Succop played with his favorite toy, the one he’s trying to use to earn a living with the Kansas City Chiefs. If football doesn’t pan out, Succop added two new toys to his collection — a surfboard and wetsuit.
Without the wetsuit, Succop wasn’t about to walk into the chilly Pacific Ocean and paddle out for some waves.
Succop is Mr. Irrelevant XXXIV, but the 22-year-old is not crazy.
“Is there a wetsuit?” Succop asked.
Nearby, Melanie Salata-Fitch, the person chaperoning the 256th pick from the University of South Carolina for the last day, quipped, “He won’t last long” without one.
Rather than risk the cold waters, Succop waited for someone to hand him a wetsuit.
Before Succop surfed for the first time, he needed lessons. Surfing is dangerous, unlike what Succop is accustomed to in his sport.
The kicker, most of the time, is on the sideline during a football game. A player is more likely to crash into Succop on the sideline than on the field.
Succop learned there’s contact in surfing, too. He experienced many wipeouts Thursday. The water is more forgiving.
For safety reasons, the professional instructor kept Succop away from rocks and real surfers. The instructor taught Succop the best way possible.
Remember, he dealt with a kicker.
That was evident when Succop practiced his slick moves on the sand. The basics looked relatively easy, paddling out with his arms and then popping up on the board.
The stance is what Succop struggled with and his board was stuck in the sand, nowhere near the water. Succop bent his knees, held his arms in front for balance, a stance more suited for a middle linebacker before a snap.
For Succop, it was time to tackle the ocean and its one-foot waves.
Two minutes on the sand was enough training. Succop was eager. Paige Cooper, his girlfriend, worried about his safety and sharks.
