itself.

“Sarah has a quote in One Winter Story that has stuck with me to this day,” Pepin says. “It’s about everyone having limitations, but when you choose to live as though you don’t have limitations, you can accomplish incredible things. Whenever I’m feeling frustrated or down, I remember that quote and it inspires me to keep on trying to reach my goals and fulfill my dreams. I think this is why our film has appealed to a wide variety of people, not just surfers.”

Mike agrees. “Of course I knew Sarah’s story … but seeing it on film was an emotional experience for all of us. I think it’s impossible to watch it and not be affected by it. And inspired by it, too. … I’m inspired as a surfer, as Sarah’s husband, and as a parent.”

Sarah Gerhardt at Mavericks. Photo courtesy of Mike Kitahara.

Sarah says: “It was sometimes difficult going through all of those emotions from my childhood. … But Sally and Liz did a beautiful job with the film. … I’m honored to be a part of it.”

She continues: “My mom gave me so much, and I want to give our children the same strength and understanding. … We are so blessed to have them! … As for Mike: He’s a great partner, a cool dad, a phenomenal big wave surfer — far better than me! He’s my biggest supporter and my best friend.”

Mike responds: “Sarah’s amazing on those waves! I know she can handle anything out there — or anywhere else. She’s so strong, so positive. … She is the love of my life.”

Mike Gerhardt, contestant in the 2006 Mavericks Surf Contest. Photo courtesy of Ed Grant.

Filming "One Winter Story" from the cliffs at Mavericks. Pictured, from left: filmmaker Sally Lundburg, filmmaker Eric Nelson, photographer Don Montgomery, and photographer Lawrence Beck. Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Pepin.

Mike and Sarah Gerhardt at a post-Mavericks celebration. Photo courtesy of Mike Kitahara.