Water
The Central Coast is home to some of the most diverse surf spots in California. Take a closer look into the life of local surfers, and the frightening amount of sharks spotted in the area over the past year.
Charlie Umansky is a business student at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and has been surfing since he was nine years old. He is apart of the Cal Poly surf team, and has competed in almost 15 different competitions in the past four years. “Surfing is the only real way for me to escape from reality you know? Umansky said. Once I get in the water I get to leave all the stress and bullshit life throws at me back on the beach and just relax.”
Two months ago Umansky partially tore his MCL after catching a six foot wave at Shell Beach, and slamming his knee on his surfboard. After having a check up this past week, his doctor told him to wait another seven days before getting back in the water, but Charlie has other plans. 
Not only has a doctor forewarned Charlie to stay away from the water, but he is also being lectured by his mother as well. Occupational Therapist Amy Umansky arrived for homecoming weekend and gave Charlie a piece of her mind. “I’m an occupational therapist in Costa Mesa, and I’ve told him over and over to rest up for just a little longer, but God knows how well he listens to me,” said Mrs. Umansky. 
Charlie has missed the past two surf contests because of his injury, which has been a big set back for his team. Senior economics student Adam Kaufman is Umanksys teammate as well as his roommate, and described Umanksy missing the past two contests. “It’s a huge bummer because now he can’t hang out with the team and compete for us. He was instrumental to team unity and our family.” Said Kaufman. “We don’t do as well in contests without him and he is missed on the beach. He’s also a huge kook so he’s fun to have around.” 
Today Umansky returns to the same beach where he suffered his injury and decides that he’s waited long enough to get back in the water. The waves are crashing at four to five feet today, but Umansky is looking past any signs that mother nature may be giving him to not get back in the water. 
Umansky stretches his injured knee before taking his first steps back into his element. “It’s still pretty tight.” Said Umansky. I think the adrenaline will kick in and the pain will probably go away once I paddle out. These are perfect conditions to get back to it.”
Charlie catches his first wave in two months, and does it with ease. He continues to catch set after set for nearly an hour before paddling back towards the beach. He falls on a couple waves, but hops back on his board and shows no sign of slowing down.
Umansky’s Smile says it all as he steps out of the water for the first time and back onto the beach. “Did you see those first few? Damn it feels good to get back out there again, yew!” Charlie says that he will rest for the next few days, but thinks that his knee is close to full strength so there is no reason not to be back in the water every morning this week.
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