The 2022 Playa Bowl Surf Team Makes a Splash

Hey there, Playa Fam–

If you were part of our journey last year, you likely remember when we announced the first ever Playa Bowl Surf Team. We were stoked, and you rode the wave of excitement with us.

Well, the Playa Bowl Surf Team is back for another season with many familiar names, and a few new ones. Are you ready to meet the team? Here’s the lineup with a few fast facts.

Ben Gravy: 

Returned Playa Bowl Surf Team 2021

First paddle: 8 years old

Also known for: His YouTube account

IG: @BenGravyy

Fun fact: He recently rode waves in Minnesota (yeah, that’s a thing).

Cruz Dinofa

Returned Playa Bowl Surf Team 2021

First paddle: 3 years old

Also known for: Making headlines in wave pools

IG: @CruzDinofa

Fun fact: This grom is not even a teenager yet and he’s already a pro surfer!

Rob Kelly

Returned Playa Bowl Surf Team 2021

First paddle: 10 years old

Also know for: Numbskulls surf

IG: @RobKellySurf
Fun fact: He rode the wave created by a ferry’s wake last year (you can watch the video)

Thomas Ihnken

Returned Playa Bowl Surf Team 2021

Been surfing for: 20 years

Favorite surf spot: Bay Head, NJ

IG: @thomas_ihnken

Fun fact: He loves the Dragonberry Pitaya Bowl

Sam Hammer

Returned Playa Bowl Surf Team 2021

First paddle: 6 years old

Also known for: Hammer Surf School

IG: @hammered_sam

Fun fact: He starred in the documentary Under an Arctic Sky

Casey Kwiecinski

Returned Playa Bowl Surf Team 2021

First paddle: 13 years old, with her twin Jessica

Also known for: Being Playa Bowl’s social media manager

IG: @caseykwiecinski

Fun fact: She’s also sponsored by Body Glove

Jessica Kwiecinski 

Returned Playa Bowl Surf Team 2021

First paddle: 13 years old (the initiator)

IG: @jessicakwiecinski

Fun fact: Last year she was in the 2021 Sea Hear Now Festival in Asbury Park

Kepa Mendia

New to the Playa Bowl Surf Team 2022

Also known for: Making headlines at Pipe Masters

IG: @k_epic_mendia_

Fun fact: Yes, he is the son to famous wave chaser Peter Mendia

Mia Gallagher

New to the Playa Bowl Surf Team 2022

First paddle: 10 years old

Also known for: Being on the U18 USA Junior Olympic Surf Team

IG: @miagallaghersurf

Fun fact: She’s also a Jetty ambassador!

Brynn Gallagher

New to the Playa Bowl Surf Team 2022

Also known for: Being on the U18 USA Junior Olympic Surf Team

IG: @brynngallaghersurf

Fun Fact: She’s an NSSA Open National Champion

Balaram Stack

New to the Playa Bowl Surf Team 2022

First paddle: 5 years old

Also known for: Growing up on the shores of Long Beach, NY

IG: @_balaram

Fun fact: He was first discovered by Quiksilver at a surfing camp in Montauk back in 2004

From the East Coast to West Coast, you can catch all of our surfers on the ‘Gram and in the water. We’ll be doing special Playa Bowl events throughout the year where you’ll have the opportunity to hang ten with our team.

Be sure to keep a lookout for #PlayaBowlsSurfTeam and stay up to date with where the waves take us @PlayaBowls