Testimonials

Dear Surf Camp,

For the past few years, I have wanted to learn how to surf. I would watch anyone, from amateurs to professional surfers on TV. The pictures in magazines of everyday people surfing made me want to surf more than anything else in the world. When my dad offered to let me go to Surf Camp, I took the offer without a doubt. I was thrilled and absolutely excited.

Throughout my week at your camp, I had a great time. I remember how good it felt when Joel praised me on my awesome pop-ups, even though we were only on land. I couldn't wait to get out on the water and be able to stand. Eventually we paddled out and it was my turn to ride the wave. The rush of emotions I felt when the wave picked the board up and pushed me to shore was incredibly fulfilling. Even though I didn't stand on my first try, I couldn't wait to go out again. I tried again and again, but that day, I just couldn't stand up and ride a wave all the way to shore. I was a little disappointed, but I kept telling myself that I would not leave this camp unless I rode at least one wave successfully.

By the third day, I was having a real hard time standing up. Often times, I would lose my balance almost immediately after my pop-up. The frustration was starting to get to me. I was afraid that I would never stand up. My biggest fear was that I might not have a love for surfing like I had hoped. But the confidence that Joel and the other Surf Camp instructors had in me never faltered. They believed that I had it within me to be a surfer.

The next day, Joel got a 9-foot board just for me! I was stoked! That day, Joel took me out on a one to one basis and for the first time all week, I stood up and rode a beautiful wave all the way to shore. It was the greatest feeling ever. Being able to achieve that after so much perseverance and faith from all the instructors, made me so proud. What's more, I gained so much more confidence in myself. I have learned that to achieve something, I must believe in myself and I must never give up.

At your camp, I not only learned to surf and have a good time, but I also learned about marine life. I realized just how important it was to take care of our environment. I know have a new appreciation for the ocean and all its beauty. I'd like to thank everyone from that session for giving me so much confidence in something I found difficult to do. The good times I had singing in the van, making new friends and stuffing my face with as many fries as possible, will always be cherished.

Thank you,
Reena B.
Oak Ridge, TN

Dear Surf Camp,

When school's out and summer vacation begins, Surf Camp is the one thing I look forward to the most! Even though this will be my third year participating, I still haven't lost any interest in your program. There is always something new. The first year I participated in your program I was super impressed. The second year I was even more impressed.

The one thing I like about Surf Camp is, not only do you have a fun learning experience surfing; you have fun when you're not surfing by just hanging with the instructors. When I'm at Surf Camp I feel like I'm a true surfer. Not just from the surf sessions, but also from all the other fun activities we do.

Surf Camp isn't any ordinary camp; it's in-fact very original. If you're a surfer and want to hang with a "surferish" group of guys and girls, Surf Camp is the only place to be.

When my dad came to pick me up, I didn't want to leave. Even though I was tired and had the words "party exhausted" written all over my face, I still wanted to stay another week.

Every morning you'd wake up, have a nice, tasty breakfast at the university cafeteria, and then suit up for an afternoon of non-stop fun and surfing. After your afternoon surf session, you'd go back to the dorms and hang out with friends and instructors before doing a night out on the town.

After dinner, you'd head back to the dorms to watch surf movies, play Ping-Pong, or, if you're smart, you'd' hit the sack.

To me Surf Camp is like a summer vacation; I only wish it'd last longer. Every instructor is fun to be around and everyone's real cool to each other. If you're new and interested in surfing, Surf Camp is the place to be. If you've had a little experience and want to improve, Surf Camp is the place to be. If you're bored and want to have a great summer, Surf Camp is the place to be. See you again this summer!

Thanks Again, Tim A.

Dear Surf Camp,

The sea was sky blue in my mind I am sure it was darker in truth, navy blue, cobalt blue, steel blue, dark crashing waves. But in my mind it was light and seamless, even the creases of the sea were smooth and quiet, marching in silently and steadily, crashing on the shore, wave after wave, and like the ticking of a clock, the dull monotone regulation of the beat of the waves makes one believe in the quiet and peace of the seashore.

There were many things on my mind when I showed up to the beach, when I drove down the Causeway and up and down Wrightsville Beach, and stopped in a grocery to ask directions. Many unspoken things, hurtful things, grievous things, working through my mind, but by grace they were for more than a day left behind, like the wall of thunderheads that circled the beach, 270 degrees, covering all but the patch of sunshine over the surfing spot.

They told me I had gone to far, had to get back on the Causeway. I had thought the surfshop, in my mind, would be right on the beach, but found the group and the van and began the camp.

In retrospect, the patience of the instructors was very helpful to me. I recall an earlier lesson, the instructor teaching us, then leading us carefully on our boards into the surf. I expected him to stop and instruct us, show us what to look for and encourage us, but a wave came, he broke around, jumped, crouched down, and shot past, leaving us to fare for ourselves.

The finest moment was watching Andy surf: he was professional--head stands, spins, walks, riding the waves from first to last, from the top the tiniest eddy of a wave, making the turns, riding it out. In was a picture of grace. One could hear some Beach Boy's songthen, "Surfing Safari" or something similar, and here and there people were lying under the umbrella or a man with hairs on his chest was stretching, or there a person was using sunscreen, or someone walking on the beach.

I wasn't at the start so successful. There is an amount of trial in learning any sport and it took me more than my share to get going. I fell. I sprained my ankle, I burned my face. But I got the gist of it. I caught the cusp of the wave, I found the seam, I rode it out. And there were brief moments of no great precision, of no great style or skill or talent or sang froid, that I found what I needed to keep going and to keep inspired.

I believe in the end the epiphany, the joy of surfing is not the standing up, the ride, the falling off, the triumph is the moment before you start, when you sense in your beingthatsomething imminent and strong and mighty and silent and unstoppable will pick you up and carry you. You understand it. You hear it. You feel it. Before the thunder, before the moment of trial and truth, before the truce. A distant word comes from Mike somewhere clear of the waves, behind the waves, saying "Pop up!", "Pop up!" And then at once, effortless, and understated, it lifts you and carries you. And in the end, the only question might be, "did I have the courage to stand."

We left, the waves still breaking, crashing, somewhere crushing rock to sand, periodically, methodically, persistently, wave after wave.

by Dale Mobley

Dear Surf Camp,

What's up in North Carolina? I'm here in Denver wishing I was back surfing the waves (instead of surfing the snow!). Surfing with you was awesome and I can't wait to be back this summer. I know that I will never forget the moment I finally got up on the board.
My grandparents live in North Carolina and when they found out about Surf Camp, they thought we might be interested. My brother, my sister, and I, weren't sure we wanted to do the camp at first. I had never surfed before and as you can probably imagine, I waspretty scared. I personally thought it wasn't going to be very fun, but when I finally decided I'd give it a shot, it turned out to be one of the best things I have ever done!!

I have always wondered what it would be like to surf, but coming from the mountains of Colorado, I didn't know very much about the ocean. What about sharks and undertow??!! I was pretty scared when I got to surf camp, but then you guys told me that shark attacks are very rare because sharks don't usually target humans - in fact most shark encounters are accidental. This made me feel a lot better about surfing and took a lot of weight off my shoulders. I also learned about how to get out of an undertow and about why they occur.

I had never been out in the water more than about 30 feet. I am so glad you took me out farther because now I can go out as far as my dad and my brother can. I also learned that it would be better to swim under the waves instead of letting them push me back to the beach!

I recommend Surf Camp to anyone looking for a great experience! The instructors are awesome!

Sincerely,

Kelly A.

Dear Surf Camp,

I had not planned on writing a testimonial for Surf Camp until I watched Riding Giants. I know I will never be a Laird Hamilton but the fact that I know the feeling of catching a wave made me feel at least in part of the surfer world.

Thanks Surf Camp for opening the door to a huge world of waves

Tyler L. Wilmington NC

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