SAN DIEGO — Eighteen-year-old San Dieguito High School Academy student, Titus Santucci began his surfing journey when he was just 9-years-old.
Santucci grew up in a surfing family, surfing alongside his parents as a little boy in Encinitas.
"My dad would push me in the waves and so did my mom. It was cool to bring me in the surfing world and teach me everything I knew," said Santucci.
After riding the waves for nine years and competing in numerous competitions, he received a call that would change his life. He qualified for the U.S. Junior National Surf Team out of hundreds who tried out from different leagues.
And he’s the first Filipino-American man in San Diego to do so.
"I'm super stoked to be the first male American on the team. It's super cool to represent my culture," said Santucci.
Two other San Diegans, Cole McCaffray and Lukas Owston, also made the team.
Titus’s mother, Irene Navarro, couldn’t be more proud of her son.
"Oh my gosh, I am so proud to see his hard work has paid off! Filipinos: we stick together! We stick like rice, you know," laughs Navarro. "And we support each other and we're all super stoked!"
"It's super important. It's cool to have the Filipino community and my family behind me," said Santucci.
They will be heading to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil later this month to compete in the International Surfing Association's Junior National Championship where surfers from more than 50 nations will be competing.
He’s hoping to raise money for his travels and other expenses in Brazil.
"We're trying to raise money for travel, food and other expenses since we don't get government help and so we can win the gold," said Santucci.
And his first choice for a snack when he hopefully takes home the gold? A Filipino delicacy of course.
"A nice, crispy lumpia with sweet and sour sauce is a good go to," laughs Santucci.
To help fundraise Santucci and his team as they head to Brazil, click here.
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