Special to The Beacon OCEANSIDE, Cal. — Brantley County High School alum Jason Latham is living his dream.
The 2007 graduate recently won a silver medal at the USA National Championships in Oceanside, Cal., earning a spot on the USA SUP (Stand Up Paddleboarding) Team.
“Thanks to USA Surfing for the great event and to all my support for making this one of the best trips to SoCal yet,” penned Latham on his Facebook page. “I’m stoked to take silver at the USA National Championships and officially qualify for the Team USA SUP Team. The result is great, but the real win is the growth out of the water.
“(I’ve been) working really hard on making the best decisions and focusing on physical and mental health as a top priority, and striving to reach my fullest potential as a person, father, husband and athlete.”
The SUP Team is comprised of athletes selected to represent the United States in various international SUP competitions, including the ICF World Championships and the ISA World Championships. These athletes are chosen based on their performance in designated national selection events.
Latham was born in American Samoa and moved to the U.S. as a baby with his parents. His dad was American and grew up surfing with Latham’s uncle near Slater’s hometown of Cocoa Beach, Fla.
Latham, who grew up in Nahunta and went to Brantley County High School, was introduced to surfing by his dad and uncle.
Of his five siblings, he being the youngest, Latham was the only one who grew up in the U.S. After graduation, burdened to learn about his Samoan heritage, he moved to American Samoa to live with his mother’s family, whom he stayed with for three years.
Latham also thanked his wife, Jesse Johns Latham, for her support.
“Thank you so much to my amazing wife, Jesse, for always being by my side and seeing the best in me throughout these 20+ years,” he said.
Latham left south Georgia after his graduation, burdened to learn about his Samoan heritage. He moved to American Samoa to live with his mother’s family, whom he stayed with for three years.
“It’s been a true honor to represent and I’ll never forget my roots of being born on the beautiful island of American Samoa, and growing up on the rural dirt roads of Brantley County, Georgia,” he said. “Self-belief and healing is real and possible for anyone seeking out and it’s never too late to be the best version of yourself.”
