Testimonials

Dear Surf Camp,

For the entire week we had fun competitions, many surfing sessions, and trips to an aquarium, a marsh, and even a great turtle hospital! We learned alot about marine biology as well as surfing.

When I came to Surf Camp I had very little experience on a surfboard, but after only two days with these great instructors, I could already stand up very well and even began to go sideways down the wave some. I not only learned surfing technique, but also safety (which made my Mom feel alot better about me surfing).

There were several great things about my experience. I met two great new friends, one from Arizona, and one from Chicago. People were there from all over the place. That's how great this Surf Camp is - my roommate was actually from Canada! He didn't speak English very well and I didn't speak French, so that was really interesting!

My trip to Surf Camp was great! Surf Camp is fun and it is educational. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to learn to surf. As a matter of fact, I did recommend it to my friends. Two of them came back with me to the week long day camp last summer! We had a great time!

Your fellow surfer,


Mike N. - Rockingham NC

Dear Surf Camp,

I was twelve and my Dad had decided it was time for me to go to my first sleep away camp. I was scared, but I knew my Dad wasn't going to give up, so I decided to try a surf camp. When my Dad showed me the web site for “Surf Camp, Wrightsville Beach, NC” I thought it looked like a lot of fun.

My mom and I got in the car with my dog and started to drive up to North Carolina. When I got to the camp, I saw a bunch of the kids getting out of a van in front of the dorm where we were going to be staying. I knew one thing right away, I had to get my mom to help me get my suitcases up to my room, and then get her out of there, otherwise I would probably try to leave with her; I was so nervous. That’s when I met Kenny, he helped us get my suitcase up to my room. As I was unpacking my suitcase into a dresser in the room I had been assigned, my room mate walked in with her mom. We bonded right away, we had lots of things in common!

The orientation was where I got to meet all the kids and counselors. That was the day we got to go the beach and just hang out, and body board. I remember getting in the water in front of our spot on the beach and getting out at least two or three blocks down the beach and walking all the way back, shivering because it was cloudy and windy out. That night was dinner at Flaming Amy’s Burrito Barn; the name had me a bit home sick, Amy is my mom’s name! But I soon forgot about everything as I sat at a table with a bunch of the girls from camp and watched some of the guys have a hot sauce competition, turning redder and redder, then drenching themselves in milk.

The next morning at seven, groggy-eyed, and mumbly I hauled myself out of bed and into the bathroom to get ready for breakfast. Twenty minutes later we all left to go to breakfast, then to the beach for our first day surfing. When we got to beach we went across the street to a bay first to practice paddling and duck dives before we went out in the ocean. When we finally got over to the beach, I went out with Kenny and after one belly ride and a knee ride, I caught my first wave! It must have been beginners luck, because try as I might the rest of the day I just couldn't seem to do it again.

Everyone was looking forward to the day we would get to go to Masonboro Island, and the day was finally here. We went in the vans to a town near the island, and took a pontoon boat out from there. When we got there we carried the boards to the other side of the island, set up the tents, and ran for the water with our boards. When they called us in for lunch, we were starving, and practically swallowed our subs whole. Then we got back in the water for another two hours of surfing before it was time to head over to the other side of the island for a seining demonstration. All too soon, it was time to leave again.

Wednesday morning would be the day we were going to see the turtles. We surfed all morning and had lunch, and headed back to the beach as usual. But the afternoon would be different; we packed up our stuff and headed for the Sea Turtle Hospital. We went through in two groups, then all sat together for a discussion with the founder of the hospital. Then we headed back to the dorms to hang out and get ready for dinner.

Day five, another beach bum day! Breakfast, beach, and lunch, then more surf. We were really getting good, a few of us still needed a bit of work though, and this was our last chance to get good before the competition day. We worked hard all morning and afternoon, stopping only when we couldn't paddle anymore. Finally at the end of the afternoon we packed up and went for a visit to the surf shop. Then it was back to the dorm to get ready for a farewell dinner at a cool Italian restaurant.

On the final day we woke up and got ready for a day of surfing. When we got to the beach we played some games, there was a heated game of Frisbee going on. When it was finally time to hit the water, we couldn't wait; it was time to show everybody what we could do. I caught a total of 8 waves, a record for me. The winner of the competition caught about 17. All too soon, it was time to head back, shower up, pack up, and hand in our rash guards in exchange for a “surftificate of excellence”.

An hour later kids started leaving for the airport and parents started to arrive. Roommates hugged and promised to e-mail, and new friends promised to IM each other. Soon we were all headed back to where we came from.

As I sat in the car headed out of North Carolina, my mom couldn't get me to stop talking about how much fun I'd had at Surf Camp. After talking to mom and dad they agreed I could get a surfboard, I was ecstatic! I couldn't wait to get better so I could go back next year.

Aubrey K.

Dear Surf Camp,

On my flight to Wilmington, I wondered how good my experience at Surf Camp would be. Having had my mom’s car overheat in the middle of New York City at 5:30 a.m. on our way to the airport just a few hours earlier, it already wasn’t going as well as I’d hoped. Things got even worse when I nearly missed my connecting flight due to some last minute gate changes. However, once I finally arrived, and was safely under the care and supervision of the camp staff members, things began to run very smoothly. I knew that the staff had planned for the potential hectic airport pickup months in advance, and it was evident by the speed and efficiency with which they managed to gather all of the incoming campers together.

After meeting the rest of the campers at the local Surf City, we began the long drive to Cape Hatteras. Being that I’d gone to the camp without knowing anyone, I assumed it would be the most awkward five hours I’d ever spend. Instead, I got to know a lot of the campers in my van very well, as well as some of the counselors. I found people had come from all over the country: Florida, Massachusetts, Illinois, even Washington State. It was a great mixture of people, and already I had completely forgotten about all of the problems I had earlier that morning.

When we finally got to the campgrounds, the staff members got us situated in our nifty cabins, laid down some basic rules, and then led us to the beach for a memorable bonfire. We made s’mores and broke the ice with all of the other campers that we really hadn’t met yet. The next morning we woke up to a gourmet breakfast, compliments of the campsite café—another thing I hadn’t expected.

However, the crew wasted no time getting us to the beach, so after changing into our swim trunks, off we went for our first session. Once we were all given a board, we made our way down to the beach and practiced some basic popup drills and safety on land, so we’d be masters in the water. I couldn’t believe how great the waves were. Unlike the harsh New Jersey waves I was used to, which break at the beach, these waves rolled right into the shore, perfect for beginners like myself. I was having so much fun just being in the water that it was an hour before I realized I was actually riding the waves.

The fun wasn’t just in the water either. When we came in to take a break, we all hung out under the tents, played beach football, frisbee, and ate some of the best tasting subs on the face of the earth.

All throughout that week we traveled around and surfed different spots along the Outer Banks, but we also did more than just surf. We went to the lighthouse, where we learned
how they managed to move it inland, as well as climb to the top. We also went seining in the sound, ate at some great restaurants, and checked out an impressive aquarium. We even went to a campfire where were given a history of the area, and told some spooky ghost stories.

Even hanging out at the campsite was a blast—there was a pool, rentable big wheels to ride, and a big cookout on the last night of camp. The camp was the absolute perfect way to cap off my summer. I learned an amazing new sport, had a wonderful vacation, and made a bunch of new friends, many of whom I still keep in contact with, even eight months later.

The Surf Camp staff was amazingly friendly and prepared for anything, even when I found out that I had mistakenly ordered tickets to fly home the day after camp ended—the day the big hurricane of the year was due to hit. Without missing a beat, they called my mom, assured her they’d get me home no matter what, and got me on the plane before the first rain drop fell.

The camp is great for anyone, from those who have never touched a board before, to those who have been surfing all their lives. When I arrived at La Guardia Airport later that night, I was sunburned, tanned, and so scruffy that it took a few seconds for my own mother to recognize me. But one thing was for certain. I was glowing with happiness, as was she when I told her, “That was the most awesome week of my life!”

Shaka,
Gig L.

Dear Surf Camp,

Surf Camp is AWESOME! That's the only word that comes close to describing it for me. There is no part of the week that I did not enjoy. The staff, other surfers, and activities were all amazing. Before coming to Surf Camp, I was nervous and unsure that I was capable of learning how to surf in only one week. After one day at Surf Camp, I not only knew I was going to be surfing, I was comfortable around the staff and had made friends that I will never forget.

I think that you have some of the greatest people for instructors at your camp. All of them have great qualities. They have a way with the surfers and help them loosen up and enjoy themselves. No matter what the topic is they always seem to find a way to crack me up. Thank you so much Chad and Keith for being crazy and fighting like little girls, Jen for your knowledge about so many things, David for your awesome music, Adam for being so nice, and Ryan for being so helpful. To Rick and all of the instructors, thank you for your passion and enthusiasm for the sport and for wanting to share your love of it with us.

My first year attending surf camp, I was going through a rough stage of my life. I had started to go down the wrong path. Going to Surf Camp helped me realize that I can be myself and still have fun. Surfing helped me find myself again and helped me get back on the right track. It also helped me learn to appreciate the ocean and its surroundings. I'm really thankful for all of the people who helped me at the camp who taught me how o surf. Not only is it something that has changed me as a person, but it is something I can carry with me throughout my life and share with others. Surf Camp is definitely an unforgettable experience!

MUCH LOVE,

Alyssa D.

Dear Surf Camp,

Last summer I was to have my grandson and his buddy for a weeks visit. My husband would be out of town, and it was up to a sixty year old grandma to entertain my two young dudes fourteen and fifteen. I was thinking art lessons, museum trips and then I saw your ad for Surf Camp. Before the boys arrived I signed them up for two days of lessons, not sure that I should commit to a week and later sorry that I hadn't. Those two days made their vacation and made Granny seem really cool!

I did give my grandson that art lesson later in the year, and the beautiful painting he did was of a surfer riding a wave.

Thank you, Mary Ann Priestley

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